Medical Administrative Assistant Certification Programs
Are you interested in becoming an administrative assistant in a medical office? Are you already employed as a medical administrative assistant and want to increase your knowledge, possibly even make more money? If so, it may be beneficial to become a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant. There are many training programs to help you along the way. Schools offering Administrative Assistant degrees can also be found in these popular choices.
Why Should I Pursue Certification?
While certification is not required to work as an administrative assistant in the medical field, it does have some benefits. Having certification will show prospective employers that you are an expert in your field and have the necessary training and knowledge to competently perform your job duties. According to the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), certification may also increase the employment opportunities available to you and help you to move into a higher pay bracket (www.nhanow.com). To take the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) exam, which is offered by the NHA, you need to complete an approved training program or have one year of experience working in the medical administrative field.
What Are Approved Training Programs Like?
Your instructors will teach you the basic skills of managing an office as well as the technical knowledge specific to medical offices, such as how to use medical software programs. The curriculum will cover a variety of topics related to healthcare, including medical records, insurance practices, coding and billing, finance management and medical terminology. Medical administrative assistant programs could lead to a diploma, a certificate or an associate's degree. Some schools offer programs specifically designed to prepare students to take the CMAA exam. Online programs are widely available and may also include exam preparation.
How Easily Will I Find a Job?
In general, the medical field is growing, creating a variety of job opportunities, so your job prospects should be positive. Some of these opportunities are in dental and physician's offices, clinics, medical laboratories, hospitals and nursing homes. In 2008, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that there was expected to be a 26.5% increase in job opportunities for medical administrative assistants from 2008-2018 (www.bls.gov). Additionally, the BLS reported that the median wage for medical administrative assistants was $30,530 in 2010.
To continue researching, browse degree options below for course curriculum, prerequisites and financial aid information. Or, learn more about the subject by reading the related articles below:
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