A degree in medical assisting is the first step to a long and rewarding career in the medical field. Graduates enter the job market prepared to seek work in a variety of disciplines and ready to contribute to the health and well being of patients. A medical assistant has many options for future careers and can count on flexibility and movement in the medical field. Once you earn a degree in medical assisting you can also seek additional certification in a variety of fields. These advanced certifications require exam testing and make you a more qualified candidate and ensure your core knowledge is strong.
As a medical assistant you can pursue a variety of professions and certifications in the medical field, including:
Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)
A Clinical medical assistant is a multi-skilled professional who works in the medical field in both clinical and administrative capacities. A CCMA interviews patients, prepares rooms for exam, takes a patient’s vital signs, cleans medical equipment, administers certain medications including injections, and performs point of care testing.
Certified EKG Technician (CET)
An EKG records the electrical activity of a patient’s heart. A Certified EKG Technician operates the EKG to measure the rhythms of the heart to provide data for the diagnosis of specific heart conditions. A CET will administer EKGs and stress tests, prepare ambulatory monitoring for patients, edit data and deliver results to physicians, and interpret or transcribe the physician’s interpretations.
Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT)
A Certified Phlebotomy Technician works in blood centers, hospitals, or clinics to draw blood for medical procedures and analysis. A CPT will evaluate each patient for venipuncture procedures, explain the procedures, answer any questions, perform point of care testing, prepare urine and blood specimens for testing, and perform all basic phlebotomy procedures.
Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS)
Every time a physician sees a patient a complex set of codes is used to describe both procedures and billing requirements. A certified billing and coding specialist converts medical symptom, diagnosis, and procedure codes into reimbursement claims. A CBCS analyzes patient records for documentation, assigns codes for procedures and diagnoses, submits claims for reimbursement, and helps providers understand the importance of quality documentation.
Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)
The certified medical administrative assistant is also often referred to as a medical secretary or medical office assistant. A CMAA is responsible for administrative tasks that maintain efficient operations in a physician’s practice or clinic setting. A CMAA uses electronic health records, scheduling software, and billing records, schedules appointments, maintains files, updates patient information, and oversees the administrative operations of the office or clinic.
Certified Medical Laboratory Assistant (CMLA)
A certified medical laboratory assistant performs analysis in a laboratory setting that is vital in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of various diseases. A CMLA performs phlebotomy procedures, separates serum or plasma from cells using accession and centrifuge, delivers specimens to be tested, prepares reference tests, communicates with other medical professionals about problems with specimens or the need for re-draw, and processes specimens in need of testing.
X-Ray Operation
The x-ray is an integral part of any doctor’s office, hospital, or clinic because it allows physicians to see in high resolution the condition of bones and other body parts. An x-ray technician maintains and adjusts the x-ray, follows precise orders from physicians, prepares patients for the x-ray, protects the patient by properly using shielding protocol, correctly positions the patients, operates the computers linked to the x-ray, coordinates with the radiologist to read and determine if new images are necessary, and keeps detailed records or each patient and x-ray.