Medical assisting is a burgeoning field in the United States. Due to the rising population of elderly Americans, technological advancements in the field, and anticipated growth in the number of U.S. healthcare facilities, positions for medical assistants are projected to increase by 23% over the next decade.Medical assistants provide both clinical and administrative support in hospitals, physician's offices, and other healthcare facilities. Successful medical assistants should be able to communicate clearly with patients, support doctors, multitask, and stay calm in stressful situations. Students who complete online medical assistant programs are fully equipped with the skills needed to excel in the field.
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LinkedInOnline Medical Assistant Degree Overview
| Degree Level | Average Cost | Loan Default Rate | Time Commitment | Early Career Pay | Mid-Career Pay | Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Associate | $16,539 | 16.2% | 1+ years | $29,600 | $34,400 | 4% |
Students enrolled in online medical assistant programs typically graduate in one or two years. Graduates from medical assistant programs online can expect to find a variety job opportunities immediately after school. An associate degree will enhance your career options, and because medical assistant programs online are not offered at a higher degree level, this is the right degree for professionals entering the field.
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| Career | Median Salary | Projected Growth | 2014 Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Administrative Medical Assistant | $29,960 | 23% | 591300 |
| Clinical Medical Assistant | $30,631 | 23% | 591300 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $29,810 | 9% | 372500 |
| Medical Records Technician | $35,900 | 15% | 29000 |
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The Certified Medical Assistant Exam
The Certified Medical Assistant Exam (CMA) is a credential awarded through the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Recent and upcoming graduates from an accredited medical assisting program, including online medical assistant programs, can take the CMA for $125. Non-recent graduates can take the exam for $250 (or $300 for those whose certification has expired). The CMA tests general medical, administrative, and clinical knowledge through 200 multiple-choice questions delivered across four 40-minute segments.
National Certified Medical Assistant Exam
The National Certified Medical Assistant Exam (NCMA) enables medical assistants to obtain certification through the National Certification Career Association (NCCA). Eligible candidates are current students or graduates from a medical assisting program (including online medical assistant programs), people with two years of verifiable full-time experience as a medical assistant, and those who completed training in medical assisting in the U.S. Military (as long as the education or work experience occurred within the last five years). The test is $90 for students, graduates within the last six months, and those with military training. For other candidates, the test costs $135. The exam tests clinical and administrative knowledge with sections on pharmacology, phlebotomy, medical procedures, general office procedures, and law and ethics. There are 15 unscored pretest items and 150 scored items.
Registered Medical Assistant Exam
This certification from the American Medical Technologists demonstrates competency and skills to employers. Those eligible for the RMA include recent or upcoming graduates from an accredited medical assisting program — including a medical assistant certification online — or a formal medical services training program of the United States Armed Forces. Other eligible candidates include those employed as a medical assistant for a minimum of five out of the last seven years, instructors from accredited medical assisting programs, or anybody that has passed another certification organization's general medical assistant exam. The cost is $120. The RMA consists of 210 multiple-choice questions covering three sections: general medical assisting knowledge, administrative medical assisting, and clinical medical assisting.
Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Exam
The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Exam (CCMA) is a certification from the National Healthcareer Association, intended for clinical medical assistants. To be eligible, candidates must have completed a training program in clinical medical assisting (such as an online medical assistant program) within the last five years, or have at least one year of work experience within the field during the last three years. The exam costs $149, although many schools choose to include the cost of the exam as a part of your tuition. The six main sections of the CCMA test patient care, communication, office administration, medical law and ethics, phlebotomy, and EKG monitoring. The exam includes 20 pretest questions and 150 main questions.