If you’re considering a career as a medical assistant in 2024, you’re stepping into one of the most rewarding fields in healthcare. Medical assistants are crucial in ensuring that medical offices, clinics, and hospitals run smoothly, blending clinical duties with administrative tasks. While many aspiring medical assistants follow the traditional path of formal education and student loans, a growing number of individuals are opting for alternative approaches to fast-track their careers and avoid the debt burden.
In this guide, we’ll dive into the five essential qualities to become a medical assistant. By understanding these key factors, you can position yourself ahead of the competition and successfully land your dream job in the healthcare industry.
1. Get Certified
If there’s one non-negotiable aspect of becoming a medical assistant, it’s certification. Medical assistant certification demonstrates your competency and assures employers that you have the required knowledge and skills. Being certified doesn’t just set you apart from the competition—it could be the very thing that gets you hired.
According to the National Healthcareer Association’s (NHA) Industry Outlook Survey, 89% of employers either encourage or require medical assistants to be certified. That’s an overwhelming majority. Certification is no longer a mere recommendation; it’s almost a requirement. When employers sift through resumes, they are much more likely to prioritize candidates who hold a recognized certification, such as the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential or the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) designation.
In short, if you want to set yourself apart and start your career strong, pursuing a recognized certification is critical.
Why Certification is Crucial
- Increases credibility: Certification shows potential employers that you’ve met industry standards and are well-versed in clinical and administrative tasks.
- Boosts employability: Employers may even offer better starting pay to certified individuals.
- Keeps you competitive: The medical field is rapidly evolving, and certification helps you stay current with the latest best practices.
2. Obtain a University Certificate
While certification proves your abilities, having a medical assistant training certificate from a recognized university further builds trust with employers. The healthcare industry places a significant emphasis on education, and doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals often come from the best schools. As a medical assistant, holding a certificate from an accredited institution demonstrates your commitment to quality education.
While local programs may be cheaper, not all are accredited, which can diminish their value in the eyes of employers. Imagine going through a training program only to find out that it’s not well-regarded in the industry. Employers want candidates with credentials from reputable institutions, so it’s important to choose your training provider carefully.
How to Choose the Right Program
- Accreditation: Ensure the school or program is accredited by recognized agencies such as the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
- Reputation: Look into the program’s reputation within the healthcare industry.
- Career Support: Select programs that offer externships and career placement services to help you transition smoothly into the workforce.
3. Gain Practical Experience Through Externships
When it comes to hiring, employers not only look for qualifications on paper but also real-world experience. However, you might wonder how you’re supposed to have experience if you’re just starting out. That’s where externships come into play.
An externship allows you to shadow healthcare professionals, gain hands-on experience, and practice essential skills in a real healthcare environment. Employers highly value practical experience because it shows that you’ve applied your skills in a clinical setting, even if it was part of your training. It also means less time spent training you on the job.
Many training programs offer externships as part of their curriculum, and completing one can be the difference between getting hired and having your resume overlooked.
Benefits of an Externship
- Practical skills: You can work directly with patients, learning everything from phlebotomy to taking vital signs.
- Networking opportunities: An externship places you in a healthcare setting where you can make valuable connections with other professionals, potentially leading to job offers.
- Resume boost: Employers appreciate candidates who have real-world experience, even before officially entering the workforce.
4. Develop Strong Communication Skills
Healthcare is inherently a people-oriented field. As a medical assistant, you’ll be in daily contact with patients, doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. Having strong communication skills can be a game-changer. Patients can often be nervous, especially in healthcare settings, and it is your role to make them feel comfortable, understood, and cared for. Likewise, when interacting with medical staff, you’ll need to communicate efficiently and clearly, as any misunderstanding could affect patient care.
Employers are on the lookout for medical assistants who are great communicators. Beyond basic interaction, they expect you to actively listen, ask the right questions, and provide patients with clear instructions.
Tips for Improving Communication Skills
- Practice empathy: Understand the patient’s perspective and show compassion.
- Active listening: Ensure you fully understand patient concerns and relay them accurately to healthcare providers.
- Take a communications course: If possible, add a course on communication to your resume to enhance your credentials.
5. Demonstrate a Willingness to Help and Serve
At the core of any healthcare profession is the desire to help others. Employers want to hire individuals who are passionate about serving patients, especially in challenging or stressful situations. As a medical assistant, your role often involves long hours and the ability to stay calm under pressure, particularly in emergency situations.
Your willingness to help and go the extra mile for patients is not something that can be taught—it’s intrinsic. Employers may assess this during interviews by asking you about situations where you went above and beyond to help someone, or how you manage stress.
How to Show Your Passion for Helping
- Volunteer work: If you’ve done any volunteer work, especially in healthcare or related fields, highlight it on your resume.
- Interview readiness: Be prepared to share stories that illustrate your commitment to patient care and service.
- Demonstrate resilience: Show that you understand the challenges of the healthcare environment and are willing to rise to the occasion.
Fast-Track Your Medical Assistant Journey
If you’re ready to take the next step toward becoming a medical assistant, you don’t have to follow the traditional, costly route. Instead, consider joining an online medical assistant training program that offers a streamlined path to certification, practical experience, and job readiness—all without racking up student loan debt.
Preppy’s Medical Assistant Training Program
Overview
Preppy’s Medical Assistant Training Program is entirely online and self-paced, making it ideal for students who need flexibility. Preppy’s program is offered in partnership with Auburn University, providing a reputable university certificate upon completion.
Program Highlights
- Mode of Delivery: 100% online and self-paced.
- Program Duration: 4 to 6 months, with access for up to a year.
- Tuition Cost: $1,599, which includes training materials.
- Certification: Prepares students for the CCMA certification exam.
- Practical Experience: Includes an externship opportunity at a local healthcare facility.
- Additional Benefits: Offers job placement services for eligible graduates and a free laptop if you pay the tuition in full.
Conclusion
Becoming a medical assistant in 2024 offers plenty of opportunities, but standing out in a competitive field requires more than just passion. Employers are looking for candidates who are certified, well-trained, experienced, communicative, and service-oriented. By taking these steps, you’ll not only fast-track your entry into the healthcare industry but also position yourself for long-term success.
Also read: Top 7 Medical Assistant Skills You Need
About:
Preppy was founded by higher education expert, Grant Aldrich, who’s work on college affordability and accessibility has been featured in Forbes, Bloomberg Businessweek, Business Insider, American Express, AOL, MSN, Thrive Global, Reader’s Digest, Inside Higher Ed, Evolllution, EducationDive, and nearly 100 radio shows and podcasts.
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