While both Medical Assistants (MAs) and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) provide essential patient care, they’re quite different careers. MAs split their time between clinical and administrative duties in outpatient settings with 1-2 years of training, while CNAs focus exclusively on hands-on patient care in hospitals or nursing homes with just 4-12 weeks […]
The Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) from AAMA is the gold standard certification, recognized nationwide and preferred by most employers. Other excellent options include the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) from AMT and the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) from NHA – your best choice depends on your educational background, career focus, and state […]
Exceptional medical assistants combine empathy and patience with unwavering professionalism, mental resilience to handle stressful situations, and a genuine commitment to continuous learning. These personal qualities, paired with strong communication and teamwork skills, transform technical training into meaningful patient care that makes a real difference. Your Personal Qualities – The Foundation of […]
You’ll need a high school diploma or GED to start, then complete a medical assisting program (9 months to 2 years) from an accredited school. While certification like the CMA or RMA isn’t always legally required, 62% of employers prefer certified candidates – making it your key to better jobs and higher […]
Medical assistants need three core skill sets to thrive: strong interpersonal abilities (like active listening and empathy), technical competencies (including vital signs measurement and EMR proficiency), and exceptional organizational skills for managing multiple responsibilities. These diverse skills allow you to bridge clinical and administrative duties while making a real difference in patients’ […]
