How to Become a Medical Assistant

Medical assistants function as important parts of health care teams. Assisting doctors and building relationships with patients can add purpose and meaning to your life. Certification as a medical assistant opens doors to opportunity.

Difficulty:

Challenging

Instructions

1. Start with a high school diploma or GED. Some high schools have medical assistant courses in their technical curriculum.

2. Improve your opportunities in the medical field by getting certified. Medical Assistant schools offer classes, hands-on lab work and externship placements. Upon successful completion and passing of the exams, you'll be a Certified Medical Assistant. Most doctor's offices, clinics and hospitals prefer to hire those who are certified.

3. Check with your local technical schools to see what kind of medical assistant programs they offer. Some have certification programs of study.

4. Look online for medical assistant courses if your local tech school doesn't have a program and you can't find a medical assistant school near you. Online courses can take you all the way to certification also.

5. Prepare to handle a variety of duties if you become a medical assistant. Depending on the size and type of medical office you work in, you'll be responsible for everything from answering phones and filing medical records to drawing blood and processing lab specimens. You must be detail-oriented and work well with a team.

6. Test your people skills. Make sure you can handle all types of personalities. You'll be the first one they encounter. You must be patient, friendly and caring if you want to become a medical assistant.

Tips & Warnings

• Formal training, experience from externships and certification will put you higher on the pay scale when you become a medical assistant.

Resources

• Find medical schools.