A certified medical assistant (CMA) or medical assistant (MA) supports healthcare providers in clinics and other outpatient care settings. CMAs perform clerical and/or clinical duties depending on their employer’s needs. As an entry-level position, medical assistants require only a high school diploma. Certified medical assistants who have completed a certification program or associate’s degree can have more opportunities and higher wages. CMAs may be responsible for more direct patient care and record-keeping. Working as a CMA also provides an introduction to healthcare for those who are curious about pursuing a nursing degree.
What Does a Certified Medical Assistant Do?
A CMA is cross-trained in clerical and patient care tasks. Daily tasks for a CMA will vary by the provider’s needs, the type of facility, and state law. CMAs can expect some on-the-job training to learn a clinic’s routines and workflow.
Patient care tasks that may be assigned to a CMA include:
Taking vital signs, such as blood pressure
Asking health history questions
Preparing patients for exams or tests
Assisting providers during procedures such as wound care
Collecting venous blood samples
Giving certain injections, such as vaccinations
Obtaining electrocardiogram studies
Educating patients on medications or plans of care
Updating medical records
Clerical tasks that may be assigned to a CMA include:
Greeting patients and checking them in for appointments
Calling patients to schedule appointments or additional testing
Completing forms for insurance purposes
Communicating with laboratories, pharmacies, and hospital staff
Updating billing and finances for the office
Re-ordering medical and office supplies
Certified medical assistants are organized, professional, and have good time management skills. Handling sensitive patient information and recording billing information requires attention to detail. CMAs also have the ability to reassure patients and prepare them for productive appointments.
How Much Does a Certified Medical Assistant Make Per Year?
The median annual pay for CMAs is $38,270, or $18.40 per hour in the U.S. The median pay represents the middle: half of CMAs earned more than that amount, and half earned less. Pay varies by experience, employer, and location. CMAs are most often employed in the offices of physicians, where the average hourly wage is $19.16. CMAs working in outpatient care centers reported some of the highest hourly wages, averaging $22.40 per hour.
Annual wages for CMAs vary by up to $20,000 across the U.S., while CMAs can generally expect higher wages in metropolitan areas. However, it is also important to note that rural employers may offer competitive wages to meet the healthcare needs of their population.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment of CMAs will increase by 14% from 2022 to 2032. This rate of increase is much higher than the average for all careers and indicates over 105,900 new positions for CMAs.
Where and When Do Certified Medical Assistants Work?
Certified medical assistants are employed in any area with outpatient healthcare services. Private health clinics, public health offices, outpatient care facilities, same-day surgery clinics, insurance agencies, medical equipment retailers, and offices of numerous types of healthcare providers rely on CMAs. This range of employment opportunities can be appealing to many applicants. CMAs who prefer to work more or less directly with patients could apply for positions that reflect their comfort level.
Many of the businesses that employ CMAs keep business hours Monday through Friday. Some clinics may be open on evenings and weekends to accommodate patients’ schedules. CMAs may be asked to stay after a clinic is closed to finish paperwork, clean, or prepare for the next day. If a provider or their patients are running behind schedule, the CMA could be expected to stay late as well. Scheduling considerations can be addressed during the application process. CMAs have a wide range of choices and can search for a position they find appealing.
How Do I Become a Certified Medical Assistant?
A certified medical assistant has earned a high school diploma, completed an accredited training program, and passed a computer-based national certification exam. Accredited programs have been reviewed and given accreditation by either the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools. Medical assistant programs usually last one year. Some schools offer a two-year associate’s degree in medical assisting. Accredited medical assistant programs include at least 160 hours of externship experience, which allows students to observe and work with employed CMAs.
Upon completion of their education, prospective CMAs are eligible to take a national certification exam. The computer-based exam is offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants. The AAMA requires students to complete an application, send transcripts, and pay a non-refundable fee. The exam has 200 multiple-choice questions and can be taken in four, 40-minute segments with a short break in between segments. Participants are given their results (either pass or fail) immediately upon completion of the exam.
A CMA must then apply for a license with the state board where they wish to practice. Each state has different requirements, but a fee and background check may be required. Additional certifications in skills such as phlebotomy or hemodialysis will also be verified by the state. Continuing education hours, such as online or in-person courses, are required to maintain CMA status.
What Are the Benefits of Being a Certified Medical Assistant?
CMAs work within a team and are able to see patients improve over time. Helping others navigate their health needs can be very rewarding. Healthcare systems rely on the work of CMAs and will continue to do so in the coming years. CMAs are able to find opportunities in nearly every community and in a variety of settings.
Working in healthcare can also be stressful, and CMAs are responsible for critical details in their work with patients, medications, and forms. There are also limited advancement options for CMAs without further education. CMAs who excel in their positions may be promoted to managing other CMAs or other roles within their clinic. As an office manager, a CMA would earn considerably more and have greater responsibilities.
What Is a Registered Medical Assistant?
A registered medical assistant (RMA) has the same education requirements as a certified medical assistant (CMA). When a student completes a medical assisting program, they can choose a credentialing exam offered by one of these two organizations: American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) or American Medical Technologies (AMT). Individuals who pass the AAMA exam become a CMA (AAMA). Individuals who pass the AMT exam become an RMA (AMT). The RMA exam is 210 questions and costs $135.
Each state defines the scope of practice for its CMAs, RMAs, qualified medical assistants, or clinical medical assistants. In some states, there are no differences. Education programs may offer preparation and testing for one of the mentioned exams as part of their curriculum. Competitive medical assistant applicants have earned the CMA or RMA designation, and individuals interested in this path should explore their state’s Department of Health or medical board for specific information.
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