Definition of Certified Medical Assistant and Industry Recognized Credentials

We introduce you to various medical assistant certification avenues and credentials and how to find a qualified vocational training program that leads to industry recognized medical assistant diplomas and degrees.

When doctors hire new medical assistants they often want someone who is certified with industry recognized credentials to assure the candidate fits seamlessly into their practice, can communicate efficiently with physicians, patients and other members of the health care team and has what it takes to handle clinical and administrative medical office skills safely, properly, and efficiently.

Most Employers Demand:
"We want CERTIFICATIONS before we hire!"

But HOW can medical assistant certification make such a big difference when certification for medical assistants remains largely voluntary and is NOT generally required to work as such in most places here in the United States?

Medical assistants in the USA can have many formal and informal titles and designations, ranging from certified, or registered medical assistant (CMA, or RMA), certified clinical, or certified administrative medical assistant (CCMA, or CMAA), medical office assistant, front desk medical assistant, back office medical assistant, doctor's assistant, advanced and specialty certified medical assistant (SCMA), student medical assistant (SMA), to simply medical assistant (MA). Regardless of titles, credentials and designations they are the undisputed heroes of a medical office whichever role they fill.

Medical Assistant Certifications and Credentials

Surely you must have noticed that there are so many more certified medical assistant jobs advertised when you check the classified ads for medical assistant jobs in your area.

Doctors can be quite particular and choosy in their expectations, especially because some have been burned badly by a previous employee and they don't want that to happen again. Where you will be dealing with people who are sick and have special needs and proper patient care, technical procedures and communication skills are essential, most of them set their standards high and specifically target their available positions toward medical assistants with formal training and recognized certifications only.

Doctors have the highest aspirations for their medical practice and a well trained medical assistant, especially when certified, registered, or otherwise credentialed adds a kind of value to their practice that goes far beyond words.

Professionalism, care, courtesy, empathy and attention to detail are high on the list. You will be bound by any existing state and local laws and obligated to follow moral and ethic principles in everything you do. Typically, you will work within an ambulatory medical practice setting where you apply your skills under the direct supervision of the doctor who hired you. At times you might be asked to carry out tasks delegated by a supervising nurse, or other licensed healthcare practitioner who is in a supervisory position during the doctor's absence.

Certification as a Mark of Excellence

Doctors everywhere strongly agree: medical assistant certification provides assurance to doctors who hire that they are getting someone who is knowledgeable, trained and qualified for the job.

Certified medical assistant credentials are your secret weapon, your "ace in a hole", the sure thing that makes you stand out from the rest. When job vacancy announcements specify: "We seek a certified medical assistant, certification is preferred," then typically, only those who have earned the distinction of a certified, registered, or otherwise credentialed medical assistant will be considered for these positions, although, from time to time, they might consider a non-certified applicant, with the expectation that he, or she obtains certified credentials within a given time frame.

 "In My Role As A Certified Medical Assistant—What Will My Duties and Responsibilities Be On The Job?"
Some medical assistants serve in a more general position, others are highly specified in their duties. In your role as a certified medical assistant you will likely handle routines of daily medical office operation, where you may also encounter unexpected situations that require fast thinking and immediate actions to situations that can happen ANYWHERE in the practice's front, back, laboratory, waiting area, or storage room facilities. Handling these responsibilities requires attention to detail, flexibility and a keen understanding of basic principles as they apply to customer services and health care provision in a medical office.

"I Just Graduated from a Medical Assistant Program and Have My Diploma—Am I Also Certified Now?"
No, just graduating from a medical assistant school, or medical assistant distance education program doesn't make you a certified professional! Certification is NOT automatic just because you graduated. You may have your medical assisting diploma, but to get certified you must apply to sit for a medical assistant certification exam and pass it. Only then will you receive your designations and can call yourself a certified professional. Some well respected professional certification sponsors also make their exams available to those who did NOT receive formal vocational training from a medical assistant school, but instead have several years of continuous experience working in the discipline, or have received their medical and health care training in the Military.

 "I Didn't Receive My Training at a Medical Assistant School—Can I Still Get Certified if I Have Enough Work Experience?"
Yes, if you have at least 5 years experience as a medical assistant then you can apply for the RMA certification exam through American Medical Technologists (AMT) who have been certifying medical assistants, phlebotomists and other allied health professionals for decades. AMT allows experienced medical assistants to demonstrate that they are just as knowledgeable and equally qualified as their formally trained and certified counter parts. Once you pass their nationally recognized certification exam it serves as tangible proof of your knowledge in the medical assistant discipline so you can better compete on today's rapidly growing job market.

You may be thinking, you already have a job and not need certification now, however, sooner or later you might wish you had obtained it when you had a chance. Recognized medical assistant certification exams are available for those who meet certain educational and work experience requirements as determined by the medical assistant professional membership organizations.