There is a list of reasons which are important to receiving a certificate in medical assisting. Imagine putting challenging work into classes and exams but having nothing to show for it. That is how most employers will see a MA over a CMA (certified medical assistant). Being employed and getting a job is of the most importance in becoming a nationally credentialed medical assistant. After employment comes the pay rate and how likely it is to keep the job. CMA’s start with a higher pay rate and more likely to receive better positions, shifts and stability in their jobs over a non-certified medical assistant or MA.
The requirements for becoming a certified medical assistant are completing and graduating from a school. Pharmacology, medical terminology, patient relations, pathology, anatomy and physiology of the human body and coding are a few classes required to take a certification test. Every student must complete on the job training for a certain number of hours. These hours differ from state to state. Once the certification is obtained, every five years the certification must
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If the school is not accredited with ABHES or CAAHEP, Washington state accepts national and local organizations accredited with the U.S. Department of Education. To become a medical assistant, you must have no less than 720 hours of program material training and 160 hours of clinical or externship work. Once the schooling is complete and the above hours have been met, there is an exam that must be passed and renewed every five years to obtain the certificate. This can be acquired from either the American Association of Medical Assistants, American Medical Technologists, National Health- Career Association, or the National Center for Competency