Medical Assisting
CMA (AAMA) need to keep certification current (60 CEUs in 5 years 30 need to be AAMA approved (10 admin, 10 clinical, and 10 general).
Certification Bodies:
- NCCT:?www.ncctinc.com/certifications/ma
- NHA:?www.nhanow.com/certifications/clinical-medical-assistant
- AAMA:?www.aama-ntl.org/cma-aama-exam/eligibility
Certifications Explained:
- CMA (AAMA) – preferred?by employers and the most difficult curriculum/standards/testing. PCC Medical Assisting Program prepares students to meet the AAMA national credential.
- RMA (AMT) – is not as common, but is completely acceptable. They also support MLT folks.
- NCMA (NCCT) – is very common and completely acceptable. Testing is less challenging and less rigorous, but employers will recognize this credential.
- CCMA (NHA) – is the easiest exam and is commonly taken by graduates from programs that are not “programmatically accredited”. This means the training and schooling is all over the map. No standard and Legacy Medical Group has been trying to move away from hiring with this credential.
Associations:
- Scholarship Info. for MA students – www.theemedicalassistants.com
- American Assoc of Medical Assistants – www.aama-ntl.org
- What is a Medical Assistant – www.aama-ntl.org/medical-assisting/what-is-a-medical-assistant
- Oregon Society of Medical Assistants?– www.onlineosma.org
- The AAMA recommendations to CMA’s and students for resumes –?www.aama-ntl.org/membership/career-center#.U1bmQPldWSo
- AAMA Information (Exam, OSMA membership, etc.)
Contact information for Paula Purdy CMA (AAMA):
Director Clinic Services
Med-X Staffing Services
931 SW King Ave | Portland, OR 97205
Main: 503 922-1393 | Fax: 503 345-6696 | Email: paula@trustmedx.com
Search words for OHSU – MA, Administrative/Office Support, Allied Health, Hospital/Clinic Support, Laboratory, Professional Research
- www.advancedmedicalassistant.com
- www.newmedicalassistant.com
- www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm
- www.explorehealthcareers.org/en/Career.36.aspx
- National Center for Competency Testing –?www.ncctinc.com/certifications/ma
- National Healthcareer Association –?www.nhanow.com/certifications/clinical-medical-assistant
Various MA exams
AAMA
- www.aama-ntl.org/cma-aama-exam/study
- On this page it highlights the content you would be expected to know which?gives you an outline to go off of.
- There is also a practice exam which I highly recommend, but typically only after you’ve had time to study the material.
- They also recommend looking at Quizlet, but make sure you search for the specific exam you plan on taking. Example: “AAMA Exam Prep”
NHA
- www.nhanow.com/certification/Before-After-Certification/prep
- The NHA has a study guide and practice exam that you can purchase.
- Pass rates for the NHA are relatively high meaning this is an easier exam to study for and pass especially if you are utilizing their study material.
NCCT
- www.ncctinc.com/exam-preparation-materials
- The NCCT and NHA are similar in that they provide study guides and practice exams online and I highly recommend using their materials for their exams.