Can you train a MA that hasn't gone to school?

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I've been told by several people that you can train a medical assistant without any previous training. We have a receptionist here that would make a great MA and we are willing to train her but I can't find anything online or from the dept of nursing stating it is ok. Please help.

We are in Kansas

Thanks :nurse:

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I've been told by several people that you can train a medical assistant without any previous training. We have a receptionist here that would make a great MA and we are willing to train her but I can't find anything online or from the dept of nursing stating it is ok. Please help.

We are in Kansas

Thanks :nurse:

read post wrong - never mind

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It is possible to train any one to be a " medical assistant" , however they are not elidgable to sit for the AAMA exam to become a Certified MA, no matter how much they train.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

MAs are not regulated by the BON. If the physician is willing to hire her, he can basically do what he wants. I have heard, though, that some of the insurances that doctors accept require that a medical assistant be registered or certified (would love to hear more on this-any one know?).

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Specializes in Critical Care, Progressive Care.
I've been told by several people that you can train a medical assistant without any previous training. We have a receptionist here that would make a great MA and we are willing to train her but I can't find anything online or from the dept of nursing stating it is ok. Please help.

We are in Kansas

Thanks :nurse:

NB - I am not familiar with Kansas regulations on this (if indeed there are any).

I live in Cali - volunteered at a community clinic where they trained me to be an MA.

If you really like this woman - if she is committed to working in the practice, why not send her to school if it is required? You might work out an arrangement where the practice lends her the money for school, then forgives the loan after a specified period of service.

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Same with me czyja . . . I worked at a doc's office and was trained by the RN's mostly - but also the PA and Doc.

steph

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I've been told by several people that you can train a medical assistant without any previous training. We have a receptionist here that would make a great MA and we are willing to train her but I can't find anything online or from the dept of nursing stating it is ok. Please help.

We are in Kansas

Thanks :nurse:

I am working as a "medical assistant" but I'm not certified and I didn't go to school for it. I was fully trained on the job. I have a BS in biology, so that helped with learning the lab stuff, but other than that I was a total newbie. It worked out for me and I know plenty of other doctors that do the same thing...

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Specializes in Cardiac, ER.

Of course you can! I worked as an MA before I went to nursing school. I never had any formal training but worked for a great family doc that thought I was smart and worth training!! I learned so much and she was a great mentor for me. I will admit that I was "trained" to do many things I would never have been allowed to do outside of her office setting. In the state I'm in I was actually working under her lisc. very similar to what our EMS personel do. I will never understand why people spend sooo much money on MA school,..unless of course you work in a state that requires it.

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Specializes in ER; HBOT- lots others.

heck yeah you can. i was an MA for 6 yrs, on the job training. i just never went as far as to get certified, i knew i wasnt going to do that forever. you dont have to get certified either. i had lots of prior med experience, and that helped, but anyone can do it!!

-H-

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I recently saw an advertisement in the community college in my area (NY), and they are offering a CMA class for $2500. That is about the cheapest I saw for this course. It is about 4 months long, and to me, it would be worth the money considering it is offered at a college, will have the equipment to teach. I would pay that, personally. This position is not regulated, therefore, you meet people that got into it through different avenues...by word of mouth, recommended such as in the case of the OP's friend and various lengths of time in schools. My only suggestion is not to pay too much.

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well that's great thanks for the info. Did you have to do any paperwork? or registration?

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