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Medical Assistant Educational and Training Requirements
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While it is possible to start a career in medical assisting with on the job training, most employers prefer a formal education or training program. These programs are available from some vocational high schools, vocational schools, and in colleges and universities. Typical medical assistant training programs lead to a degree or certificate, and last one or two years, respectively.
Many medical assisting programs are accredited by either the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). These accredited programs typically offer internships at hospitals or clinics as part of their programs.
Coursework at post secondary schools and colleges is split into medical training and office training. Medical courses include physiology, anatomy, and medical terminology. Office training includes insurance processing, keyboarding, recordkeeping and accounting procedures. Students are taught first aid, clinical procedures, laboratory procedures, and how to administer medications. They may also study medical law, ethics, and patient relations.
Licensing and Certification Requirements
There are no national licensing requirements for medical assistants, although, depending on the state in which they work, they may be required to obtain a license to perform certain procedures.
Medical Assistants are certified by one of several agencies. Certification is important, particularly for those applying for entry level positions, since it indicates competence in the field. The Certified Medical Assistant designation is offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants. The Registered Medical Assistant credential is given by American Medical Technologists.
Other organizations award specialty certifications for medical assistants specializing in podiatry or opthalmology.
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