How Do I Become a Medical Assistant?

Best Medical Assistant JobsYou’ve taken an incredible career step in the right direction by deciding that you want to become a medical assistant and now you’re wondering what you should do next to see this dream become a reality. There are several steps left in your journey, but don’t stress, because we’ll walk you through the steps below.

What type of medical assistant do you want to be?

The first critical step, is deciding which type of medical assistant career is right for you.There are two basic types of medical assistants.

  • Clinical Medical Assistant
  • Administrative Medical Assistant

You may love the bustling medical environment, but the sight of needles makes you uneasy, in which case you’d likely choose to become an Administrative Medical Assistant. You should also consider how much time and money each certification requires, the current job market for each, and your personal preferences before you decide which type of medical assistant career you wish to pursue.

Online Medical SchoolsIdentify the right medical assistant program

Just like any important personal decision, a good medical assistant program must fit you and your career goals. There are several things to consider when choosing a medical assistant program and institution.

First, do you have the time it takes to devote yourself to the program? If you have a daytime job and the course is in-person during normal operating hours, this won’t work for you. In this case, you may want to consider enrolling in one of many online medical assistant training programs, which are gaining popularity due to their flexible nature. Second, cost.  Does the medical assistant program fit your budget?  Next is the program accredited? If you wish to be a certified medical assistant, you must enroll in a program that is accredited by Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) or via the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). It is important to note, that regardless of your needs and lifestyle, there is a medical training program out there for you.

Once you identify what type of medical assistant you want to be and have enrolled in a medical assistant training program that fits your needs, all you have left to do is study hard and join a workforce of incredibly passionate and talented medical assistants!