medical assistant certification Virginia

Getting a Medical Assistant Certification in Virginia

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Did you know that the median salary for a medical assistant is $37,190 per year?

Becoming a medical assistant is a fulfilling career that requires much less legwork than becoming a doctor. You get to help people in the field of medicine and make a decent entry-level salary. It’s a great way to start building up to other medical careers, and there are endless opportunities for medical assistants. 

However, it does require that you get a medical assistant certification in Virginia. Given that medicine is a prestigious industry, it can seem daunting for an outsider to make it. But we’re here to make that process as simple and painless as possible.

Keep reading for everything you need to know about becoming an MA.

What Is a Medical Assistant?

There are two types of medical assistants: administrative, and clinical. A person can work in both roles, but the second is more involved.

Administrative Medical Assistants

Administrative assistants deal with clerical work. Tasks include the following and more:

  • Handling phone calls
  • Doing check-in
  • Updating records
  • Scheduling appointments

Some medical knowledge is required to fulfill this role, but not as much as a clinical medical assistant.

Clinical Medical Assistant

The clinical assistant works directly with patients. Tasks include the following, and many more:

  • Record medical histories
  • Take measurements
  • Explain and prepare treatments
  • Administer medications
  • Assist the physician in any capacity

As you can see, this career provides you with up-and-close medical experience. You’ll get to take part in crucial day-to-day patient care, rather than just working at a desk.

Medical Assistant Education Requirements

To become a medical assistant, it’s generally a good idea to have two things: an undergraduate education from an accredited institution, and CCMA certification. Both of these will ensure you have the best chance of becoming a medical assistant. Some MAs don’t have certification, and some don’t have education, but opportunities are better for those with both.

Education can take between 1-2 years. This tends to be an associate degree that covers general medical topics to help you assist the physician in a variety of capacities. Topics may include anatomy, pharmacology, clinical procedure, and more.

In addition to this education, you must have some clinical training. This clinical training is often unpaid, occurring on-site in some kind of healthcare setting. Think of this like a residency for a doctor.

To be clear, a degree as a medical assistant isn’t necessary to become one. A certificate is means of getting into one of these jobs and shaving off 1-2 years in the process.

Medical Assistant Certification in Virginia

If you want to become a medical assistant, but you aren’t interested in the degree route, then you can get a certificate. 

You’ll cover the same material as medical assistant classes in Virginia, albeit less in-depth. Education will cover a broader range of topics. Of course, taking a degree as a medical assistant will add several years until you can get a job.

Your certificate should be CCMA accredited. Like with an education, you can pursue multiple certificates at once. You can even take them online to lighten the load of attending in-person classes.

Compensation for Medical Assistants

If you live and work in Virginia, the median salary is very close to the national average. Expect to make an average of $29,250 starting out. The most experienced workers make at least $48,170. 

However, do keep in mind that this job is a lot like other careers in medicine. Expect to work long shifts, as well as holidays or when school is out. You may also have to cover long shifts for co-workers, resulting in long doubles.

The highest earners for medical assistants are outpatient care workers. The next in line are hospitals, physician offices, and chiropractor offices. The majority of MAs work in physician offices.

Opportunities for Medical Assistants

Every career in medicine is in high demand, so you won’t have to look hard for work. Medical assistants are not the exception here. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a 16% increase in demand by 2031.

This is because of the baby boomer generation, one of the largest generations ever. The youngest boomers are in their late 50s, meaning they will soon reach retirement age. There will be a sharp rise in the elderly population over the coming years, so MA jobs will be consistently in high demand.

Remember, the medical field is huge. Becoming an MA is an excellent stepping stone to reaching more niche, higher-paying areas. Think of this as the easiest way to get your foot in the door.

Some assume that being an MA with just a certificate is not enough, but that’s not necessarily true. Many MAs only begin with a certification, and then work their way up from there.

Medical Assistant Programs for Certification

Medical assistant certification in Virginia is right in your neighborhood. You can either attend in-person classes or work at your own pace with an online course. Courses are affordable, and you can often get certified for less than $1,000. 

Over the period of the course, you will accumulate 1,200 hours of instruction, paired with internship experience. The accreditation is national. You can work anywhere you want in the U.S. and Canada.

Accreditation can also include agencies such as:

  • National Healthcareer Association 
  • National Association for Phlebotomy Technician Professionals (NAPTP)
  • American Medical Certification Association (AMCA)
  • National Healthcareer Association (NHA)

Part of the certification is a required internship. This part will be your responsibility. However, you will get more info and your instructor will supply you with a letter of recommendation.

Get Your Medical Assistant Certification Today

Medical assistant certification in Virginia can open the door for you to a job that is satisfying and pays well. If after a few years you find the career doesn’t suit you, you can use the experience to move on to something that does. And since you only need a certificate, you can often find a job faster than if you’d studied.

Phlebotomy Career Training is the best place for you to get certified in everything from phlebotomy to EGC technician work. If you’re not sure which is best for you, contact us for more information.