Are you looking to start a meaningful career in the medical field without spending years earning a degree? Then becoming a medical assistant might be the right choice for you. A career as a certified clinical medical assistant (CCMA) is both rewarding and quick to start.
At Advanced eClinical Training, we streamline the process of becoming a medical assistant by offering an online certification program that takes less time and costs less than traditional degree programs. Read on to discover how to become a certified medical assistant and what you can expect from our CCMA program.
In this article:
How Long Will It Take To Become a Medical Assistant?
What Skills Are Needed To Become a Medical Assistant?
Are Skilled Medical Assistants in Demand?
Where Do Medical Assistants Work?
How To Become a Certified Medical Assistant in 8 Steps
What To Expect When Taking the CCMA Exam
Ready To Become a Certified Medical Assistant?
What Is a Medical Assistant?
Medical assistants are versatile professionals trained to handle a combination of clinical and administrative tasks, helping streamline daily operations within hospitals, clinics, and doctors’ offices.
Clinical duties often involve assisting physicians with direct patient care, including:
- Asking the patient questions to better understand their medical condition
- Taking notes during exams and locating medical equipment
- Updating patients’ medical records
- Recording vital statistics, such as weight and blood pressure
- Providing patients with medications or injections as directed by a doctor
- Receiving blood samples from the laboratory and preparing them for testing
On the administrative side, medical assistants are tasked with managing office responsibilities, such as:
- Greeting patients
- Answering phones
- Scheduling and confirming appointments
- Coding and filling out insurance forms
- Coordinating hospital admissions and tests
- Assisting with billing and bookkeeping
How Long Will It Take To Become a Medical Assistant?
The amount of time it takes to become a medical assistant varies depending on the type of program you choose. On average, traditional certificate programs take between four and nine months, while an associate’s degree in medical assisting can take up to two years to complete.
For those who want to enter the workforce faster, accelerated programs — such as the one offered by Advanced eClinical Training — can be completed in as little as 8 to 12 weeks. Our self-paced CCMA program allows you to move through the material at your own pace, helping you launch your medical career in a fraction of the time compared to other certification paths.
How long it will take to become a medical assistant also depends on passing the CCMA exam. While many students pass on their first try, the quicker you prepare for and pass the exam, the sooner you can start applying for jobs and begin your career.
At Advanced eClinical Training, we understand that your time and money are valuable. That’s why we’ve designed a real-world-focused skills training program that prepares you for success without the need to spend one or two years in a traditional classroom setting.
What Skills Are Needed To Become a Medical Assistant?
To become a successful medical assistant, you’ll need a mix of both hard and soft skills.
Medical Assistant Hard Skills
Hard skills are technical abilities that you’ll learn during your medical assistant training. These include:
- Proficiency in medical terminology: Being fluent in medical language is essential when communicating with healthcare providers and patients.
- Billing and coding: Knowledge of medical billing and coding is critical for ensuring accurate insurance claims and smooth billing processes.
- Clinical assessment and diagnostic skills: You’ll need these skills to perform tasks such as taking patient vitals, conducting basic exams, and assisting doctors with diagnostic procedures.
- First aid and CPR: Basic life-saving skills are a must in any healthcare setting.
- Knowledge of infection control and safety guidelines: As a medical assistant, you’ll need to follow strict protocols to maintain a sterile environment and prevent the spread of infections.
- Familiarity with HIPAA and other applicable laws: You’ll also need a solid understanding of patient privacy regulations and other legal requirements that govern healthcare practices.
Medical Assistant Soft Skills
In addition to technical knowledge, you’ll also rely on a range of more general skills to excel in the medical assistant role. These include:
- Empathy and compassion: You’ll be working closely with patients, some of whom may be anxious or unwell. Demonstrating kindness and understanding can help put them at ease.
- Attention to detail: Precision is key in healthcare, whether you’re updating patient records or administering medications.
- Communication skills: To avoid misunderstandings, you’ll need to communicate clearly and effectively with both patients and healthcare professionals.
- Problem-solving: In your role as a medical assistant, you’ll often have to think on your feet and respond to unexpected challenges.
- Adaptability: When you work in healthcare, no two days are the same. Being flexible and able to adjust to changing circumstances and priorities is important.
- Organizational skills: Managing appointments, patient files, and medical supplies requires a focus on organization.
- Active listening: Listening carefully to patients and colleagues is essential to understanding their needs and providing high-quality care.
Are Skilled Medical Assistants in Demand?
If you’re wondering whether pursuing a career as a medical assistant is worthwhile, we’ve got great news — you’re getting into a career in high demand.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for medical assistants is projected to grow 15% by 2033, which is at a much faster rate than the average for all occupations. This growth is largely spurred by an aging Baby Boom generation that will continue to need more care from medical providers.
In terms of salary, medical assistants earn a median annual wage of $42,000, with the highest-paid individuals making upwards of $56,480.
Where Do Medical Assistants Work?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics also reports that you’ll most likely earn the most as a medical assistant working at an outpatient care center. However, your certificate prepares you to work in various settings you may enjoy more. You can usually find medical assistants working in these settings:
- Chiropractic offices
- Clinics
- Diagnostic testing centers
- Hospice centers
- Hospitals
- Nursing homes and other long-term care centers
- Private physicians’ offices
- Surgery centers
How To Become a Certified Medical Assistant in 8 Steps
Ready to start your journey toward becoming a certified medical assistant? Here are eight steps you can take on your path to a rewarding career.
1. Earn a High School Diploma or GED
Before enrolling in a medical assistant training program, you’ll need to complete your high school education or earn a GED, since most training programs require either of these achievements as a prerequisite. Previous exposure to subjects such as biology, chemistry, and health will also prepare you for the coursework ahead.
2. Enroll in an Accredited Medical Assistant Certification Program
Once you’ve earned your diploma, the next step is to enroll in a medical assistant certification program. At Advanced eClinical Training (ACT), we offer a streamlined and flexible online CCMA program that allows you to complete coursework from anywhere. Courses include Anatomy and Physiology, Clinical Procedures, Healthcare Fundamentals, Infection Control, Pharmacology, and more.
ACT’s program is designed with your success in mind. You’ll not only engage in detailed lectures, but also participate in patient skills simulations, real-world clinical cases, and interactive sessions with classmates. Plus, you’ll have access to one-on-one Zoom sessions with instructors if you ever need extra help.
3. Work With a Mentor
As you move through your coursework, it’s invaluable to have a mentor — someone experienced in the medical field who can offer guidance and career advice. Mentorship helps you gain insight into the day-to-day responsibilities of a medical assistant and can provide support as you navigate your training.
4. Complete an Externship
Gaining hands-on experience is a critical part of becoming a medical assistant. One way to get as much direct practical experience as possible is to complete an externship during your training. During your externship, you’ll work in a medical setting alongside healthcare professionals, applying the skills you’ve learned from your program.
5. Take the CCMA Exam
After completing your training, the next step is to take (and pass) the Certified Medical Assistant Exam, administered by the National Healthcareer Association. How quickly you become a certified medical assistant depends in part on how prepared you are for the exam, so be sure to take advantage of the study resources and preparation materials provided by your program.
6. Build a Professional Network
Networking is a key part of building a successful career. Start by connecting with instructors, classmates, and professionals you meet during your externship. Attending medical assistant conferences or meetups, joining professional associations, and staying active on platforms such as LinkedIn are all great ways to continue expanding your network.
7. Apply for Your First Job
With your certification in hand, you’re ready to begin your job search! When looking for open roles, job boards (such as Indeed or Glassdoor) are a great place to start if you’re open to where you want to work. If you have your heart set on landing a job at a specific medical facility, try looking for openings on their website’s careers page.
8. Prepare for the Interview
Securing your first job as a medical assistant is an exciting milestone, so it’s important to be prepared for your interview. Before the meeting, review common questions, practice your responses, and familiarize yourself with your achievements thus far. If you need help getting ready, ACT offers career development support, including interview preparation.
What To Expect When Taking the CCMA Exam
It’s worth mentioning again, the CCMA exam is a crucial step in earning your medical assistant certification. Passing this exam demonstrates your competency in a wide range of clinical and administrative skills necessary for success in the field.
The exam consists of 180 multiple-choice questions, including 30 “pretest” questions that don’t count toward your final score. These questions are randomly scattered throughout the three-hour exam, so it’s important to answer all questions carefully.
Questions are divided into seven different topic areas, or “domains,” each reflecting key skills needed for a career as a medical assistant:
- Foundational knowledge and basic science
- Anatomy and physiology
- Clinical patient care
- Patient care coordination and education
- Administrative assisting
- Communication and customer service
- Medical Law and Ethics
Approximately half of the exam focuses on clinical patient care, ensuring that you have a strong foundation in providing hands-on care to patients.
You can choose to take the CCMA exam either in-person at a testing center or online. Regardless of where you sit for the exam, you’ll receive your score from the NHA within two days, along with instructions on how to print your certification. Additionally, for all students enrolled in our CCMA certification course, we cover the cost of the CCMA exam.
FAQs
How long does it take to become a medical assistant?
The amount of time it takes to become a medical assistant depends on the program you choose and how quickly you pass the CCMA exam. On average, traditional certificate programs take between four and nine months, while an associate’s degree in medical assisting can take up to two years to complete. Accelerated programs are available for those who want to enter the workforce more quickly. For example, CCMA certification from Advanced eClinical Training can be completed in as little as eight to 12 weeks.
What do I need to do to become a certified medical assistant?
There are eight steps you can take to become a certified medical assistant. They are: Earn your high school diploma or GED, enroll in a medical assistant certification program, work with a mentor, complete an externship, take the CCMA exam, build a professional network, apply for your first job, and prepare for your interview.
Do I have to be certified in order to be a medical assistant?
This depends on where you live. While some states require medical assistants to be certified, not all do. However, no matter what state you live in, employers tend to prefer candidates who hold certification.
How much can I earn as a medical assistant?
Medical assistants earn a median annual wage of $42,000, with the highest-paid individuals making upwards of $56,480.
Where do medical assistants work?
You can usually find medical assistants working in these settings: Chiropractic offices, clinics, diagnostic testing centers, hospice centers, hospitals, nursing homes and other long-term care centers, offices of private physicians, and surgery centers.
What is the CCMA exam?
The CCMA exam is a 180-question test that you must take and pass in order to become a certified medical assistant. It is designed to assess competency across seven main categories: Foundational knowledge and basic science, anatomy and physiology, clinical patient care, patient care coordination and education, administrative assisting, communication and customer service, and medical law and ethics.
Ready To Become a Certified Medical Assistant?
The amount of time it takes to become a medical assistant depends on the program you choose. While many take months or years to complete, at Advanced eClinical Training, you can complete an interactive, affordable program in just a fraction of that time — in as little as eight to 12 weeks, to be exact. Enrollment is simple, and you can start your courses immediately after signing up.
Plus, don’t forget to download your copy of our free 34 Questions to Ask When Selecting a Medical Training Program ebook to ensure you’re fully equipped to achieve your career goals.
