NHA CERTIFICATION
Whether you want to work in a doctor’s office or a large hospital system, becoming a CCMA with NHA shows that you are knowledgeable and ready to be a valued member of a healthcare team.
What Does a Medical Assistant Do?
A medical assistant is a multi-skilled allied health care professional that specializes in procedures commonly performed in the ambulatory health care setting. Medical assistants perform both clinical and administrative duties and assist a variety of providers including physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants. They typically work in medical offices, clinics, urgent care centers and may work in general medicine or specialty practices.
Common duties of a medical assistant include administrative and clinical tasks like:
Why Earn a Medical Assistant Certification?
According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), employment of medical assistants is expected to grow 23 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations, which are expected to grow around 7 percent.
Online job postings suggest an even more robust growth in MA employment than the BLS. Research by Gray Associates suggests in 2012 and 2013, MA job postings increased at least 9% each year. In 2014, postings increased 15% and a high annual growth rate continued in 2015.
Having a nationally accredited certification, like the CCMA, can help you stand out. Certification may also be required or preferred for certain job opportunities in the profession.
Many organizations are now offering career laddering opportunities for medical assistants with elevated responsibilities and pay. Elevated roles may include those of a scribe, health coach, patient navigator, population health manager and patient care coordinator.
