Requirements to Become an MA

Aspirants are expected to meet specific eligibility criteria to be a medical assistant.

• You must have a GED (General Educational Development) or a high school diploma.
• Acquiring certification is not mandatory; however, some states and employers necessitate candidates to have a certification in order to work as a medical assistant.
• Communication skills, interpersonal skills, pharmacology, medical terminology, and knowledge of human anatomy are a must.

Enroll in an Accredited Medical Assistant School to Complete the Training

The first step towards your journey of becoming an MA is to enroll yourself into a medical assistant school accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or any other recognized body. Aspirants must take note of the fact that they won’t be considered eligible to appear for the certification exam of medical assistance if they complete their education from a non-accredited nursing school.

An accredited medical assistant school provides you 3 choices – diploma program, certificate program, and degree program (associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degree).

Complete Your Externship

An externship provides you an exposure to real-life clinical settings and an opportunity to get hands-on clinical training under the supervision of experienced medical professionals. You can complete your externship from a medical facility or a local clinic. An externship not only develops your skills but also helps you foster and grow your professional network, which, later on, can be leveraged to get a job.

Obtain Medical Assistant Certification

A certificate is an acknowledgment of your skills and knowledge about the domain. You can get any of the following five certifications listed by the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics). All these certifications are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies.

For obtaining the MA certification, candidates will have to qualify for the certification exam organized by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).

Prepare Resume and Cover Letter

In the era of fierce competition, it’s a herculean task to get your dream job. Nonetheless, an impeccable resume and cover letter can give you an edge over other job applicants.

The resume and cover letter must be short and snappy, highlighting all your qualifications and skills. Use appropriate healthcare industry terminology and keywords that grab the attention of the prospective employer. Ensure that your resume and cover letter have no spelling and grammatical errors.

Put in a little more effort and time to do research on the job you are applying for and the potential employer. Accordingly, customize your resume and cover letter to fit the job requirements. It will leave an excellent impression and showcase that you are genuinely interested in becoming a part of the organization.

Find the Right Job

Although many jobs are available for medical assistants in the USA, landing the right job being a fresher is quite tricky. Sometimes, simply applying for a job with clinics and physician’s offices won’t work; you have to expand your job search. Here are a few tips to jump-start the hunt for your first medical assistant job:

• Stay active on professional platforms such as LinkedIn. Most of the recruiters, nowadays, post jobs opening there. You can join medical assistants groups and communities to keep an eye on recent job postings.
• Contact people (nurses, supervisors, physicians) from your professional network (that you built during externship) to seek job opportunities in their organizations.
• Prepare a list of organizations you want to work with. Research their websites and keep checking their “career” section regularly.
• Be a member of your local AAMA chapter to touch base with potential employers.
• Leverage your school’s/college’s placement services.
• Create an account and upload your resume on employment websites such as Indeed and Monster.

Be persistent with your efforts, and keep patience while searching for the medical assistant job.

Ace the Interview

Got an interview call? Voila! You have climbed the first step to get your dream job. But keep in mind that a few less-than-perfect answers may shatter your hopes. So, prepare yourself well for the interview.

Think of all the questions that are relevant to the role you have applied for and prepare their answers. Also, ponder about the value you can bring to the table for the employer. The interviewer may ask the following questions:

• Why do you want to pursue your career as a medical assistant?
• Have you ever worked on medical software?
• Do you know about HIPAA?
• How will you handle a difficult patient?
• How will you deal with stress?

These are some sample interview questions; you may also encounter several questions related to practice-specific, hard skills, and cultural fit. Another important thing to keep in mind while appearing for the medical assistant interview is – present yourself well.

• Dress professionally
• Make eye contact (do not stare) with the interviewer while answering the question
• Speak clearly and confidently
• Pay attention to your sitting posture
• Ask questions to the interviewer
• Thank the interviewer for the opportunity

Continue Education to Move Up the Career Ladder

You can broaden your horizons by pursuing advanced educational courses. It will not only add to your skills and knowledge but will also increase chances for promotion and career advancement in other medical fields.

Dental Assistant

Dental assistants are the essential members of the dental care team who assists dentists in various treatment procedures. From patient care and x-rays to scheduling appointments and recordkeeping, dental assistants perform varied tasks.

Dental Hygienist

Dental hygienists work to promote optimum oral health. They formulate a patient-centered dental care plan, educate patients regarding preventive oral care and oral hygiene, and evaluate the outcome of educational strategies.

Physical Therapist Assistants

Physical therapy assistants work with physical therapists to ensure overall wellness and fitness, relieve pain, and improve mobility in patients having movement difficulties due to disease or injury. From children to elderly, they provide care for patients of all ages.

Medical Records and Health Informatics Technician

These professionals organize and manage health-related data and information in both electronic systems and paper files. They ensure the quality, accessibility, accuracy, and security of data in compliance with the legal, regulatory, and ethical requirements of the healthcare system.

Phlebotomists

Phlebotomists perform venipuncture to draw blood from a patient for transfusions, donations, or medical testing. They may work in blood donation centers, doctors’ offices, nursing homes, clinical laboratories, etc.

Occupational Therapy Assistants

These are the medical professionals who help patients suffering from disabilities, injuries, and illnesses perform routine activities. They prepare and implement treatment plans for patients and monitor their progress. They help patients do stretches, exercises, and other therapeutic activities.

Licensed Practical Nurse

Licensed practical nurses work under the supervision of doctors and registered nurses to provide primary nursing care to patients. They take vital signs, assist patients in bathing and movement, administer medications, report any change in the health condition of patients to doctors, etc.

Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists in preparing and distributing medicines to patients. They may get employment in grocery stores, drugs, hospitals, and other medical settings.