Get Certified To Become a Medical Assistant
If you are looking for a new career in the healthcare field, you may want to consider becoming a medical assistant. Certified medical assistants are in demand and crucial for patient care. They play an important role in the growing healthcare field and employment opportunities are abundant and well-compensated. So how long does it take to become a medical assistant anyway? The answer may surprise you!
Do I Need To Be Certified To Become a Medical Assistant?
Medical assisting is one of the few healthcare careers that doesn’t require certification, though on-the-job training positions are much harder to find than they used to be. All you need to become a medical assistant through on-the-job training is a GED and an employer willing to train you. If you can’t find a position that offers on-the-job training (or want to qualify for higher pay and better career opportunities), you may consider becoming a certified medical assistant.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Certified Medical Assistant?
Every program and state differs, but most medical assisting certificates can be earned in less than a year. At Param Institute of Institute (PIE), we offer a 20-week training course that prepares you for certification. The best part? The last 5 weeks are an externship that allows you to gain valuable experience while you are finishing up your training. Once you finish the training program of your choice, you will have to pass an exam to become certified. The cost for these exams ranges from $95-195 depending on where you live.
Most importantly, a comprehensive training course will teach you everything you need to know to pass your exam with flying colors and succeed in your first job as a certified medical assistant.