A medical administrative assistant is a vital part of the healthcare team. They ensure that things in the office run smoothly, supplies are ready to go, and patients are taken care of in a timely manner. They solve problems for both providers and patients while keeping things organized and calm.
But how do you become a medical administrative assistant?
The minimum requirements for becoming a medical administrative assistant are having a high school diploma or GED and being ready to work hard with a good attitude.
While most states don’t require medical administrative assistants to be certified, earning a certification will make you a more competitive job applicant and can help you negotiate for a higher starting salary.
This guide will break down the steps required to become a medical administrative assistant, including certification options, finding a job, and more.
How to Become a Medical Administrative Assistant
If you are interested in becoming a medical administrative assistant, there are a few steps you’ll have to take to get there:
1) Obtain Your High School Diploma or GED
All medical administrative assistants, whether or not they attend a formal training program, are required to have a high school diploma or GED. If you did not complete high school, earning a GED typically takes around three months, but you can earn one online in as little as six weeks.
2) Decide Whether You Want to Attend a Training Program & Get Certified
Many medical administrative assistants, also called medical office assistants, choose to attend a training program and earn their certification. While most states do not require certification for medical office assistants, 75% of employers prefer to hire certified staff members, and you’ll be able to ask for a higher starting salary if you are certified.
Earning your certification as a medical administrative assistant is inexpensive and can be done relatively quickly. The time and money investment is well-worth making yourself a more competitive job applicant.
You have multiple options when it comes to which exam you take to earn your certification, but the most popular choice is the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) exam offered by the National Healthcareers Administration (NHA).
3) Enroll in a Medical Administrative Assistant Training Program
Choosing a high-quality medical administrative assistant training program is one of the most important things you can do as you progress in your career. A program with high certification rates will set you up for success by ensuring you have the knowledge you need to confidently pass your exam and enter the workforce.
After finding a high-quality program, you will have to get yourself enrolled. If you choose to attend a college, you may have to apply and be accepted into the college before enrolling in a specific medical administrative assistant program.
All training programs require an application and proof of a high school diploma or GED, and some may have an application fee.
4) Complete Your Training
Medical administrative assistant training programs can last anywhere from four months to two years, depending on the type of program you choose to attend.
Most programs will include courses about healthcare law, billing and coding, customer service, patient privacy and safety, and basic first aid.
5) Take Your Certification Exam
Once you have completed your training, you will be ready to take your exam. The most widely recognized certification for medical administrative assistants is the NHA’s CMAA exam.
The CMAA exam contains 110 scored test questions covering topics like communication, medical law, scheduling, billing, and healthcare ethics. Students have two hours and 15 minutes to complete the exam.
6) Build Your Resume
After you’ve earned your certification, it’s time to start building your resume.
You don’t need to have years of work experience to build a strong resume. To start, be sure to include information about graduating from your training program and earning your certification.
You can also include any other relevant experience that may be relevant, even if it’s not directly related to medical work, such as customer service jobs, service projects, and leadership positions you’ve held.
Make sure to get a second set of eyes on your resume so you can get feedback before you send it to potential employers. Some schools and training programs have career mentors who will help you create and edit your resume.
7) Apply for Jobs
When you are ready, check out sites like Indeed and LinkedIn that make it easy to apply for jobs. Job search sites help you organize your certifications, work experience, education, and cover letter and send them to potential employers.
If there’s a specific healthcare organization that appeals to you, you can check their website for job postings or even visit the facility to speak to a manager about your goals.
Medical administrative assistant positions may also be called medical receptionists, medical secretaries, medical office assistants, medical office specialists, or medical office administrators, so be sure to include these title variations in your job search.
8) Maintain Your Certification
If you choose to earn your CMAA certification, you’ll have to renew it every two years. Recertification costs $96 and there is no penalty for renewing early.
To be eligible to renew your certification, you’ll also have to complete 10 continuing education credits. If your certification expires, you have one year to reinstate it.
Choosing the Right Medical Administrative Assistant Training Program
Certification Prep & Exam Pass Rates
While completing a training program is great for increasing your knowledge and confidence, you want to leave your program with the ability to get certified.
You can check certification exam pass rates for different programs to get an idea of which prepare you for the exam the best. For reference, the national CMAA exam pass rate for 2023 was 69%.
Cost
Of course, you must consider cost when choosing any training program. Online programs are typically the least expensive. Online programs can cost between $2,000 and $5,000, while degree programs can cost up to $10,000.
It’s important to note that most employers do not differentiate between having a degree and a certification for medical administrative assistants. While some people prefer a degree, it does not guarantee a higher salary.
Length
Online training programs for medical administrative assistants can be completed in as little as four months, while degree programs take about two years to complete.
This is because online and technical college programs focus only on the coursework needed for medical administrative assistants, while degree programs include extra courses such as social sciences and creative arts.
Some people find that a four-month, full-time program is difficult to complete while working or raising a family. For those students, part-time or evening classes are a good option.
Online vs. In Person
Online classes are flexible, less expensive, and convenient for many people. However, some students find that they struggle to stay on task or retain information in an online format. Find out what type of learner you are and choose a program that will help you be the most successful.
Many technical colleges offer hybrid programs, where coursework is completed mostly online, and in-person instruction and practice are held once a week.
Inclusion of Externship
High-quality medical administrative assistant programs ensure that their students get real, hands-on experience through an externship. Externships allow students to work in an office setting, giving them experience working with patients and healthcare providers under the supervision of an experienced medical administrative assistant.
Before you enroll in a program, find out if they help with externship placement and offer guidance and support throughout the externship experience.
Job Placement Support
Some programs offer job placement support after graduation. These training programs help their students build resumes, practice their interview skills, apply for their dream jobs, and get hired.
Paying for Medical Administrative Assistant Training
- Scholarships. Scholarships can be used to pay for medical administrative assistant schooling. Typically, scholarships are only available for students attending traditional colleges or universities; however, some can be used for online training programs.
- Grants. Grants are another great option for students trying to pursue a career as a medical administrative assistant. Grants are available from the government to students who qualify by submitting through FAFSA.
- Student loans. Students who need financial assistance can try to get a student loan through either the government or a private institution. Student loans offered through FAFSA typically have lower interest rates, but only students attending traditional colleges can apply. Private loans are sometimes an option for students attending certificate programs, but the interest rates are typically higher and repayment requirements are more strict.
- Employer sponsorship. One of the best options for paying for training is to find an employer that offers tuition reimbursement. Large healthcare organizations will often pay for an employee to earn a certification or complete their education in exchange for a commitment to the company. Most employers expect a 1-2 year commitment to sponsor a medical administrative assistant.
Is it Possible to Get a MAA Job With No Experience or Certification?
Because no state laws require medical administrative assistants to be certified, it’s technically possible to get a job as a medical administrative assistant without any experience or certification, as long as you have a high school diploma or GED.
However, most employers prefer to hire employees who have proven their readiness for the job by completing a training program and earning a certification.
Skills Required to Become a Medical Administrative Assistant
Becoming a medical administrative assistant requires many kinds of organizational and customer service skills. Here are some of the most essential skills for medical administrative assistants:
- Communication
- Problem-solving
- Organization
- Patience
- Detail-oriented
- Medical terminology
- Fast learner
- Calm under pressure
- Computer skills
- Telephone etiquette
- Compassion
Medical Administrative Assistant Salary
Nationwide, the average salary for medical administrative assistants is $43,380 per year or $20.85 per hour.
Of course, specific wages will vary based on years of experience, job location, certification, and specialty skills. The lowest 10% of medical administrative assistants earn $31,900 per year ($15.34 per hour), while the top 10% earn $58,340 per year ($28.05).
Medical administrative assistants also enjoy good job security. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that medical support staff, including administrative roles, are some of the fastest-growing careers in the United States.
FAQs on Becoming a Medical Administrative Assistant
How long does it take to become a medical administrative assistant?
It is possible to become a medical administrative assistant immediately after graduating from high school. If you choose to earn a certification, you can become a medical administrative assistant in anywhere from four months to a few years.
How much do medical administrative assistant training programs cost?
Online medical administrative assistant programs typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000, while degree programs typically cost between $5,000 and $10,000.
Do you need a certification to become a medical administrative assistant?
Medical administrative assistants are not required to be certified. However, most healthcare organizations prefer to hire candidates who have completed a training program and earned certification.
Do you need a degree to become a medical administrative assistant?
You do not need a college degree to become a medical administrative assistant, but you will need a high school diploma or GED.
Do you need a license to become a medical administrative assistant?
A license is not required to be a medical administrative assistant.
Which states require medical administrative assistants to be certified?
While nearly all U.S. states don’t legally require that medical administrative assistants be certified before they start working, most employers won’t hire anyone who hasn’t proved their readiness for the role with training or work experience. That said, medical administrative assistant requirements vary by state.
Is it hard to become a medical administrative assistant?
It’s not very hard to become a medical administrative assistant. Many people are able to complete medical administrative assistant training while working full-time or taking care of their families.
Is it worth it to become a medical administrative assistant?
Medical administrative assistants earn a decent salary, have good schedules, and enjoy great job security. Most people are able to train and get medical administrative assistant jobs within a few months, and training courses are relatively inexpensive. Becoming a medical administrative assistant is a worthwhile career choice.
What’s the difference between medical administrative assistants, receptionists, and office assistants?
Although these titles are sometimes used interchangeably, there are some differences between medical administrative assistants and receptionists or office assistants. All of these roles involve significant administrative duties like helping patients and scheduling appointments, but medical receptionists are likely to spend more time at the front desk managing patients, while certified administrative assistants might be asked to tackle complicated tasks like billing insurers and maintaining patients’ electronic health records.
