Mississippi Medical Assistant Programs

How to Become a Medical Assistant in Mississippi - Medical Assistant Programs in Mississippi

A medical assistant provides medical services under the supervision of a physician. The scope of services is limited to provide certain immunizations, taking vital signs and performing physical examinations for diagnosis. These are all done under the careful supervising doctor. Most of the work that physician assistants or medical assistants do with patients is in preventative care. To become a medical assistant in Mississippi one must state by attending a program that is certified or approved by the American Academy of Physician Assistants. An examination is administered to become certified in this state to practice as a physician assistant.

The pathway to become a medical assistant in Mississippi is to first obtain a high school diploma or equivalent such as a GED. Then a bachelor degree in preferably a science major such as biology. Students are required to complete a physician assistant training program successfully. Mississippi College offers a program that earns a master degree when completed. In this training program the student will study anatomy and physiology, clinical and diagnostic medicine, pharmacology, surgery, orthopedics and emergency and critical care. There are clinical hours completed at an inpatient and outpatient facility.

Once this training program is complete after 27 months, the student will then be able to take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam, also called the PANCE. This test is administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. Once this test is successfully completed, the medical assistant must become certified with the state of Mississippi to work as a medical assistant. There is a recertification that requires 100 hours of coursework every two years. There is also an exam that needs to be taken every six years. It is important that the medical assistant maintains their certification to be eligible to work in the state.

Medical assistants in Mississippi work in medical settings such as private practices, hospitals, clinics or even with the armed forces and federal government. There are many opportunities in the field of medicine for a physician assistant. A medical assistant may help in surgery, order lab testing, take physical examinations of patients and diagnose or treat certain illnesses. The job outlook for this career in the state of Mississippi is good. There is an expected 30% increase in jobs over the next ten years, and training for the position now will offer many benefits once a student has become a registered and certified medical assistant.