How Long Does It Take to Become a Medical Assistant?
A medical assistant is a vital component to many doctors’ offices. They not only handle all of the waiting room and front office duties, but they also assist physicians and nurses with a variety of procedures that range from administrative to hands-on care with a patient. Becoming a Certified Medical Assistant requires approximately a year’s commitment, though it can take longer if you plan to specialize in any particular duty that is only generally undertaken by a standard medical assistant. Step 1 Consider if you’re looking for a job or career that will consist of one part secretary or receptionist and another part nurse. Medical assistants typically answer telephones, manage the waiting room, organize medical files and handle some of the billing and bookkeeping. They also typically record a patient’s complaint and medical history, assist the physician when needed and remove sutures. Step 2 Find an accredited medical assisting program. This accreditation usually comes from either the
To become a medical assistant, you can complete a one-year certificate or a two-year Associate’s Degree form an accredited school. Once you finish the course, you can sign up to take the Certified Medical Assistant exam. After passing the exam, you will be a certified Medical Assistant, and will need to renew your license every 5 years. Medical assistants make $22,000 to just over $30,000 annually.
