With 16 weeks of training, you can work alongside doctors while providing care in various settings. Here’s how to become a clinical medical assistant.
At NTX Training Institue, we break the process down into four steps (and we’ll help you with each one):
- Graduate from an accredited medical assistant program
- Apply for medical assistant certification
- Pass the NHA Certification Exam
- Find a great job
Medical assistants work with patients and administrators.
Clinical medical assistants (CMAs) are health professionals who assist physicians and nurses, and their work ranges from patient care to administration.
So, if you’re a CMA, you are responsible for assisting with treatment and keeping healthcare facilities running smoothly; it’s a lot of responsibility, but the position offers room for advancement.
Let’s walk through the steps you need to take to become a clinical medical assistant.
CMAs are usually the first person a patient interacts with, making them critical members of healthcare teams. They must also be flexible since they perform a variety of tasks, such as:
- checking patients in and out of the facility;
- monitoring and recording patients’ vital signs;
- assisting with procedures; and
- administering injections and medications.
Because of their wide range of duties, CMAs need thorough training. At NTX, we like to think of our training as the first part of a four-step process. Let’s review the steps and see if it’s right for you.
Step 1: Graduate from an accredited medical assistant program.
Prospective CMAs need classroom coaching where they can learn a combination of theory and hands-on instruction. A quality clinical medical assistant program should also offer medical equipment training to prepare students fully for the technical side of the job.
NTX Training Institute’s program is sixteen weeks long. We offer a flexible schedule, which includes day and night classes.
Look for financial assistance,
Your financial situation shouldn’t prevent you from achieving your goals. NTX Training Institute offers several scholarships and payment plans for students.
Step 2: Apply for a medical assistant certification.
As mentioned, aspiring clinical medical assistants are credentialed through the National Healthcare Association (NHA). It’s important to remember that you get the training at places like NTX, but you have to pass the exam to get certified.
You’ll need to apply through the NHA’s website before you can sit for the exam, but we help you through the process.
Step 3: Pass the NHA exam.
The exam you need to take to become a certified clinical medical assistant covers everything you learn in class—from what’s in the textbook to what you may encounter in a medical or healthcare setting. It lasts three hours and consists of 150 scoring questions and 30 pre-test questions.
At NTX Training Institute, students can sit for the test on the last day of class.
Step 4: Find employment.
Once you have certification, you can apply for positions. There’s an urgent need for CMAs in many medical settings, including the following:
- Hospitals
- Doctor’s offices
- Outpatient clinics
- Rehabilitation centers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that medical assistant opportunities will grow by 18% by 2030. This is good news for aspiring clinical medical assistants.
NTX Training Institute can help you become a clinical medical assistant today.
Start training for a new career at NTX. Contact us today to get started.
