As baby boomers get older and the demand for medical care increases, so does the need for qualified health care professionals. There are several reasons why a career in medical assisting is appealing, but what does it actually take to become a medical assistant? What training is available? And how long does it take? This article reviews medical assistant training and certification options.
Medical Assistant Training – Certificate vs. Associate Degree programs
There many arguments both for and against certificate and degree programs. The reality is that both provide adequate
medical assistant training to work in the field. Certificate programs focus on teaching career skills and have shorter time commitment – less than one year in most cases– allowing students to graduate and get into the workforce in less time. Associate degree programs teach the same job skills in the context of a more well-rounded education. These programs take longer to complete, but give better options for continuing education. No matter what program is chosen, it should prepare you for any professional certifications needed to work in your state.
Professional Certifications in Medical Assisting
California does not currently require medical assistants to be certified, however, many employers and malpractice insurance providers do. When determining whether or not you want to be certified it is important to consider these factors in addition to career growth, as many states do require medical assistants to be certified before they can train others. If you plan to become an office manager or supervisor, certification may be a necessary requirement.
A Medical Assistant can get certified as a Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) by American Medical Technologists/ Allied Health (AMT) and/ or National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT). Additional certifications include, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
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San Joaquin Valley College: Career Training in Temecula, CA
