certified medical assistant

Good Evening Kathy, good information and I've heard a lot about LPN's being phased out...I have lot's of friends in the medical field and I don't feel that will happen in our lifetimes. Every state has different regulations, as you said and wisely so. Sounds like you enjoy what you do...the ultimate goal. Peace, Jim

I'm not sure why some student loans are higher than others. The medical assistant course where i live was 7,000. I got approved for financial aid though. I only have to pay back 3,000 of it.

I'm in Tech. school now for medical Assisting. But I'm not going to stop there I'm going on for nine more months to become a surg. tech. that way I have something to fall back on if medical assisting doesn't work out. I hope I'm not wasting my time. Good Luck to everyone.

Hey fellow ma's, I would appreciate any tips on passing the CMA exam I will be taking it in January 2008. I am studying daily, there is a whole lot of information to review. I have a hard time retaining it. I graduated in December, 2006. I need some good tips from anyone who sucessfully passed the CMA exam. Please respond...

i just took the rma and passed it,there is alot of info to remember if you are taking it in january just read it every day that is your best bet the rma has less questions than cma but they are both national

Keep reading and I had got a book with practice tests. Passed the CMA exam in October 2005. Good luck!!!

was the exam hard?

what is the rma, im new in the field and hae never heard the term?

RMA stands for REGISTERED Medical Assistant,which is the same as being certified. It is through the American Medical Technologists agency and the exam is not hard. I have the preview test for it (see my profile), which is very helpful. The CMA exam ,through AAMA,is pushed more in schools but both titles are recognized. That exam may be more difficult and is only offered a few times a year while the RMA test is offered almost daily.

thank you very much for your quick reply

no the exam was easy on the computer and it tells you if you passed with a grade when you are done, you just buy a book and study

tracy M in New Berlin, Wisconsin said: Hey fellow ma's, I would appreciate any tips on passing the CMA exam I will be taking it in January 2008. I am studying daily, there is a whole lot of information to review. I have a hard time retaining it. I graduated in December, 2006. I need some good tips from anyone who sucessfully passed the CMA exam. Please respond...

Hey tracy, Looks like I'll be taking it again! Need some tips!

I studied really hard and when it came to taking the test,21 most of the questions had nothing to do with what I had studied. I guessed at a good part of the test hoping I would PASS. I did with a 83. I felt really lucky, all I can say is good luck!

Mari in Escalon, California said: If you aren't a nurse, why are you calling yourself one? You should introduce yourself correctly, otherwise you're misleading people.

HELLO EVERYONE,

I'M NEW TO THIS FORUM, AND I WILL SAY, READING ALL OF THE MESSAGES, I'M TRULY DISSAPOINTED IN THE COMMENTS..I'M ALSO DISAPPOINTED IN THE SO CALLED "NURSES", THAT ARE SO WORRIED ABOUT MA'S...I'M MEAN, COME ON, GIVE THE MA'S A BREAK..THEY'RE NEW TO THE GAME!!!...ARE YOU GUYS JEALOSUS, THAT PEOPLE ARE GIVING THE SAME TITLE THAT YOU WAITED SO LONG TO RECEIVE???

hey im having the same problem finding a job in RMA can you send me a copy of your resume

Alane in Sarasota, Florida said: I am sorry to hear all the Medical Assistants are not being hired in your areas. I live in Florida and jobs in healthcare for Medical Assistants are in great demand. I used to be one myself and never had a problem finding work in Pittsburgh, PA. I have recruited for the Medical Society here in Florida and I
must say your resume is your first impression. Perhaps you need some help to perfect your resume. I can help
you if you'd like. Let me know. I have a nice resume
format for you to use. Write back if you want help.

i dont have a great format so yes i would love the help...email me triciamanes@yahoo.com i feel the same way your resume is a portfolo of who u are!

yes would you be able to check my resume let me know and i will send it too you.

HELLO EVERY ONE I HAVE BEEN READING YOUR COMMENTS AND I AM VERY AMAZED AT THE PAY RATE THAT SOME OF THESE STATES ARE OFFERING. OUT HERE IN PA SOME HOSPITALS PAY CNA STARTING OFF AT 13.00. MA START OFF BETWEEN 12.00-15.00 AT DOCTORRS OFFICE AND MORE AT HOSPITAL. I AM HAVE FOUR MONTHS TO GO BEFORE I FINISH MA SCHOOL. IT'S A SAME WE WORK TO SAVE PEOPLE LIVES AND ALL THEY CAN PAY IS PENNIES I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND. THEY ARE HIRING MA LIKE CRAZY OUT HERE IN PA. BUT YOU HAVE TO START FROM THE BOTTOM UP. BUT YOU KNOW THE COST OF LIVING IS MUCH HIGHER IN SOME STATES. BUT IT'S UNBELIEVABLE TO START AN MA OFF WITH 7.00 THAT'S REDICOULOS. MY ADVICE TO YOU IS IF YOU HAVE A MA DEGREE USE IT TO YOUR ADVANTAGE LOOK AROUND ITS BOUND TO BE A PLACE THAT WILL BE PAY A DECENT SALARY BUT MAKE SURE THAT THEY OFFER TUTION ASSISTANCE ARE WORK AT A HOSPITAL THAT IS A TEACHING HOSPITAL SO YOU CAN CONTINUE YOUR EDUCATION AND HAVE THEM PAY FOR IT, IF YOU WANT TO GET YOUR LPN ARE RN DEGREE. MA IS A STEPPING STONE THERE ARE MANY AGENCIES THAT WILL PAY FOR YOUR EDUCATION YOU HAVE TO LOOK AROUND SEARCH THE WEB. THEY HAVE PROGRAMS THAT WILL PAY FOR YOU TO BECOME A NURSE. THE PAY MAY NOT BE GOOD BE AT LEAST YOU CAN FURTHER YOUR EDUCATION THROUGH THEM.

Hi everyone, I am a CMA and am very lucky to have gotten a job offer right when i graduated in an OB/GYN office and I love it. I do a little bit of eveything. I dont get paid as much as I would like but I think the outstanding benefits make up for it! I heard through the grape vine that you can take a class and then a state test to be able to start IV's. Does anyone know anyhting about this? I have a few certifications and would love to add this to my resume. Thanks for your help- Mary

thank you so much for the good advice
good luck to you also

very good suggestion. thank you.

Advice? Suggestion?....I'm confused, I asked a question?!

Mary in Dayton, Ohio said: Hi everyone, I am a CMA and am very lucky to have gotten a job offer right when i graduated in an OB/GYN office and I love it. I do a little bit of eveything. I dont get paid as much as I would like but I think the outstanding benefits make up for it! I heard through the grape vine that you can take a class and then a state test to be able to start IV's. Does anyone know anyhting about this? I have a few certifications and would love to add this to my resume. Thanks for your help- Mary

Hi Mary. In my class there were some students who were insistent that such a thing was true,yet nobody ever knew where to go for this training,least of all the teachers. I never really believed it myself and can't seem to find any information about it,whether it's allowed in this state or not. A girl in my class who did her externship in an ER was allowed to disconnect some IVs but there were nurses nearby. Maybe the person to ask would be a long-time MA in Ohio......

Recently i just enrolled in a Medical Assistant field waht i would like to know would it be hard having a career in this field or what and will i make good money in this perfession in GA can someone please reply?

According to Indeed,the average yearly salary ranges from $25,000-$27,000 in Georgia. Bear in mind that a lot of jobs start out at only $9 an hour. For all that MAs do that is NOT good money. The hard part is not having a career in this field but finding one.

Alane in Sarasota, Florida said: I am sorry to hear all the Medical Assistants are not being hired in your areas. I live in Florida and jobs in healthcare for Medical Assistants are in great demand. I used to be one myself and never had a problem finding work in Pittsburgh, PA. I have recruited for the Medical Society here in Florida and I
must say your resume is your first impression. Perhaps you need some help to perfect your resume. I can help
you if you'd like. Let me know. I have a nice resume
format for you to use. Write back if you want help.

actually from all these comments that imreading i was at mandel schol yesterday in nyc and was looking into a registured medical assisistant proram quick question is it different then getting a certified medical program and is it so hard to get a job all theses poeple went to a school dont they provide job placements?

Certified and registered are the same thing,the programs would not differ. Some schools claim to have job placement and it consists of someone faxing out resumes to various places. The lucky ex-students have someone with clout who will call these places and talk about the possibility of you being hired in, and they will highly recommend you. Other schools won't do anything,you are on your own in finding something. Either way it is hard and the reason is competition.

yes please send me a resume

HI I HAVE SOME INFORMATION THAT MAY HELP YOU AS FAR AS GETTING CERTIFIED IN IV'S YOU CAN GO TO MEDTEX.COM AND THEY HAVE CLASSES THAT WILL TEACH YOU TO BECAOME CERITIFED. THE COME TO DIFFERENT STATES YOU HAVE TO CHECK OUT THE WEBSITE.

Thanks for the info. I found this-

www.medtexx.com/faqs.asp?cid=5#23

Nothing in the near future for Ohio,though.

Did YOU take this class,and can tell about what it's like?

If you are certified and have no experience, you are still considered "entry level" by employers.

With my students (I place entry level Medical Assistants w/o Certification in the Tampa market,) I focus on calling DIRECTLY into doctor's offices.

And I tell my students to do the same: get the superpages or go to superpages.com or the site used by your main phone service provider. Find physicians and call them directly.

My suggestion to my recent grads is to call and let whoever you speak with know the following "you are a 'new Medical Assistant grad' who has finished your externship (and mention certification if you have it!) and ask if they have any openings.

Normally, at least in Tampa, for about every 20 calls I make into doctor's offices re: our new grads, I can find one entry level MA position.

I'm not familiar with the markets in Ohio; however, I know this is the most likely way to find out what is REALLY out there. 50% or more of ALL jobs aren't posted. Many physicians use their networks and employees to find their candidates. That means if they can't find folks, they are very open to the calls from people who ARE looking!

Hope it's helpful information!

Loudie Noezile in Flushing, New York said: I am a certify Medical Assistant, but no one want to hire me, because I don't have one year eperience.

i am in the same situation but keep trying and there are other doctors that will take the time and help you out.

tell loudie to go to craigslist.com alot of people hiring in flushing and may train you for the job.

Emily, ventura ca in Ventura, California said: Hey out there, I am sing the same tune. Went to school and got Certified and did a month externship and was not hired.I have been to so many interviews and they say I will give you a call back. Well that does not happen either! I graduated in 12/05 and still not working in that field. They want someone experienced. Well give a chance to preform, Right? I am working as a CNA.That is not the field I need to be working in.Promies,Promises :(

I am also working as a cna in a hospital and ever since the nurses found out i help them and even people in the lab. no one would hire me as a medical assistant so why not try as a cna and see where it takes you. good look to everyone out there and keep on trying

Elaine in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania said: i got certified and no one wants to hire you because you don't have a year's experience. This is very disappointing to find out I went to school for nothing! I went to school in Beaver County when I lived out there and finished school. I graduated and got my certification...A yr later still no job. I just took a refresher course and passed. I've been looking online for medical assisting jobs everywhere in PA and NYC (since my title is "National Certified Medical Assistant") and still nothing. What is it that they want us to do? Isn't there anyone out there that can help us find the jobs that we went to school for? This is rediculous. $10,000 and nothing to show for my accomplishment. I have faxed, hand delivered, called, replied to ads and nothing I keep getting the same story everywhere Can someone out there please help(us) those who have done what everything to get to where the're at?...

where at in beaver county did you go to school and how long ago

Hello,

It sounds like you desperately want to and need to work in the field that you paid so much money to accomplish; on the other hand, I think the best thing to do at this point is finish college, because these certificates will not take you too far...sometimes it's who you know, and not what you know...Also, people look at people who attend certificate schools, as people who are trying to take the easy way out life...

rose in Gainesville, GA said: i got certified and no one wants to hire you because you don't have a year's experience. This is very disappointing to find out I went to school for nothing! i have faxed, hand delivered, called, replied to ads and nothing keep getting the same story everywhere

Hello, I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL i am also a certified medical assistant i live in columbus ga and i finished the course in 2004 so try to hand in there!!!

everyone I know gets a job through friends or people they know that already works in the field.If you know some people,have them put in a good word for you.

Lot of NEGATIVE comments on here.

I am an MA in a private Psychiatric practice working under 1 doctor.
I have been there for 3 yrs now. I did my externship in this office also.
Paywise I started out at $10.00 an hour and I am now making $35,000 a year BUT....I work my butt off. I work FOUR 12 hr days. I am the only full-timer, with ONE part timer. We see 35 pts. daily. Granted it is all front office work but believe me there is a ton of it. Talk about multi-tasking! But all the same I love it.
I did NOT get my certification or have ANY prior medical experience. I don't plan on getting my certification because I don't believe it typically HELPS you get a job faster than someone who doesn't, like me for instance.
Getting a job as a MA whether it be front/back office has to do with many, many factors I believe....*being professional in how you dress and speak, *your overall hygiene, *the way you carry yourself, *good eye contact during an interview, *SMILE, *being self confident, *be friendly and most of all **BELIEVE IN YOURSELF**.
You should have learned all of this while in school for Medical Assisting.
***Go to a medical staffing company and get your name on the books, start doing some temp work if necessary to get your foot in the door. Alot of places hire on for FT even if you start out as a temp. You have to be willing to go that extra mile. No one is going to come beating down your door.***
Get someone to go over your resume with you. Someone on here has offered help in that respect, contact her!
There are ALL kinds of medical jobs out there, you just have to be willing to do what it takes to get one. MA's work in all types of jobs from chart/records dept, billing/posting, schedulers, medical receptionist/chiropractors office/hospitals/nursing homes and the list goes on.
My ONLY advice would be if you want to make MORE MONEY, work for a specialist.
**Surgeons typically make more money**
Good Luck to all of you!

You make some good points,like how job seeking confidence should be taught in MA programs but if it's one of the many bad schools out there then it won't be. These schools are too busy filling students heads with how "offices are screaming for help" since the field is in such "high demand",so the last thing they think they have to worry about is getting a job. Then when they repeatedly run into a lot of trouble finding one,much less even getting an interview,then any confidence they had is lowered,which doesn't help with further job hunting, and it all breeds negativity. And not everyone is lucky enough to get hired in to their externship site,which can go a long way with continuing this career.

So true! My externship wanted to hire me but they couldn't afford it. I was pretty bummed but assumed I could get work pretty easily. That was a few months ago and I am getting so discouraged. I wish I had known how truly hard it is to get you foot in the door with this job. All of them want 1 year experience! Give me a break!

I think the "age" for MA's is here but has not peaked yet. There is coming soon a time, due to how LITTLE insurances pay doctors AND doctors RISING COSTS of malpractice insurance AND their insurance in general when RN's will NOT be in high demand because doctors will NOT be able to AFFORD to staff ALL RN's. That is when MA's WILL be in demand because we are lower cost to keep AND we can do practically anything an RN can do. I know we can't do EVERYTHING an RN does but we don't demand the money they demand either and THAT will be our edge.
I went to Sanford Brown Institute aka UltraSound Diagnostic School here in Tampa. They do have a program assisting students in finding employment as well as finding an office for externship. I found my externship site on my own though. I understand it can be frustrating when you have bills to pay and children to take care of. I am a single mother as well but I feel letting negativity take hold will not benefit an MA in getting a job any faster. There are MA jobs to be had.
***** Don't forget to use your externship as experience!!! ***** Just because you didn't get paid for it doesn't mean it wasn't EXPERIENCE!!!
The only advice I can offer is not to BOX yourself into to a "TYPE" of job you HAVE to have, i.e. "Your dream job". Your first job will very likely NOT be your dream job, be open and be flexible.
Get your experience in whatever type of job that is available then you can pick and choose and get that dream job!! :o)

Nothing worth having in this life comes easy.

J

I too have just finish school and cant get a job. And on top of that i dont know where to get certified I feel that the school i went to just made money off of my

Hello, you can get Certified through the
National Center For Competency Testing for a
Certified Medical Assistant the Number you Can
Call is 1800-875-4404 GOOD Luck!!!!!!!

I would Like to know when you Apply for job in Medical Assist how can you get a 1 yr Experience when no one will give you a chance to use your skills what you already know.

i totally understand i finished medical school and no one is hiring, they said you got to have at least one year experience. if no one want to hire you without experience how are you going to get experience.

and i thought it was just me.. but i see that theres alot out there. the school i went to just told us a bunch of bull. two of my good friends have jobs but the rest of the class dont. i think im just going to get my lpn even tho we can do just about everything they do. on my xtern i was even doing infusion that was fun IV in and giving norcs taking vitals every 15mins thats what i went to school for to help people.

Hello Everyone,

No disrespect, but don't you think finishing college would be the best advice for anyone...

yes college is great, but in all reality I feel that i was feed a bunch of bull when i signed up for ma. i was told that it would be np getting a job and i would be able to get one in no time..... well 3months later and over 70 resumes out i have no job. i get told the same thing YOU NEED experience. How do i get experience when all i have is the time i did in extern which i do claim and if me and my family wouldnt have relocated i would have been hired on. so i think that instead of going the MA route i should have gone the lpn are rn way more jobs out there looking for them then MA. just IMO

10/3/07 10:27am

Good morning,

If you hear of a Medical Receptionist Correspondence Course, I can complete at home, please email me. I cannot seem to find one ?

Thank you kindly

fzavolas@wileyrein.com

Have a nice day.