How to Become a Certified Medical Assistant Online
Medical assistants work in physicians' offices and other medical facilities performing administrative and clinical tasks. To become a certified medical assistant, individuals must complete an accredited program and pass a certification exam. These training programs are becoming more widely available online, allowing students maximum flexibility and convenience.
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Instructions
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Online Medical Assistant Training
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Decide what type of medical assisting program you are interested in. Some programs focus on administrative medical assisting, or front office. Students are trained in medical office procedures, such as medical record keeping, filing insurance forms and scheduling appointments. Other programs focus on clinical medical assisting. Clinical medical assistants are trained to take and record vital signs and to collect specimens for the laboratory.
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Research online programs. There are an increasing number of online schools offering medical assisting programs, as well as many traditional colleges and universities offering some or all of the required courses online. Programs may lead to a certificate of completion, a diploma or a degree, such as an Associate of Science.
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Check that the program meets the requirements for certification. Graduates of programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) are eligible to apply for certification from the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and the Association of Medical Technologists (AMT).
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Complete the program requirements. The number of required courses will vary depending on the type of program. Courses typically include anatomy and physiology, medical office procedures, medical terminology, medical billing procedures and clinical procedures. Some programs offer virtual clinical lab courses where students can learn procedures, such as taking vital signs and collecting blood samples.
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Apply for certification. Both the AAMA and the AMT require that applicants complete an accredited medical assisting program. The AMT requires a minimum of five years of experience. Once prerequisites have been met, applicants must pass a certification exam. The AMT awards the Registered Medical Assistant designation; the AAMA awards the Certified Medical Assistant designation.
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References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition: Medical Assistants
- Herzing University Online: Medical Assisting Programs
- St. Augustine Educational Services: Medical Assistant Program Online
- American Association of Medical Assistants: Find a CAAHEP or ABHES Accredited Program Near You
- American Medical Technologists: Qualifications
Resources
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