How To Get Your Medical Assistant Certification In Houston, Texas

What is a Medical Assistant?

Medical assistants make a significant impact in the healthcare world! They provide patient care, handle administrative and clinical tasks, and provide services for doctors and nurses. They help keep healthcare facilities running smoothly and are highly valued healthcare team members.

What Is the Primary Role of a Medical Assistant?

Medical assistants primarily work in drug clinics, medical offices, hospitals, patients' homes, outpatient facilities, and surgical operating centers. Their role can vary significantly from job to job for various reasons. First and foremost, there are three main types of medical assistants; administrative, clinical, and registered/certified. Their everyday tasks and responsibilities have many similarities and differences; however, they all play an essential role in the daily operations of any physician's office, hospital, or healthcare facility.

The role of a medical assistant may also vary depending on the facility where they work. Some medical assistants work at hospitals offering a wide range of services. Others may work at medical offices specializing in areas like optometry, podiatry, dermatology, or otolaryngology. Along with the different types and specialties, medical assistant roles can vary depending on the location and size of the practice.

Typical Workday For A Medical Assistant

Despite the different types, specialties, and locations, a typical workday for a medical assistant in Houston, Texas, may include the following:

• Recording patient history and personal information
• Measuring patient vital signs such as temperature, blood pressure, respiratory rate, pulse, and heart rate
• Assisting physicians with patient examinations
• Administering patient's medications (when directed by physicians and permitted by state law)
• Scheduling patient appointments
• Preparing blood samples for laboratory tests
• Processing paperwork and billing insurance
• Updating medical records with patient information

How To Become A Medical Assistant

Some states may require medical assistants to complete a medical assistant program and pass an approved exam to become medical assistants. Certification is not a requirement in most states; however, employers may prefer to hire an assistant with a certified medical assistant certification. (1)

Medical Assistant Education Requirements in Houston, TX

Generally, medical assistants in Houston must have at least a high school diploma. Besides a high school diploma, formal education is optional to pursue a medical assistant career in Texas and many other states. Some medical assistant jobs require no experience and offer on-the-job training, though it is rare. Most employers prefer to hire a medical assistant who has completed postsecondary education programs and earned a certification. (1)

Getting Certified As A Medical Assistant

Getting certified as a medical assistant is an exciting and great way to start your medical assistant career. Medical assistant programs prepare students with hands-on training and real-world experience to feel confident and ready to enter the field when they graduate. Becoming a medical assistant certification holder opens many fantastic career opportunities. A CMA certification can provide the following:

Better Job Opportunities

Although certification is not a requirement in many states, employers typically prefer to hire certified medical assistants. A medical assistant certification will help you stand out from competitors and provide you with more job choices and better employment opportunities.

Higher Pay

Certified medical assistants also have the potential to earn more. Certification will make you more valuable to employers, which could help you get a higher starting wage.

Valuable Skills & Experience

In addition to better job opportunities and pay, a medical assistant certification will give you a better understanding of the medical field. You'll gain the skills, knowledge, and experience to help you serve patients and assist healthcare professionals to the best of your abilities.

How To Get A Medical Assistant Certification Houston, TX

To be eligible for medical assistant certification in Houston, you must complete a medical assisting program with a minimum of 80 clinical hours. After completion of the program, you can take a certification exam such as the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam issued by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). Graduates of Houston Medical Assistant School are officially Certified Clinical Medical Assistants (CCMA) upon completion of the course and passing the national exam, which is through National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

These medical assistant certifications demonstrate that you have obtained the required knowledge and skills to provide medical assistance in multiple medical settings. Once certified by NHA, medical assistants can apply for positions as certified medical assistants at healthcare facilities throughout Houston and the entire United States!

How Long Does It Take To Get Certified As A Medical Assistant in Houston, Texas?

In Houston, medical assistants typically need to complete medical assistant programs that include classes, on-the-job training, and clinical preparation. The exact timing of medical assistant certification depends on the school or program and the individual's commitment.

Most medical assistant certification programs can take anywhere from 9 months to one year to complete. Additionally, many medical assistant certification programs require passing a certified medical assistant exam at the end of the program to become officially certified as a medical assistant. At Houston Medical Assistant School, students can complete the program in just 6 months!

How Much Does it Cost to Become Certified as a Medical Assistant in Houston, Texas?

Becoming a medical assistant in Houston, Texas, can be relatively affordable. Several medical assistant programs offer affordable tuition, financial aid, and even payment plans to make certifications more accessible. Depending on the program, the cost of certification for a medical assistant can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. It is vital to research the programs available for medical assistants and find one that fits your budget and lifestyle. At Houston Medical Assistant School, we’ve designed our program in such a way that tuition is affordable, and we offer custom payment plans, too.

Can I Become a Medical Assistant Without Certification?

Yes, becoming a medical assistant without certification in Houston, Texas, is possible. Certification is not required to enter the medical assisting field; however, many employers may require certification to fill the medical assistant position at their facility. So, even though it is possible to become a medical assistant without certification, finding job opportunities that don't require certification may be difficult.

Houston Medical Assistant Program

Our medical assistant program at Houston Medical Assistant School is designed with our students in mind! With a flexible, hybrid schedule, our students can keep their jobs, raise their families, and still enjoy their free time while working towards fulfilling their careers in the medical field.

Our medical assistant program allows aspiring medical assistants to start their new careers in healthcare at a fraction of the cost of other schools. With low-cost, affordable tuition, students can explore medical assisting without the risk of student loan debt. Plus, our customizable prepayment plans allow you to start making payments sooner, which can lower your weekly amount significantly.

Our career services provide students with support and guidance every step of the way because everything we do is with our student's success in mind!

Start An Exciting Journey To A Career As A Medical Assistant

Healthcare is one of the fastest-growing industries in the United States. As the demand for healthcare services continues to grow, there's no better time than now to begin a career as a medical assistant. Are you interested in learning more? Head to our website for more information or to apply today!

References:

1. bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm#tab-4