How to become a Medical Assistant
To work as a medical assistant you either need on-the-job training or medical assistant training course. Many states don't require a medical assistant to be qualified, but training will be helpful when applying for jobs.
A great medical assistant is a highly organized person who has good communication skills, especially listening skills in order to understand and correct record patient information. Medical assistants need a good working knowledge of medical terminology, basic procedures and anatomy. Administrative tasks require a medical assistant to be skillful and comfortable at using a computer. Patients often choose their doctor based on the quality of service and care, so treating patients with respect and kindness is a vital skill.
What skills help Medical Assistants find jobs?
- Bilingual
- Blood sampling
- CPT coding
- Communication skills
- Computer literacy
- Computer skills
- Customer service
- Data collection
- Documentation review
- EHR systems
- EMR systems
- English
Career progression for Medical Assistant
Education levels for Medical Assistants
| required level of education | percent of job openings |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or GED | 60.5% |
| Associate's degree | 25.8% |
| Bachelor's degree | 11.1% |
| Master's degree | 1.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 0.6% |
| Middle school education | 0.1% |
Expected salary by experience
| Years of experience | Annual salary in USD |
|---|---|
| 0 - 4 | $26,600 |
| 4 - 8 | $28,600 |
| 8 - 12 | $29,900 |
| 12 - 16 | $30,700 |
| 16 - 20 | $31,100 |
| 20 - 24 | $31,000 |
Common qualifications for Medical Assistants
- ACLS Certification
- AED Certification
- AEMT Certification
- AHA Certification
- ARRT Certification
- ASCP Certification
- BC/BE
- BLS Certification
- CCMA Certification
- CNA
- CPR Certification
- Certified Athletic Trainer
Common questions about career advices for a Medical Assistant
How fast can you become a medical assistant?
Medical assistant courses vary from a total of five days to two years. Programs that only take a few months or less will provide you with a certificate, whereas the courses that take roughly two years to complete allow you to earn an associate’s degree. Depending on your preference, you can choose the right medical assisting course to pursue.
What are the strengths of a medical assistant?
The following are considered to be the strengths of a medical assistant:
- Communication skills
- Outgoing
- Good listener
- Compassionate
- Nonjudgmental
- Self-controlled
- Organized
- Adaptable
Is it hard to become a medical assistant?
Medical assistants need to work hard to earn their certifications, which require additional learning and a test. This makes it somewhat hard to become a medical assistant but should not be a problem for those who study and are fully prepared.
