How to Become a Medical Assistant in 4 Steps
The healthcare industry is constantly expanding. As the population continues to increase and live longer, the need for care increases along with it. Employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 24 percent around the country from 2014 to 2024, much more than the average for all occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This need isn't expected to slow down any time soon, and if you are interested in the medical field, this may be the perfect fit.
There are also plenty of opportunities for variety. The BLS states that an increasing number of group practices, clinics and other health-care facilities need support workers like medical assistants to do both administrative and clinical duties.
Becoming a medical assistant is extremely rewarding and the whole process can be broken down into four easy steps.
How to Become a Medical Assistant
Choose the right school for you - Finding the right fit will make a world of difference. The right school will support you, challenge you, prepare you and make you feel welcome. Look for formal training at an accredited school that you will get the most out of. While there is no shortage of online programs, an on-campus program like Lincoln Tech will give you the experiential training that will prepare you for real-world situations. Getting hands-on time will make you feel confident in your abilities. Do your research and find a school that offers the right program as well as the right environment.
Put your nose to the grindstone - Work. Work. Work. Medical assistant training is no easy task, but it will pay off. If you dive in to your studies, you will feel well prepared for the professional world and all of those hypothetical scenarios will feel like a breeze. In technical fields such as medical assisting, your education is very practical and can be applied to your everyday duties.
Get certified - It is recommended that Medical Assistant students sit for the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) exam, which is offered by the American Medical Technologists. This is where all the work you put in starts to pay off. Lincoln will prepare you for the RMA so that when you sit for the certification exam, you will feel calm, confident and collected.
Start the job search - A number of medical offices will be happy to have a quality employee like you, but you have to put forth the effort to find the right one. Search for the right setting and practice, and then begin the application process. Career Services representatives at Lincoln Tech can help you prepare for interviews, shape your resume and hone your soft skills to land the job you want.