What does a medical assistant do?
Medical assistants complete both administrative and clinical tasks in an outpatient setting. While job duties can vary depending on their work environment, most assistants are responsible for collecting and recording patient information, measuring patient vital signs, scheduling appointments, and administering injections or medications at the direction of the doctor or physician’s assistant.
How can I become a certified medical assistant?
Becoming a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) or Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) most often requires successful completion of a medical assistant career program or college degree. After completing a recognized program, the next step is to sit for and pass an industry exam such as the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) certification offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). Once you’ve earned your certification, you’ll need to maintain the credential by recertifying after a certain time period and completing continuing education requirements.
Where can medical assistants work?
Most medical assistants work full-time and find positions in doctor’s offices, hospitals, outpatient care centers, and other medical offices.
What is the salary for a medical assistant?
While pay can vary by region, experience, and work environment, the average annual salary for medical assistants in 2022 was $38,270.*
Do I need to complete the externship to graduate from the program?
The externship isn’t a requirement for graduation. However, it can offer a great opportunity to apply what you learned through your courses and simulations to real work in a medical office. Through the externship, you can practice what you learned and work alongside current medical assistants and doctors to refine your skills and build confidence.