2 answers
sandra
Student
Redwood City, California
3
Questions
Updated
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what steps would you recommend i take to prepare to enter this field? (medical assistant)
Hi my name is Sandra and I'm at job corps.
2 answers
Cooper Laikind
Medical Assistant and Phlebotomist
3
Answers
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Updated
Cooper’s Answer
Hi Sandra!
CMA (AAMA) here! I love this question!
There are programs both private (for-profit colleges) and public (community colleges) that offer medical assisting diplomas. Regardless of where you attend, I highly recommend reading through their course catalog and program page to ensure that their education is relevant and competitive. One way of doing that is looking to see who the school is accredited by and what their externship or 'clinical' requirements are.
While you are not required to become certified, most employers look for either CMA (AAMA), RMA (AMT), or CCMA (HCA) credentials.
Most programs (but not all) require that you have Anatomy & Physiology and Medical Terminology courses under your belt prior to enrolling. That would be a good first step.
Once enrolled, I recommend:
-practicing your skills until you feel competent
-connecting with your college's career office
-asking to be hands-on during your clinical site rotations
-perusing job descriptions prior to graduation and honing the skills they ask for
And finally, I recommend thinking big about where you want to work and what specialties interest you. At this point, medical assistants are in high demand and you can take your credential far!
A brief look in your area and I found: https://catalog.canadacollege.edu/current/programs/medical-assisting-as.php
aama-ntl.org
https://www.nhanow.com/certification/nha-certifications/certified-clinical-medical-assistant-%28ccma%29
https://americanmedtech.org/Medical-Assistant
CMA (AAMA) here! I love this question!
There are programs both private (for-profit colleges) and public (community colleges) that offer medical assisting diplomas. Regardless of where you attend, I highly recommend reading through their course catalog and program page to ensure that their education is relevant and competitive. One way of doing that is looking to see who the school is accredited by and what their externship or 'clinical' requirements are.
While you are not required to become certified, most employers look for either CMA (AAMA), RMA (AMT), or CCMA (HCA) credentials.
Most programs (but not all) require that you have Anatomy & Physiology and Medical Terminology courses under your belt prior to enrolling. That would be a good first step.
Once enrolled, I recommend:
-practicing your skills until you feel competent
-connecting with your college's career office
-asking to be hands-on during your clinical site rotations
-perusing job descriptions prior to graduation and honing the skills they ask for
And finally, I recommend thinking big about where you want to work and what specialties interest you. At this point, medical assistants are in high demand and you can take your credential far!
Cooper recommends the following next steps:
Willette Wiley
Occupational therapy assistant
12
Answers
Augusta, Georgia
Updated
Willette’s Answer
Hi Sandra
It is good to hear that you have found a career to go into. Medical Assistant is good career choice. It can give you a good foundation if you decide to pursue Nursing school, which alot of people do including a neice of mine.
To become a Medical Assistant you need to contact a Community College that offers the program and speak to someone in admissions. They will tell you how to apply and the steps you need to take in order to enroll in the next available semester.
I pray all goes well for you in your new journey. Also, the Military also has similar jobs and they are really helping people to get in. This maybe an option for you since you are in job Corps. The military offers education, and housing all in one!
It is good to hear that you have found a career to go into. Medical Assistant is good career choice. It can give you a good foundation if you decide to pursue Nursing school, which alot of people do including a neice of mine.
To become a Medical Assistant you need to contact a Community College that offers the program and speak to someone in admissions. They will tell you how to apply and the steps you need to take in order to enroll in the next available semester.
I pray all goes well for you in your new journey. Also, the Military also has similar jobs and they are really helping people to get in. This maybe an option for you since you are in job Corps. The military offers education, and housing all in one!
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