Is a Medical Assisting Program Difficult to Complete?

Medical assistants perform many skills from clinical to clerical, mainly in physician’s offices. Compared to other careers in the healthcare field that require intensive studies and many years of schooling, becoming a medical assistant isn’t all that complicated. The demand for medical assistants in 2021 remains incredibly high across the country, and this versatile career path offers steady pay, dependable hours, and solid employee benefits and job security. If you’re interested in becoming a medical assistant, you’re likely wondering how long it takes to become one. Although the exact length of time will vary, it’s possible to complete your medical assisting training in one year or less. This is an ideal career for people looking to jump start their career quickly, or those who lack the resources to invest in several years of higher education. 

Job Duties and Responsibilities 

Medical assistant duties and responsibilities include a mix of both administrative and clinical tasks, typically performed in physician’s offices, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. 

Examples of clinical duties may include reviewing a patient’s medical history, recording patient vital signs, height, and weight, assisting doctors with physical examinations, ensuring all treatment and exam rooms are properly sanitized and stocked, drawing blood and giving injections. 

Examples of administrative duties may include data entry, filing, and faxing of documents, scheduling and confirming patient appointments, answering telephone calls, creating and maintaining EMR (electronic medical records), obtaining consent forms from patients, and medical billing and coding.  

Helpful Personality Traits

While training to become a medical assistant isn’t difficult, it’s not the right fit for everyone. The best medical assistants are those who possess confidence, strong communication skills, are detail oriented and dependable, and can handle a fast-paced and high stress work environment without becoming overwhelmed. The medical assistant training program you choose will help you develop and refine your skills. Having patience and being teachable are also helpful traits to have as you embark on this new career path. 

Education and Training 

To become a certified medical assistant (CMA), you must attend a training program accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) or Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Many unsuspecting students don’t recognize that if they don’t graduate from a program accredited by ABHES or CAAHEP, they won’t be eligible to sit for the CMA exam issued by the American Association of Medical Assistants after completion of their training program. Therefore, finding an accredited program should be at the top of your list while researching schools. 

Certification 

While certification isn’t required in all states, most employers prefer to hire certified candidates. Making the decision to sit for the exam to become certified after completion of your accredited medical assistant training program gives you a competitive edge over the other job applicants, makes you more employable, and demonstrates your dedication and commitment to your new career as a medical assistant. Certification gives potential employers reassurance that you possess the necessary knowledge and skills to successfully perform your job. Certification also results in better pay, higher job security, and more opportunities for advancement. 

Want to Learn More? 

You have several choices available when searching for medical assistant training programs, but it’s important to choose the right school that will help set you up for success. Athena Career Academy has the experience, reputation, and accreditation you’re looking for. We’re excited to help you reach your goals, and with no wait lists and flexible class schedules, you really have no reason not to schedule a campus tour today!