How Do I Become a Medical Assistant?
- 1). Before initiating any serious steps toward becoming a medical assistant, make sure you fully understand what the field is about and what the training entails. Read about how to become a medical assistant on the Association of Medical Assistants website. Talk to people who are already working as medical assistants in order to gain real insight in to what being a medical assistant is like.
- 2). Gain applicable education. To become an a medical assistant, you must attend a one-year certificate program or a two year associate's program, both of which include science-oriented and medical office-oriented courses.
- 3). Seek training. Being a medical assistant involves both administrative and clinical duties. The clinical responsibilities involve giving shots, drawing blood and other acts which require practice. Consider interning in a medical office or taking a clinical at your local school.
- 4). Decide whether to get certified. Medical assistants do not need to become certified, but you will have more job opportunities if you are able to show prospective employers that you are certified. After completing your medical assistant program, apply for certification through the American Association of Medical Assistants. After your application is accepted, set an appointment to take the exam at one of various locations.
- 5). Research medical assistant jobs. Search for medical assistant positions in the locations which interest you. Use your college career center or online search engines. Use the contacts that you made during your clinical experiences or internships.
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