danny

February 14, 2022

Which Medical Assistant Certification is Better?

Suzy Ashmore shared the following with us: Re: RMA vs CMA (AAMA) – One better than the other?”WOW!!! I am appalled at the amount of misinformation still being posted. i.e.: “RMA goes to college and the CMA does not”, and “CMA is only recognized statewide, RMA is a national certificate”, and on and on. If you people really want to know the facts, you need to contact representatives of the state societies in the state in which you live. Both, American Medical Technologists (AMT) and AAMA have chapters in all 50 states, including the Caribbean. I guess this controversy will never end.” What is the Difference Between RMA and CMA? The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) provides its membership the CMA designation (with capital letters), this widely recognized credential is copyrighted. This means that any other organization that wishes to “certify” medical assistants CAN NOT use CMA with capital letters. The AAMA is the only organization that can use the term “certified Medical Assistant, CMA”, however, all others can say their medical assistants are certified. Look closely here, the only difference is the capitalization of the first letter.A medical assistant is a medical assistant, regardless of the type of “credential” they hold, but there are slight differences in the organizations (AAMA, AMT, ARMA, NRMA, AAMP, NHA, NCCA) themselves. To certify through AAMA, you MUST have received your MA training through formal post-secondary vocational instruction,i.e. from a trade or vocational training institution, community college, or university. Other certifying professional membership organizations might allow you to sit for their exam if […]
February 14, 2022

Benefits & Purpose

This story is real! Don’t let it become yours: Temperance from Florida tells us that after successfully finishing the medical assistant training program she has a difficult time landing her first job. She says: “I’ve applied to as many positions I possibly could, but most employers here are looking for certified MAs. No one wants to give me a chance without it, so now I am seeking certification through a recognized provider.” Most employers set their standards high and specify that certification is preferred when they hire. Job applicants without it instantly drop to the bottom of the list. Unfortunately, many medical assistants don’t even realize that they might already qualify for certification based on their vocational or military training, years of experience, or other certifications they already have in their specific discipline. Recognized Certification Opens  Doors! Every day new medical assistant school graduates enter the job market that’s an endless stream of well-trained applicants for the same positions. How will you compete and prove to a potential employer that you are the most qualified candidate for the position? The key is to set yourself apart by earning certified credentials that attest to your knowledge in the field. A medical assistant certification exam covers a broad range of medical assisting areas of knowledge to assure proficiency and competency in all areas of general medical assisting, clinical and administrative. Those who are certified are more likely to advance to a higher position as well as receive more benefits and a better salary than those who are not certified. Prometric Medical Assistant Certification Exam Certification exams […]
February 14, 2022

Medical Assistant Certification Requirements

Medical assistant certification remains largely voluntary here in the USA. Those presently working, or wishing to work as a medical assistant are not required to be licensed, certified, or registered in most states; however, although so far certification remains largely voluntary it is the employer who sets forth their own specific requirements and job qualifications for a position and OFTEN they want someone who is certified. Where jobs are limited and applicants plentiful they can pick and choose who they want. If you have read the wanted ads in your newspaper or Internet job sites then you should already have realized that just about every job offer for medical assistants reads: “Must be certified and/or have x-amount of experience.” The importance and impact certification makes on your resume and getting hired should be obvious to you by now. Every medical assistant, whether new or seasoned, should seek every available resource and opportunity to accomplish their goals. You can build yourself an edge through recognized certifications and credentials. A Very Typical Job Ad: “We are seeking Medical Assistants to work in our downtown Orlando clinics (Pediatrics, OBGYN, Ortho, Internal Medicine, Family Practice positions available). Requirements: Minimum 1 year of MA work experience. Medical Assistant Certificate – MUST BE REGISTERED MEDICAL ASSISTANT (RMA), AAMA, or AMT CERTIFIED. Bilingual preferred, but not required. Please only qualified candidates apply. “ Educational Requirements for Medical Assistants Did you know that there are state-mandated registries and licensing boards for physicians, nurses, and physicians assistants in the USA; e.g. State Medical Boards and the Federation of State Medical Boards (FCVS)which maintains a permanent, […]
February 13, 2022

Medical Assistant Final Exam

Preparing For Your Finals Medical assistant final exams are given at the end of a formal vocational training program to allow the student to graduate. National professional certification bodies then offer certification exams to provide these successful graduates with industry-recognized professional credentials. To be better prepared for your medical assisting finals you should use every resource your instructors provided: your textbooks,hand-outs, and lecture notes taken in class can be your MOST important and effective study tools. There also are different medical assistant certification exam textbooks you can buy in book stores and online from Amazon.com, or sometimes on eBay. It doesn’t matter if they are used. Studying For Your Certification Many medical assistants are also planning on sitting for a certification exam after graduation. While the final exam covers everything that was taught in class, the certification exam covers a broad range of medical assisting areas of knowledge to assure proficiency and competency in all areas of general medical assisting, clinical and administrative. The exam typically is timed and consists of multiple-choice questions taken either in writing paper or electronically through Prometric testing services, which takes place in computer-lab typesetting and results will be instantly logged. There are study and review websites, flashcards online, textbooks, and booklets with medical assistant certification practice questions for certification applicants. You can contact your chosen certification provider and ask if they can mail you a practice exam or if one is available for download on their website. A medical assistant from Florida tells us in our Medical Assistant forum: I was surprised that about 85-90% […]
February 13, 2022

Preparing for the Medical Assistant Externship

First off, remember that the externship has to do with YOU! Medical assistant school graduates need skills that allow them to function in a real workplace dealing with real people, therefore, most medical assisting training programs provide their student body an externship of at least 160 hours before taking their final exams. The medical assistant’s externship marks the point of transition from being a student to becoming a qualified medical assistant. Purpose of the Externship The externship is a unique learning opportunity similar to an internship to provide students a short period of practical experience in the field. The medical assistant student works a regular work schedule without pay in an actual medical facility with an emphasis on on-the-job training to solidify skills previously learned in class. Performance and attendance are carefully tracked by the medical office manager and reported back to the student’s school. Attendance and punctuality are indicators of reliability and professionalism. The medical assisting externship usually consists of:    (a) A minimum of 160 contact hours   (b) Placement in an ambulatory health care setting   (c) Supervised instruction by health care professionals   (d) Performance monitored by the school Your Externship Experience Some students may experience some degree of nervousness and anxiety before the externship begins. Anxiety is a basic human emotion consisting of fear stemming from the uncertainty that typically appears when an individual perceives an event as a threat to self-esteem (Sarason, 1988). It creates the feelings of fear, apprehension or worries; however, a certain degree of anxiety is a common emotion medical assistant students often share and has nothing […]
February 13, 2022

Classroom Instruction

Formal vocational education and training are NOT always required to become a qualified medical assistant. Medical assistant training is either provided through a vocational training program, or directly on the job under the supervision of a medical doctor, but many opt to go back to school and earn their certificates, diplomas, and degrees via classroom instruction. Medical assistant training can take place in one of the following types of settings: In a secondary, postsecondary, or adult education program offered at Community Colleges and private post-secondary Vocational Training Institutions across the country. If the institution is properly accredited and approved graduates may sit for the national certification exams. Under a licensed medical doctor on the job, or in some instances under a registered nurse, licensed vocational nurse, or physician assistant (PA). The supervising licensed health care professional is directly responsible for determining the content of the training and the proficiency of the medical assistant in training, however, lacking formal documented training medical assistants trained on the job may not always qualify to sit for nationally recognized medical assistant certification exams. Online, via self-study and distance education.  If the course is accredited and approved by the Department of Education or CAAHEP graduates may sit for the national certification exams. The physician, or licensed health care practitioner in charge must then determine the skill level and capabilities of the medical assistant trained online. From Novice To Expert Where does the road begin? Many medical assistant students enrolled in programs falsely believe that the road to success doesn’t start until they get to their first […]
February 13, 2022

Training Programs

People can become medical assistants in two ways, either through direct on-the-job training or through formal post-secondary vocational training from a trade school or college. Completing a typical classroom-based training program that ends with a medical assistant diploma teaches the clinical medical assistant aspects and the administrative aspects, which may take about 9-11 months from start to finish. Those interested usually need to have a high school diploma/GED to qualify for a school-based vocational training program. When contacting a vocational training institution you should already have an idea about:      1. What are your short and long-term career goals?     2. What are the educational requirements to succeed?     3. What are employers’ expectations and how much do they pay?     4. What are the present job market predictions and future outlooks? Find out how long the program will take, whether it qualifies you for recognized certifications, and what kind of documentation you will receive upon graduation. Ask whether the program is completely campus-based, a combination of classroom instruction and online learning, or entirely web-based. If it IS a distance education program, ask whether the certificate or diploma you earn will have the words “online program” printed on it.  Ask whether the program requires an externship in a medical office and who will be responsible for locating and securing a suitable externship site; also, whether you will qualify to sit for a medical assistant certification exam. Find out how long the program has been in existence, how many people have graduated successfully, and what their job placement rate is.  If it is an online course, ask whether their certificate […]