How to Become a Medical Assistant

Medical assisting is a fantastic introduction to the healthcare field! The job consists of a variety of tasks from greeting patients and gathering medical records to more clinical responsibilities such as drawing blood. While it is possible to be hired as an MA without experience, there are a few things you can do to make your resume stand out from the crowd and lock in a higher-paying position. Here are the best steps to make that happen!

Acquire Formal training

Acquiring formal training from an approved program will set you far above candidates without it. This training teaches students important skills including, but not limited to specimen collection, exam assisting, blood draws, vaccinating patients, post-treatment education, and more. Armed with this knowledge, candidates will be much more prepared for the field and feel more confident as they start their first medical assisting job. Additionally, completion of a training course will be vital in preparing for the MA certification exam.

Acquire Certification

Getting certified is perhaps the number one thing that will make a job resume stand out. Not only does this show that you have learned the important skills needed for the job, but it also demonstrates a high level of commitment to the healthcare field. Passing the certification exam also increases the chance of earning a higher wage as a medical assistant. This is where the formal training and previous hard work pay off.

Complete an Externship (optional)

One other thing you can do to bulk up your resume is to complete an internship. This will prove that you have hands-on training to back up your knowledge. Internships may not be needed for all situations, but they’re a prospect worth considering and allow you to see if you’re cut out for the fast-paced, day-to-day challenge of working in healthcare. They can also be a fantastic way to network and meet other people in the medical field.

Apply for Work

After following the previous steps, the task of nailing a job should be quite simple. A candidate with these qualifications will be well prepared to jump into the exciting world of medical assisting. In doing so, a vast array of opportunities will be opened in countless healthcare settings. These may include:

• Hospitals
• Urgent care centers
• Medical clinics
• Care centers
• Medical labs
• Medical insurance carriers

Even after being hired the journey isn’t over! With strong job growth predicted, medical assisting can be a destination in of itself or a first step on the journey to other careers such as nursing, phlebotomy or pharmacy work. It serves as the perfect drop off point into healthcare, giving one valuable knowledge and skills needed to continue growing their career in the medical field.

If you’re looking into becoming an MA, give Idaho Medical Academy a call to learn more about our Medical Assistant Program. We’re here to help with any questions you may have and can get you started on the enrollment process. Reach out today!