11 Medical Assistant Requirements in 2021

The future is here. With an ageing population and new diseases cropping up regularly, the medical field always needs recruits to help with patient care. While there are no formal requirements or listings for becoming a medical assistant (MA) at this time, projected estimates show that by 2021 it may be necessary to have both post-secondary training and continuing education units (CEUs).

What makes someone qualified as a medical assistant? They must work well under pressure, prioritize tasks according to their importance and understand how they fit into the whole picture. Medical assistants should also have good communication, and typing proficiency since much of their work revolves around computers. Following are some of the parts to being a successful MA, a list that we were able to create with the help of the team at MedAssistantEdu:

Medical assistants must understand how their work supports the larger medical team. They should practice good communication both verbally and in writing, prioritize tasks according to what is most important, know how to use a computer for research purposes and have good typing skills. Some of the specific requirements include:

The projected growth rate for MAs is 23%. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that there will be more than 22,000 new jobs created by 2021.* These job postings are primarily clustered around healthcare facilities such as outpatient or urgent care centers that do not require physicians on staff. Other settings may also hire MAs who don’t need the supervision of a physician so that direct hiring relationships can vary widely depending on local regulations.

According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics, the median salary for MAs is $31,540, with top-earners making more than $41,530. The job outlook looks bright in this field; medical assistants are projected to be one of the fastest-growing occupations through 2020.*

Many employers prefer candidates who have at least an associate degree or certificate to make sure they can deliver high-quality patient care. Some programs may take nine months, while others may take up to two years. Aspiring MAs should attend school full time since taking classes part-time can lengthen the program by over a year and cost exponentially more in tuition costs. Upon graduation from a program, students must pass a certification exam so being prepared is essential.

Certificates and degree programs:

A certificate program is a shorter, post-secondary training course completed in one or two years. This alternative is beneficial to those who only want to work as medical assistants part-time or as-needed basis as they train. Certificate programs tend to require more minor general education coursework than associate degrees so that students can focus more of their attention on the specific tasks needed for this profession. Some people choose to get both a certificate and an associate’s degree, allowing them some flexibility in career choices while lowering their cost of education*.

Degrees:

An associate degree typically takes about two years for most students to complete, depending on how many community college credits students have under their belts before starting school. Students may also take general courses in an associate degree program that can help them advance into higher-paying positions once they graduate with their degree. These programs are generally offered by community colleges and may require some on-campus classes. Students who choose this route often do the same tasks as those with certificates; however, they tend to make more money in their careers since they have obtained a formal education.*

Certification:

To become certified, students must be trained in all the basic skills of providing quality patient care. This is usually best accomplished by attending school full time for about nine months to two years. Students must pass the certification test at the end of their training course with a score of at least 75%. Students are then awarded the credentials that allow them to get jobs, leading to promotion options in more advanced settings. Certification must be renewed every few years, so ongoing education is necessary for health care professionals in this field.