Certified Medical Assistant Duties
Becoming a certified medical assistant requires a number of steps, but will benefit your career choices in the long run. After attending an accredited school and obtaining clinical hours, you must take an exam to get the certification. You are then ready to enter the field.
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Schooling
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The school you choose must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. You will not be able to get a job or take the certification exam if the school is not accredited. There are a number of areas in which you will receive training. They include anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, computer skills, record keeping, accounting, coding and insurance processing, laboratory techniques, clinical procedures, pharmacology, medications administration, first aid, office practices and medical and law ethics.
You will also need hands-on experience. As part of your schooling, you are required to complete an externship. An externship is similar to an internship; however it is not as long and does not acquire pay or class credits.
Certification
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After you complete the medical assisting program, you must get certified. You do that by taking and passing the medical assisting certification exam. First you must complete the exam application and pay the fees it requires. If you are a recent graduate, the fee is $125. If you are not a recent graduate, the fee will be $250. Once you are approved, you will schedule a date and time to take the exam.
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The Job and the Duties
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The duties of a certified medical assistant vary depending on what type of environment you work in. A big part of the job is handling administrative duties, such as filing and organizing documentation and also handling patient appointments.
The majority of duties involve assisting doctors. You will set up instruments and assist the doctor in the research of diagnosing patients. You can possibly work with blood and tissue samples.
Where you can work
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There are a number of places where you can practice, including a hospital. However, you can have a position as a certified medical assistant in any setting that has a doctor. Such places include a dental office, a private doctor's office, outpatient care facilities and clinics.
Other places that would look for certified medical assistants are the offices of chiropractors, podiatrists and optometrists.
Salary and Benefits
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If one of your main career goals is working with and helping people, being a certified medical assistant is a very rewarding job. This career is also one the fastest growing fields in health care.
The salary range varies depending on your experience, what type of setting you work in and the location. The average salary is $27,852. Benefits can include a great health insurance package and one to two weeks of vacation time.
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