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Better Medical Assistant Jobs

By Lexi, BSN, RN, CCMA, PBT-C
Member- American Association of Medical Assistants

Bottom line: If medical assistants were to become licensed and governed by a board of state medical assistants the number of MAs flooding the market would decline, since the bar would instantly be set higher. As a result, jobs for MAs would increase, and so would wages.

Important! 

Don't put off your certification any longer! Get all info FREE.

When my fellow medical assistants (MAs) say they do not wish to be licensed, my brain says hmmmmm. If you asked me, I wouldn't go to an MD that did not have a license to practice, the same way I wouldn't want to be treated by a health care professional whose license had been suspended... And so, I cannot help but wonder why a MD office would hire a non-certified, non-licensed MA.

However, under the present system, I feel it is imperative that medical assistants who want to remain competitive, and desirable on the job market, at least get as many certifications as possible to set themselves apart from other MAs applying for the same positions.

Getting Involved! Here is How YOU Can Make a Difference and Change Your Future as a MA...

Get involved in your state chapter of medical assistants. Begin a letter writing campaign to make the changes that desperately are needed in our industry. The end result is better educated health care professionals, who possess credentials that are a desired part of the allied health care professional team. This equals jobs for those who are QUALIFIED and wages that meet their level of skill.

Become more pro-active in your professional membership organizations, support your state's chapter for certified medical assistants, and partake in continuing education programs, and workshops. 

Last but not least, write letters to your state senator and congressman about the benefits of MAs being licensed and the benefits to the job market in the health care field.

Contributed by Lexi

Re: Licensing for Medical Assistants

Ramona, BS, AD, CPNCC, CNMA of our Medical Assistant forum responds on Jan 12th, 2009 - 3:31 AM

"I, too, support licensing of MAs; however if we are to upgrade the profession, we need to make sure that we present only accurate information. I feel that comparing a CMA to an unlicensed contractor does a disservice to the medical assisting profession and what we are trying to accomplish.

The ONLY difference between certification and licensing is that certification is granted by a "non-governmental" body and Licensing is granted by a "governmental body". Licensing is not better than certification; it is only better to those who think it is so. Just because we have not gotten to the point yet that a License is required for medical assisting, that does not mean that the states don't deem them worthy.

Value of Certification and Recertification

Certification and recertification of Medical Assistants also require passing exams and continuing education. Both the AAMA and the AMT have Standards of Practice for MAs and Disciplinary measures for violations of practice. Complaints can be filed with them at any time against a CMA or RMA; and will be investigated and dealt with appropriately.

The AMT also publishes the information of those RMAs who have been disciplined. Any medical office hiring a CMA or RMA should contact the Certification agency regarding the validity and status of an applicants credential."

Contributed by Ramona