In the world we live in today, medical careers are in extremely high demand. However, while you may think this means only doctors and nurses are needed, you are wrong. In fact, the job of medical assistant is one of the fastest-growing careers across the nation. Often taking no more than one year to complete a training program, medical assistant jobs are available in all types of healthcare offices and facilities. If this sounds like the career for you, here are four tips to remember as you work toward becoming a medical assistant.
Select a Reputable Training Program
First, always make sure you get your medical assistant training from a reputable source. In most cases, people attend a community college to complete a medical assistant program. While some colleges will offer a one-year diploma program, many colleges offer a two-year degree program, allowing you to go more in-depth with your training.
Take Advantage of Internships
When it comes to medical assistant careers, an internship is often the ticket you need to land that first job. In most community college and trade school programs, internships are required of students before they can graduate. If you have a particular area of medicine that intrigues you, such as working with senior citizens or perhaps with mothers who are about to give birth, try getting an internship in a setting that will let you pursue your passion.
Gain Certification
When many students are nearing completion of their medical assistant programs, they choose to become certified medical assistants, since this greatly increases their chances of landing a prime job. If you want to be among this group, take an exam to become either a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) or a Registered Medical Assistant (RMA). If you have either of these certifications when you start applying for jobs, chances are you will be able to select from multiple job offers.
Hone Your Skills
Finally, when becoming a medical assistant, always spend time honing your skills and learning as many new ones as possible. For example, make sure you are well-versed in the use of today’s most sophisticated software for electronic health records. Also make sure you are knowledgeable about medical terminology, and stay up-to-date on recent developments in your field of interest, be it gerontology, pediatrics, orthopedics, or other medical fields.
By always striving to be the best and doing all you can to gain additional certifications and levels of experience, you can have a long and fulfilling career as a medical assistant.
Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and walks in the park with her husky, Snowball.
