Working as a medical assistant offers people the opportunity to work in hospitals and other medical environments without spending years in medical school. Medical assistants record patients’ histories, measure vital signs, assist with exams, administer medicine, schedule appointments, and prepare blood samples. They may choose to specialize in a particular area of medicine or remain generalists.[Leer en español]
Medical assistants do not need any specific certification or education to work in Arizona. Instead, employers set their qualifications. Certain achievements and certifications can help medical assistants stand out and give them a higher chance of receiving a job.
Prospective medical assistants can choose to be certified by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), which requires applicants to pass one of five exams approved by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) to receive their certifications. The Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) and Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) exams are the most popular and most widely recognized of these credentials.
To qualify for the exam and have the best chance of passing, candidates should enroll in a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) approved training program. In some instances, equivalent medical training is also sufficient.
The CMA exam is administered seven times per year in Arizona and other states throughout the United States. Candidates can take the exam at Prometric Testing Centers, located in Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff, Prescott Valley, and Yuma.
After completing the necessary coursework and passing the CMA exam, medical assistants become certified for five years and must then renew their certification by completing continuing education credits. The AAMA also offers several other certifications for medical assistants, including the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) and Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA).
In addition to certification, many employers prefer medical assistants who have current CPR certification. They may also be required to attend courses in medical terminology, business communication, and computer technology.
Medical assistants must also develop strong interpersonal skills to interact effectively with patients and other healthcare professionals. They should be able to work independently but still take direction from physicians when needed.
The CCMA exam is administered 10 times per year in Arizona and other states throughout the United States. Candidates can take the exam at Prometric Testing Centers, located in Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff, Prescott Valley, and Yuma.
To qualify for the exam and have the best chance of passing, candidates must complete either a CAAHEP or ABHES-accredited medical assisting program. Equivalent training and education may also suffice. After completing the necessary coursework, medical assistants become certified for three years and must then renew their certification by completing continuing education credits.
Medical assistants can also choose to receive additional certifications, such as Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) and Certified Electronic Health Records (CEHR). These certifications demonstrate a commitment to staying up-to-date with the latest technology and procedures in the medical industry.
In addition to certification, many employers prefer medical assistants who have current CPR certification. They may also be required to attend courses in medical terminology, business communication, and computer technology.
Medical assistants must also develop strong interpersonal skills to interact effectively with patients and other healthcare professionals. They should be able to work independently but still take direction from physicians when needed. Ultimately, certifications can give medical assistants the edge they need in a competitive job market, demonstrating that they are knowledgeable and well-trained professionals. With the right credentials, medical assistants have the potential to become successful and respected members of the healthcare team.
The RMA exam is administered seven times per year in Arizona and other states throughout the United States. Candidates can take the exam at Prometric Testing Centers, located in Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff, Prescott Valley, and Yuma.
To qualify for the exam and have the best chance of passing, candidates should complete a program that is accredited by either the American Medical Technologists (AMT) or the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT). After completing their coursework and passing the RMA exam, medical assistants become certified for five years and must then renew their certification by completing continuing education credits.
In addition to certification, many employers prefer medical assistants who have current CPR certification. They may also be required to attend courses in medical terminology, business communication, and computer technology.
Medical assistants must also develop strong interpersonal skills to interact effectively with patients and other healthcare professionals. They should be able to work independently but still take direction from physicians when needed. Ultimately, certifications can give medical assistants the edge they need in a competitive job market, demonstrating that they are knowledgeable and well-trained professionals. With the right credentials, medical assistants have the potential to become successful and respected members of the healthcare team.
Arizona does not require that medical assistants have CMA credentials, but those who would like to sit for the exam should consider attending a training course beforehand. Many of these courses require in-person attendance, which allows for hands-on training. Here are two of the medical assistant programs in Arizona for medical assistant training:
Arizona College has campuses in Mesa and Glendale. The school focuses exclusively on healthcare-related programs. Its medical assistant program offers a concentration in phlebotomy and career support services to graduates.
Pima offers certificate and associate’s degree programs for medical assistants. The program lasts for nine months, and Pima has several locations in Arizona.
Medical assistants can typically find steady employment. The field is expected to grow by 16 percent nationally by 2031, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), with 51 percent growth in Arizona during the same period.
Medical assistants in the U.S. receive an average annual salary of $37,190, according to the BLS. Medical assistants working in Arizona can expect an average salary of $37,390.
Medical assistants can work in a variety of settings, including physicians’ offices, hospitals, and outpatient care centers. Most work full-time and may be required to work on some weekends, evenings, and holidays, depending on the type of facility in which they’re employed. Medical assistants can most readily find work in big cities, and these jobs typically pay more to account for the high cost of living in these areas.
The medical assistant path is perfect for those who are interested in medicine and enjoy working with new people each day. Being able to communicate well, pay attention to detail and think analytically will help medical assistants complete their daily tasks.
Working as a medical assistant allows people to enter the medical field with a smaller amount of schooling than other careers in medicine, making it possible to begin an exciting and interesting career in a short period.
Other careers you may wish to consider are dental assisting (dentalassistantedu.org/az/), dental hygiene (dentalassistantedu.org/dh/az/) and licensed practical nursing (lpnadvance.com/az/).
According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assistants in the state of Arizona made an average of $37,390 per year in 2021. Entry-level medical assistants earned around $29,640 and some experienced professionals earned salaries as high as $47,250.