The National Medical Assistant Certification Process

It’s safe to assume, since your reading this article, you’re considering a career in Medical Assisting correct? Excellent choice!!  For your information, the Department of Labor has projected that the field of Medical assisting, is expected to be in high demand well until 2018.  With the government looking for ways to reduce costs associated with medical care, and the versatility offered by a medical assistant, the field is literally, wide open with numerous opportunities for good wages and advancement.

Nationally, the first step in this process is in choosing your post secondary school.  That’s not hinting this is an easy first step.  Choosing a good school, where you get a quality education, without spending your first two years in wages to attend, tricky ground.  Start by a hypothesis, what do you plan to do, once you obtain your degree?  Does the school your planning to attend offer specialized training in this field?  Is the school accredited by one of the big four organizations for accreditation?  How portable is your certification?  Do they offer other courses as well, such as medical terminology, or transcription?  How about an education in coding and billing or basic accounting, all of these things you should use as a guide on your path to success.

When thinking of National Certification, what does it entail?  For one thing, deciding to enter the field of Phlebotomy, is regulated nationally, so if that is an option for you, make sure the school you are planning on attending offers certification in this area.  Are you wanting to go into a specialized area such as geriatrics, maybe you should look into becoming a technician to compliment your medical assisting certification.  Then you can also work equipment such as ultra-sound technology.

With school choices literally in the thousands, do you study abroad out of state or town or study locally?  Some institutions offer online courses, others are just down the street, with choices so vast, making the practical decisions to not go so far in debt, can seem a bit out of focus.  Keep in mind, when you obtain your certification, the money you saved from going locally, you can spend on a vacation or treat, when you’re established in your chosen field.  Make sure they follow a curriculum approved by organizations such as ABHES, CAAHEP, and the NHO, particularly if you’re planning on entering phlebotomy.

As told by a wise person once, don’t put all your eggs in one basket.  Make sure the school your planning to attend, has a well rounded course load, where your education is not only in the required courses, but courses your interested in pursuing, such as technician, or phlebotomy.  You can never have enough education, my mother used to say, and she was right, the more variable the courses you’re choosing, the more doors that open up when you hit the employment market with your new degree.  Some colleges even offer job placement for their graduates, again another perk in choosing a good school.  A good well rounded education, passing the required testing for certification, and a sincere desire to do a good job, and help people, and your well on your way to employment success.  Good Luck!!