What do I need to become a Medical Administrative Assistant?

What courses do I need to take to become a surgical assistant?

• I'm going to a community college(going to transfer) to begin studying as a nurse...the college there has a program for an RN and others but I want to know what course should I take? It also have surgical technology...should I take that also to become a surgical assistant? College is kind of confusing!!

• Answer:

  Ok, first let me explain the difference between a surgical tech and a surgical assistant. A surgical tech is someone who is responsible for setting up the operating room prior to each surgery with the needed machines and equipment. They are responsible for maintaining proper sterilization and will pass tools to the surgeon and his assistant during surgery. On the other hand, a surgical assistant is someone who normally stands across from the surgeon and directly assists in performing the surgery. Surgical assistants are also called ‘first assistants’ and ‘second assistants.’ In other words, doing a 1 surgical technology program is not going to train you to be a surgical assistant. There are 3 recognized ways to become a surgical assistant. 1) Certified Surgical Assistant – People with experience in surgical technology can go to a CAAHEP accredited Surgical Assisting program (there are only 10 programs in the US and they last between 10 – 22 months). Afterwards, you can take a certification examination to become a CSA or CFA. Pros: This is the fastest way to become a Certified Surgical/First Assistant and it doesn’t require as much school. Cons: There are fewer job opportunities for people with this form of training. Insurance companies rarely recognize CSAs and not all states will recognize this qualification. Find an accredited CSA school - http://www.caahep.org/Find-An-Accredited-Program/ 2) Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant – After completing your RN, you will have to find work as a surgical/operating room nurse. After 2 years of OR work, you can certify to be a CNOR. From there you must attain a Bachelor degree (can be in any field) and take a Registered Nurse First Assisting course. After you complete this, you can take the exam to become a CRNFA. Pros: You will have very good job prospects. You can work in every state. Unlike a CSA, you can shift into other fields of nursing if you get bored of surgery (such as critical care nursing, family nursing). You can continue your education to become a nurse practitioner so you can treat patients and prescribe medication. Opportunities to work all over the world. Cons: Takes a long time. In some states which recognize CSAs, you will be competing for jobs and salary. How to become a CRNFA - http://www.cc-institute.org/cert_crnf.asp 3) Surgical Physician Assistant – There are two ways to become a surgical physician assistant. You can either go to a physician assisting school which offers a specialty in surgery or you can go into a surgical residency after graduating from a non-surgical physician assisting school. In order to become a physician assistant, you must normally have a Bachelor’s degree in any field. Pros: Lots of jobs opportunities. Residency and training programs are available to specialize (ex. Neuro surgery, Cardio surgery). As a PA you can move into other fields of medicine (such as Emergency Medicine or Family Medicine) if you get bored of surgery. You can treat patients and prescribe medicine on most states. Cons: PA school is more challenging to get into than the other schools. PA school is generally expensive and you can’t work while you study in order to offset the costs. A surgical PA program - http://main.uab.edu/Shrp/Default.aspx?pid=32650