How long does it take to become a medical assistant?

How Long Does It Take to Become a Medical Assistant?

  • Answer:

    A medical assistant is a vital member of many doctors' offices. They not only handle waiting-room and front-office duties, but they also assist physicians and nurses with a variety of procedures, ranging from administrative to hands-on care with a patient. Becoming a Certified Medical Assistant requires approximately a year's commitment, but it can take longer if you plan to specialize in a particular duty. Difficulty: Moderately Easy Instructions Find a medical assistant program that's accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools or the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. Enroll in and complete a medical assistant program. Complete the externship requirement. Pass the medical assistant certification test, which is administered by the National Board of Medical Examiners three times a year, in June, October and January. Pass the test to obtain your Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credentials. Apply for medical assistant positions in your state. Tips & Warnings Tip: Certification, training and requirements for practicing as a medical assistant may vary from state to state, so check on your state's requirements before beginning any training courses. Tip: Some people opt to specialize in a specific field, such as phlebotomy (drawing blood), opthamology (an ophthalmic assistant) and insurance (insurance billing). These specialty classes are typically offered at community colleges and can take one to two years to complete. Tip: The medical assistant certification test contains questions on a variety of areas and procedures, including pharmacology, first aid, medical law, accounting and laboratory procedures.

Nellie Day at eHow old Visit the source

Was this solution helpful to you?

Related Q & A:

Just Added Q & A:

Find solution

For every problem there is a solution! Proved by Solucija.

  • Got an issue and looking for advice?

  • Ask Solucija to search every corner of the Web for help.

  • Get workable solutions and helpful tips in a moment.

Just ask Solucija about an issue you face and immediately get a list of ready solutions, answers and tips from other Internet users. We always provide the most suitable and complete answer to your question at the top, along with a few good alternatives below.