Working as a medical assistant...

[healthjustice]

Hello-

I'm just finishing up my first year of a BSN program. Does anyone know if we can work as "certified" medical assistants without having to take an exam or something? Thanks.

[Little Panda RN, ASN, RN]

As far as I know you can not work as a Certified Medical Assistant without first taking the exam offered through the American Association of Medical Assistants. Then of course your school has to be qualified in order for you to sit for this exam. I was a medical assistant for many years and what I learned in school was different than what I learned in nursing school. To get more answers to you question you can visit their website www.aama-ntl.org

[EricJRN, MSN, RN]

No way to shortcut the CMA exam these days, but most states will allow just about anyone to work in clinics as a non-certified MA. (Generally, the title 'medical assistant' is not a protected title like 'nurse' would be.)

Many physicians are willing to hire nursing students for non-certified positions and train them for patient care duties. Good luck!

[potato]

Many physicians are willing to hire nursing students for non-certified positions and train them for patient care duties.

I was an unlicensed MA for many years after high school. Most will hire just about anyone, as long as they don't have to pay them much, and as long as they will do whatever the doctor says to do.

[healthjustice]

Thanks all of you for your responses.

[EricJRN, MSN, RN]

I was an unlicensed MA for many years after high school. Most will hire just about anyone, as long as they don't have to pay them much, and as long as they will do whatever the doctor says to do.

Yep - I fit that description during high school and my first round of college.