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DeVry University
DeVry University offers flexible scheduling and the convenience to study at any of 80+ locations, online or a combination of both. Earn a respected associate degree, bachelor's degree or master's degree from an accredited university. A career-oriented education from DeVry University will put you in a great place to begin or advance in the workplace when you graduate.
Jacksonville University
Jacksonville University's Online BSN program offers you the opportunity to complete your nursing education online, without ever stepping foot on a college campus.
Penn Foster
Penn Foster offers affordable, self-paced career-focused distance education programs in fields like business, criminal justice, health services, technology, engineering, paralegal studies and more.
*Programs vary by location. Not all programs available at all locations.
Become a Certified Medical Assistant
Demand for registered medical assistants, particularly those with training in medical coding, is increasing rapidly, paralleling the growth of the Health Care industry, which is staffing up to better serve the nation's expanding elderly population.
Why become a certified medical assistant? Consider this promising statistic from the U.S. Department of Labor:
- Employment of medical assistants is expected to grow more than 36 percent by 2010 as medical advances and an aging population increase demand for Health Care services.
Explore your medical assistant training options now and earn your medical assistant certification from one of 650 accredited schools and colleges, offering both onsite medical assisting programs and medical assistant online courses.
Did You Know...?
Certified Medical Assistants (CMAs) are qualified to provide administrative and clinical support in many Health Care settings, from hospitals and physician offices to laboratories and state health facilities, offering them a wide range of employment opportunities.
They also can obtain specialty certification, qualifying them for higher earning jobs in medical coding, ophthalmology, and podiatric offices. Some CMAs advance to office manager. Other CMAs pursue careers in nursing and medical technology with additional education.
What is a Certified Medical Assistant?
A Certified Medical Assistant is a multi-skilled allied health professional, who performs a variety of routine, yet essential administrative and clinical tasks, improving the operation and cost-efficiency of Health Care offices and facilities. Various Health Care professionals, including family physicians, podiatrists, optometrists, and chiropractors, employ CMAs. CMAs should not be confused with Physician Assistants.
CMA duties generally include greeting patients, scheduling appointments, filling out insurance forms and updating medical records, arranging hospital admission and laboratory services, and handling billing and bookkeeping. Clinical tasks can include producing medical histories, recording vital signs, preparing patients for examination, explaining treatment procedures, medical coding, performing laboratory tests, and instructing patients about medication. Specialized CMA skills such as taking x-rays or can require additional training and state testing.
How to become a Certified Medical Assistant...
Complete an accredited program in medical assisting, leading to a certificate/diploma or two-year associate degree in medical assisting. Two agencies, recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, accredit medical assisting programs: the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
Upon award of your program certificate or associate degree, take one of the national medical assistant examinations, administered by four different Health Care associations:
- American Association of Medical Assistants
- American Medical Technologists
- American Society of Podiatric Medical Assistants
- Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology
While law does not require certification in medical assisting, it does greatly enhance one's career potential in the field.