1 Medical Assisting: The Profession Lesson 3: Certification and Career Opportunities for the MA

Lesson Objectives Upon completion of this lesson, students should be able to: Discuss the professional organizations that certify medical assistants. Identify career opportunities available to medical assistants, and give examples of areas in which you may choose to work.

Professional MA Certifying Organizations AAMA American Association of Medical Assistants AMT American Medical Technologists NCMA National Certified Medical Assistant NHA National Healthcareer Association

Critical Thinking Question Should medical assistants become certified, and if so why?

American Association of Medical Assistants National certifying agency Headquarters in Chicago, Illinois Offers CMA (AAMA) credentials Sponsors events to assist MAs in remaining current in their field

FIGURE 1-7 Becoming a Certified Medical Assistant may demonstrate your commitment to the profession and the continuing education required to maintain the CMA credential.

Critical Thinking Question What qualifies an individual to sit for the CMA exam?

AAMA Certification Exam Offered to graduates of programs accredited by CAAHEP or ABHES

AAMA Certification Exam Upon successful completion of certification examination, candidates receive a CMA (AAMA) certificate, which confirms them as certified medical assistants. To learn more about the AAMA Certification exam, click here or visit http://www.aama-ntl.org

American Medical Technologists Certifying agency for medical assistants, phlebotomists, medical technologists, medical administrative specialists, and dental assistants. Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) (AMT) credential awarded to candidates who pass AMT certification examination.

American Medical Technologists RMA certification examination parameters: General Medical Assisting Knowledge Administrative Medical Assisting Clinical Medical Assisting

FIGURE 1-8 The AMT provides a Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) certification for those who meet their requirements and pass a written exam.

Critical Thinking Question What would qualify an individual to take the AMT certification exam?

Qualifications for RMA Certification First – be of good moral character! Graduate of: MA program accredited by ABHES or CAAHEP OR; Post-secondary school or college accredited by the Regional Accrediting Commission OR; National accrediting organization approved by the U.S. Department of Education

Qualifications for RMA Certification Graduate must have completed a minimum of 720 clock-hours or equivalent of training in MA skills or formal medical services training in U.S. Armed Forces Applicant must also have recent MA experience

General Medical Assisting Knowledge Anatomy and Physiology Medical Terminology Medical Law Medical Ethics Human Rights Patient Education

Administrative Medical Assisting Insurance Financial Bookkeeping Medical Secretarial – Receptionist

FIGURE 1-5 Helping maintain accurate patient records is a critical part of the medical assistant's work. Hero Images/Getty Images

Clinical Medical Assisting Asepsis Sterilization Instruments Vital Signs Physical Examinations Clinical Pharmacology

Clinical Medical Assisting Minor Surgery Therapeutic Modalities Laboratory Procedures Electrocardiography First Aid

Certified Medical Administrative Specialist A medical assistant can apply to become a Certified Medical Administrative Specialist (CMAS) (AMT) through American Medical Technologists (AMA) organization. For more information on the AMT RMA certification exam and the CMAS AMT credential visit the website: http://www.amt1.com

National Center for Competency Testing Issues the National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) credential A candidate must have a high school diploma, have completed a medical assisting program, or documentation of two years experience. Continuation of certification requires 14 hours per year of continuing education

National Certified Medical Office Assistant NCMOA Offered by the National Center for Competency Testing Applicants for exam must have at least one year experience as an MA or be a graduate of an approved MA program For more information on the NCCT visit the website: http://www.ncctinc.com

National Healthcareer Association Founded in 1989 Grants the following two credentials: Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) To learn more about this organization visit http://www.nhanow.com

National Healthcareer Association Qualified applicant must: Be over 18 years of age Have a high school diploma Have two years of work in the field in which they certify Pass a professional examination To learn more about this organization visit http://www.nhanow.com

Critical Thinking Questions What do you think the job outlook in the future for MAs might be? What factors might impact the growth of the field of medical assisting?

Statistics on Jobs in Medical Assisting According to U.S. Dept. of Labor Statistics Employment expected to grow faster than average, ranking MAs among fastest growing occupations over 2010–2020 decade.

Statistics on Jobs in Medical Assisting According to U.S. Dept. of Labor Statistics Employment of MAs projected to grow 31 percent in decade following 2010. For more information on these statistics visit http://www.bls.gov/oco

Job Title Opportunities for MAs Data processing clerk Billing or collections assistant Insurance claims processor Clinic aide Unit clerk Patient care technician

Job Title Opportunities for MAs Insurance claims coder Medical records clerk Clinical assistant Medical receptionist Multifunctional technician

Job Title Opportunities for MAs With additional education and credentials: Medical laboratory assistant Electrocardiography (ECG) technician Phlebotomist Medical administrative specialist

Questions?