How to Set Yourself up For a Successful Medical Assistant Career

Are you interested in pursuing a healthcare career? If so, you won’t regret it! You’re about to embark on a highly rewarding future with incredible job security and growth potential. Medical assistants (MAs) are special as they play an important role in today’s healthcare system. Knowing what to expect and how to prepare for a healthcare career will set you up for success.

Choose a Good Training Program

One of the first decisions you’ll need to make is which medical assistant training program to attend. Not all MA programs are the same, so it’s important to do careful, thorough research before enrolling. Make sure the MA program you attend is accredited by either the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). If you choose a program that’s not accredited, you won’t be eligible to take the exam to become a certified medical assistant after completion of the program. 

While certification isn’t required to become a medical assistant in some states, most employers prefer to hire certified candidates for the job. Plus, taking the extra step to become certified shows potential employers that you’re fully committed and dedicated to the medical assisting profession. 

Create Good Study Habits

During your medical assistant training, you’ll receive a lot of information at a rapid pace. Creating good study skills is a crucial step in successfully completing your education. Here are a few study tips to help you get started: 

• Take good notes. 
• Rewrite notes on yellow paper. 
• Spread out study time. 
• Eliminate distractions. 
• Take study breaks. 

Polish Up on Your Soft Skills

Along with clinical skills and hands-on-training, there are certain personal attributes, or soft skills, that influence how an MA relates to patients, their families, and coworkers. Having strong soft skills can set you apart, giving you a competitive edge against others. Examples of soft skills include communication skills, empathy, organization, problem solving, teamwork, stress management, and confidence under pressure. 

Create a Stunning Resume

Medical assistants perform many duties and skills, including clinical, administrative, and interpersonal. You can increase your chances of landing a job by including these skills on your resume. Employers typically only view each resume for a few seconds, so be sure to include the most sought-after skills in your field to better your chances of getting the job. 

Be a Team Player

Successful medical assistants are team players willing to do the necessary work to efficiently provide patients with the proper care. The primary duty of a medical assistant is to offer support to physicians and fellow employees. Medical assistants must know how to work effectively with healthcare professionals and patients to provide quality care. This also means jumping in and offering help when needed. Successful medical assistants understand there is always room for improvement, so they aren’t afraid to seek ways to sharpen their skills.

Take Advantage of Advancement Opportunities 

Medical assistants can find career advancement in many areas, including: 

• Clinical Team Leader 
• Lead Medical Assistant 
• Medical Office Manager 
• Medical Assistant Instructor 
• Medical Records Manager 
• Healthcare Administration 

Choosing a specialty is also an option for future career advancement opportunities. Medical specialties, such as pediatrics or cardiology, require more knowledge and skills and may offer higher pay and more responsibilities. 

Ready to Get Started? 

The first step to success is enrolling in a quality MA training program. Athena Career Academy offers training as a Clinical Medical Assistant. We offer flexible class schedules and no wait list. Contact our admissions team today to learn more.