Professional Certifying Organizations Several professional organizations certify and represent medical assistants. Obtaining a certification and aligning with a professional organization is an unparalleled level of professionalism. These organizations provide medical assistants with a network of career professionals who promote their profession and serve as a source of ongoing education. Certification is the process by which a recognized credentialing agency or professional organization determines that an individual has met the required education or experience criteria. Obtaining professional credentials also has a great impact on employability. Although in the past holding credentials was simply an added benefit for a medical assistant in the field, today more and more employers are requiring credentials as a condition for employment. In fact, in October 2015, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final ruling mandating that only credentialed medical assistants are able to enter orders for a physician in a computerized order entry system. This ruling is a component of the U.S. government’s Electronic Health Records Incentive Program, part of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) that provides financial incentives to encourage the use of electronic health records (EHR). Because of this ruling, the need for credentialed medical assistants is expected to soar. American Association of Medical Assistants The AAMA is a national certifying agency with headquarters in Chicago, Illinois. The AAMA offers the Certified Medical Assistant CMA (AAMA) credential. The AAMA certification examination is offered to graduates of programs accredited by the CAAHEP or by the ABHES. Those who meet this eligibility requirement must complete an application process and then successfully complete the certification examination. Upon successful completion of the certification examination, candidates receive a CMA (AAMA) certificate, which confirms them as certified medical assistants. To maintain certification, a CMA (AAMA) must show evidence of 60 recertification points, which are similar to continuing education units. Continuing education units (CEUs) represent measured increments of training and education that are obtained in order to keep abreast of current trends in health care and promote professional development. Of these 60 points, at least 30 must be AAMA-approved continuing education units. The remaining 30 CEUs may be obtained by sources other than the AAMA. If you have not completed the 60 hours of continuing education within five years, you must retake and pass the CMA (AAMA) exam to maintain your certification.

National Healthcareer Association

Since 1989, the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) has been partnering with allied health education programs, organizations, and employers across the nation to award more than 500,000 allied health certifications. NHA offers eight nationally accredited exams, certification preparation, and study materials. NHA also offers industry-leading outcomesbased data analytics as well as ongoing professional development and continuing education for its certification holders. NHA grants two medical assisting credentials, the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) and the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA). A CCMA will work in the clinical or back office areas of health care settings. A CMAA will work in the administrative or front office areas of health care settings. To qualify for either of these credentials, the applicant must be over 18 years of age, have a high school diploma or GED equivalent, have completed a training program in the field of health care covered by the certification exam, or have at least one year of verifiable, full-time, supervised work experience in the field.

American Medical Technologists (AMT), with national offices located in Rosemont (Chicago), Illinois, is a certifying agency for medical assistants, phlebotomists, medical technologists, medical administrative specialists, and dental assistants (Figure 1-7). AMT requires continuing education in order to maintain certification for all the disciplines. CEUs can be obtained through attending state and national conferences, completing online activities, and furthering education in the medical field. The Registered Medical Assistant RMA (AMT) credential is awarded to candidates who pass the AMT certification examination. The RMA certification examination is developed around the following parameters.

Professionalism and the Law

It is important to fully understand what your credentials allow you to do. The medical assistant is uniquely qualified to perform the administrative and clinical procedures associated with responsibilities assigned in the particular setting by the physician. In fulfilling these responsibilities, however, you must always be aware that the potential for psychological, financial, and physical injury to the patient exists. It is your ethical responsibility to patients and your employer that you do your utmost to maintain a high level of skill performance in all that you do. The medical assistant always works as an agent of the physician. It is also important that you work only within the scope of practice for medical assisting. It is a crime to perform procedures that only nurses or physicians are licensed to do. Although most duties can be performed in all states, each state may have a different scope of practice for medical assisting. It is your responsibility to become familiar with the law or qualification in your state. Be sure to understand your role as a medical assistant, and do not deviate from it.

Medical assistants must consider their moral and ethical beliefs before accepting a job. These beliefs often are derived from religious views. Some offices may perform procedures or treatments that go against your views. It is always necessary to keep personal opinions and beliefs to yourself and not impose these beliefs on patients. Examples of possible conflicts may include an office that performs an abortion or an office that performs extensive research in genetic engineering.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES According to the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics regarding medical assistants, “employment is expected to grow much faster than average, ranking medical assistants among the fastest growing occupations over the 2012–2022 decade. Job opportunities should be excellent, particularly for those with formal training or experience, and certification.” In fact, the employment of medical assistants is projected by the U.S. Department of Labor to grow 29 percent in those 10 years. Technological advances in medicine and the growth in numbers of aging members of the U.S. population will necessitate more medical assistants.