Medical Assistant Programs in Mississippi
Becoming a certified medical assistant (CMA) is a great way to pursue a secure career in the booming healthcare sector. Certification is not required in the state of Mississippi, but it is highly recommended. Not only would it make you more competitive in your job search, but it would also give you a head start in your career and on-the-job training. Additionally, more and more healthcare employers are opting to hire medical assistants with a certification from an accredited school.
Medical Assistant Training Programs in Mississippi
The first step toward becoming certified is to enroll in either an associate degree program or a certification program at a community college or vocational training school. This training is required in order to take the national certification exam, which is offered by the certifying board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). There are a couple different programs in the state, and you could also enroll in online courses if that is more convenient. Check the AAMA website to check for a current listing of accredited programs in the state. This means that it is approved by either the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). Most hospitals, physician offices, or clinics will look for this qualification.
The training you receive in the certification program will cover many skills, both on the administrative side of the job as well as the clinical side. Medical assistants’ duties will vary greatly depending on their place of employment. They might work in hospitals, nursing homes, outpatient clinics, or even the office of a podiatrist or optometrist. In most places, they usually perform a large variety of tasks. They need to be able to communicate effectively with patients, other healthcare workers, and also insurance companies. They are in charge of making appointments, filing medical records, billing, and other tasks that help the administrative side of an office run efficiently. Some of the clinical tasks they perform include taking blood, patient assessment, patient education, preparing a patient for a procedure, and running basic lab tests or other diagnostic procedures.
There were approximately 2,390 medical assistants working in Mississippi in 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and it is one of the fastest growing professions in the medical field. The growing elderly population as well as the increase of outpatient care facilities. are some main reasons behind this growth. There are three local chapters of the AAMA as well, which can be a help to you as you navigate your career. The mean annual salary was $25,050. This will be higher in more urban areas, as well as with more experience or specialization. Get started now in medical assisting by finding the perfect training program for you. A secure career in healthcare can be yours in less than a year.
Check out the Medical Billing and Coding programs in Mississippi. There are some great career opportunities for medical billing and medical coding specialists in Mississippi. It is worth checking out if it is a good fit for you.
(Sources: Bureau of Labor and Statistics, AAMA, CAAHEP, salary.com)
