Are you interested in getting into the medical field, but lack the money or time to do a full nursing or doctorate program? There’s another option: Enrolling in a certified medical assistant program! Certified medical assistants (CMAs) are vital parts of the team at a doctor’s office or dental clinic, but the job requires far less training. You could potentially become a CMA in only 6-9 months!

What does a CMA do, and what are the qualifications? Here’s what you need to know!

Should You Enroll in a Certified Medical Assistant Program?

Certified Medical Assistants have a unique job role, which includes elements of both nursing and administrative assistant.

I. Working the Front Desk

Most of your time will be spent at the front desk. In all likelihood, you will be the first point of contact for anyone entering the office or clinic, so it’s vital to have great people skills. You need to be able to consistently greet new patients with a welcoming attitude and be willing to help them with their paperwork or other questions. Many visitors will be nervous, and one of your most important jobs will be putting them at ease.

In addition, you’ll be doing a lot of administrative office work. This will be similar to other secretarial work, including:

• Answering phones
• Scheduling appointments
• Updating patients’ medical records
• Bookkeeping and billing
• Paperwork services, such as filling out insurance claims

Good computer skills and excellent attention to detail are a must. Your certified medical assistant program will provide you with all the training you need to handle issues like insurance claims and maintaining patient privacy.

II. Working with Patients

Unlike typical administrative assistants, you will also be spending time in the examination rooms, doing basic nursing-style work with patients. This will include:

• Helping patients prepare for exams
• Performing basic tests, such as reflex tests
• Administering EKGs and blood pressure tests
• Sterilizing and maintaining equipment
• Drawing blood
• Giving injections
• Collecting other fluid samples
• Basic wound care and changing dressings

So, you do need to have a reasonably strong stomach for matters such as blood-drawing and injections. You’ll be expected to potentially act as an assistant on any matters that don’t legally require a higher level of training. It’s almost like being a nurse, except training only takes a fraction of the time.

CMAs Are a Vital Part of the Modern Medical System

Being a CMA isn’t the most glamorous job in the medical system, but it’s an absolutely necessary one. You’ll be a valued member of the team, the person that everyone else in the office relies on when they need a hand. And as you will be the one handling most of the paperwork and bureaucracy, you will also have a high degree of responsibility as well.

If CMA sounds like a good job for you, the first step is to look into certified medical assistant programs – such as the Westchester School for Medical and Dental Assistants. Over 85% of our graduates have jobs within 30 days of graduation!

To learn more, just contact us.