Medical Assistant Training and Career

Thanks to Matt at www.CNACareerAgency.com for his contribution to this post.

 
What will you learn?

Through medical assistant training you would acquire many skills that are common to people training to become doctors. For instance drawing blood, collecting fluid samples, checking the vitals of a patient, administering medication, etc. In large hospitals, doctors seldom have the time to interact with each patient as their case loads are usually through the roof.

Medical assistants are most often the ones to explain procedures to patients, prep them for surgery and even conduct simple tests on samples drawn from patients. But that’s not all. In addition to medical skills they are also well equipped with a lot of skills related to administration that help them along the way.

Although the doctors are the ones who are always in the lime light, the medical assistants are the ones who are responsible for the smooth functioning of the hospital. They work behind the scenes making sure everything is right where is should be. Without them there would be no supply of sterilized equipment and not mention the serious lag in important paper work including patient history, admission forms and discharge sheets. In simple words, a hospital would most likely fall apart without medical assistants as they are the oil that keeps the machine functioning smoothly.

 

What do you need to do?

In order to become a certified medical assistant you are required to take the CMA (certified medical assistant) or RMA (registered medical assistant) certification tests. These are computer based tests and can be taken anywhere across the country. To be eligible to take these tests however, you have to successfully complete an accredited medical assisting program.

 

How long will it take to get trained?

If you were to go to college, you would spend at least four years (if not more) training to become a medical assistant. For the sake of argument, let’s assume that you pay $30,000 a year on tuition alone. In four years that would amount to $120,000 and you would emerge with a heavy debt on your shoulders.  Some institutes will have you trained and ready in as little as 9 months. Yes, it’s true. That’s not all. These are authentic institutions that provide valid certification and are accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). Even if you had to pay $80,000 (don’t worry, you won’t!) for the entire course you would still end up saving $40,000 plus a little more than three years. And what’s more? They even help you get placed with different medical institutions

 

Why become a medical assistant?

It is no secret that the need for medically trained professionals is rapidly growing in this country. In 2010 there were more than 500,000 jobs available paying up to $28,860 a year(1). So allow yourself to imagine the job availability today, three years later. Once you find a secure job, it most certainly will not be long before you have earned back all the money you invested in your education. So if you are the type of person who has a burning desire to help people and has always been fascinated with the workings of medicine, perhaps you could consider acquiring training as a medical assistant. Do not be afraid to invest in yourself. You can do away with attending college for five years and instead have your certification in less than a year! So don’t spend too much time thinking, just go for it and watch your dream come to life.

 

Retargets:

1. http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Healthcare/Medical-assistants.htm

2. http://www.porterchester.com/career-programs/medical-assisting.html