Credentials of a Medical Assistant

Medical assistants in the USA have many credentials, formal and informal titles, from certified to registered medical assistant (CMA, RMA), certified clinical, or certified administrative medical assistant (CCMA, CMAA), to 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), and simply medical assistant (MA). Regardless of titles, names and description, they are the undisputed heroes of any medical office where they work.

Role of the Certified Medical Assistant

It is the certified medical assistant who makes the doctor's job easier, patients feel welcome and taken care of, the medical office running smoothly and on schedule and everyone who comes and goes happier. Their can-do-attitude and friendly disposition is the key that carries them through busy work days week after week. While duties can vary greatly from office to office, their main responsibility is to assist the doctor with various clinical and administrative office routines, keep their patients comfortable, handle unforeseen medical situations and events efficiently, including reacting appropriately in medical emergencies and keep the office running smoothly until every patient has been seen and helped.

Every doctor has the highest aspirations for their medical practice and every well trained medical assistant, whether certified, registered, or otherwise credentialed, adds a kind of value to their practice that goes far beyond words.

As a certified medical assistant you will be dealing with people who are sick and have special needs and health concerns. Professionalism, care, courtesy, empathy and great care to detail are essential as well as staying within the discipline's scope of practice. You will be bound by any existing state and local laws, as well as 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 charge and in a supervising role over you during the doctor's absence.

 You have to ask yourself why you want to be a medical assistant. If it's for the money then realize that it's average pay at best, BUT if you want a job in the medical field where you can make a difference, then I think you would enjoy being an MA. This is the reason I'm doing it, not for the money, but for the good feeling of helping people I care for in my community! 

Any medical assistant seeking certification must realize that a certified medical assistant's scope of practice can vary from state to state. Your primary purpose as a certified medical assistant will be to facilitate the smooth and efficient operation of the front and back areas of the doctor's medical practice. Your exact role, specific duties and expectations will be set forth by the doctor who hired you to match their medical discipline and practice's specific needs. You will serve in an assistive role to the doctor ONLY and are NOT authorized to give any kind of independent medical advice, independently triage patients, nor practice the art of medicine in any form or fashion, whether you are certified, or not. One medical assistant put it this way:

State legislation as set forth by your state's Board of Medical Examiners/Sate Medical Board will also play a major role as to what you can and cannot do. A doctor, surgeon, nurse practitioner, or any licensed healthcare practitioner in charge must be physically present in the facility to oversee your activities and be able to react to any unforeseen situations that may arise when you are providing direct care to their patients, whether you are certified or not.

Preparing for the Certified Medical Assistant Exam

All aspiring certified medical assistants must do their own research to find out whether there are any specific licensing or certification requirements for medical assistants within their state. The ultimate regulating authority will be the State Medical Board/Board of Medical Examiners, since they regulate the medical profession and practice of medicine and to some degree the State Nursing Board, who regulates the nursing disciplines in your state.

Aspiring medical assistants preparing for the certified medical assistant exam must research state regulations that concern medical assistants seeking certification in that state.

Understand, that voluntarily sitting for the certified medical assistant exam does NOT make you a licensed healthcare professional, but earns you the distinct title of a certified, specialty certified, clinical or administrative certified medical assistant and provides credentials that sets you apart from the rest. Then, when you apply for specific medical assistant jobs, or a promotion or raise, employers can determine from your resume and supporting documentation whether you have gone the extra mile to become proficient in your knowledge, skills and professional qualifications as is expected for the position.

• Medical Assistant Skills and Training
  
  When it comes to medical assistant training and gaining medical assistant skills it is important to first understand where to get the best medical assistant instruction.
• Medical Assistant Duties and Responsibilities
  
  Medical assistants must understand that responsibilities and duties of medical assistants may vary from state to state, facility to facility, and office to office.