Unlike other healthcare professionals, medical assistants don’t need to be licensed or certified to work in any state. But earning credentials has advantages. Some, however, carry more clout than others. The National Certified Medical Assistant Certification (NCMA) is the key to career development for medical assistants.
Should Medical Assistants Get Certified?
After completing a Medical Assistant program at CyberTex, pursuing certification is a personal choice, but there are many pros. The certification exam is challenging, and you’ll need to prepare. But as a field, medical assisting has evolved significantly in the last decade. Medical assistants are taking on more responsibility, and the many certified are leading the way. Today’s technical school graduates are on the ground floor of an opportunity to shape an entire industry, and the best qualified will reap the rewards.
Why Should I Get Certified?
The benefits of becoming certified are too good to ignore.
They include:
A Competitive Edge
Certified medical assistants have an edge when competing against experienced applicants for the best positions. Certification demonstrates high professional competency and commitment to the healthcare field.
Both patients and doctors tend to have more trust in certified medical assistants, so most employers look for certification on resumes. If the job market tightens, you’ll be a better-qualified job applicant.
Regulatory Compliance
Certification isn’t mandatory for medical assistants, but it may soon be. Being certified protects you against the inevitability of credential requirements. It also qualifies you for positions in healthcare facilities that hire only certified applicants.
Career Development
Certification opens doors to more advanced and specialized medical assisting roles. With a general certificate and experience, you can apply for specialty certifications in cardiology, urology, and mental health. Certified medical assistants are also more likely to land leadership and supervisory roles.
Network Building
Certification agencies offer ongoing education and support programs. Through the certification process and beyond, you’ll meet like-minded colleagues and learning professionals who can promote your career growth.
Self-Confidence
Preparing for the certification exam involves comprehensive training and a thorough skills review. This process alone helps you build confidence in your abilities as a medical assistant.
Personal Satisfaction
Certification is an important career milestone demonstrating your commitment to quality patient care. A source of pride and personal satisfaction, it’s an achievement worth celebrating.
How Do Medical Assistants Prepare for Certification Exams?
There are multiple pathways to certification, including some that rely on experience versus education. Still, completing a technical school program remains the most efficient and value-added way to prepare for success in the field.
The comprehensive curriculum covers many practical and soft skills, including certification exam preparation. Test topics are incorporated into lesson plans. Seasoned instructors will review the exam format, sharing tips and tricks to help you succeed. Students also benefit from peer support and study resources.
What Is the National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) Certification?
The National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) Certification is offered by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT). This independent, non-profit credentialing agency certifies a broad range of healthcare professionals, from ECG technicians to medical assistants. Certification ensures that candidates meet and maintain the knowledge and skills required for their unique roles. Exam topics are based on employer surveys, so they’re always timely and relevant.
The National Commission accredits NCCT’s certification programs for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), a nationally recognized accreditation body for certification programs in the United States. NCCA accreditation ensures that NCCT’s certification exams meet the high-quality standards employers expect.
NCCT also provides resources for healthcare professionals pursuing certification, including study materials, practice exams, and guidance on the certification process. They then support ongoing professional development through continuing education programs.
What is Tested on the NCMA Certification Exam?
The National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) exam covers skills related to medical assisting.
Topics include:
General Knowledge and Administrative Procedures
Medical terminology — the language of medicine, including prefixes, suffixes, root words, abbreviations, and acronyms.
HIPAA regulations — how the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) governs patient privacy and data security.
Medical office management — office organization, workflow, and general procedures.
Recordkeeping — paper and electronic healthcare record (EHR) systems.
Scheduling — triage, prioritization, and maintaining an efficient patient flow by managing appointments.
Telephone etiquette — communication techniques for interacting with patients over the phone.
Medical law and ethics — the expected regulatory and ethical issues in healthcare, from advanced directives to informed consent.
Time management — strategies for managing time effectively in a busy and unpredictable environment.
Anatomy and Physiology
General body structure — the organization of the human body from the cell to the system level.
Anatomical terminology — terms related to anatomy, physiology, joint disorders, and associated treatments.
Clinical Procedures
Infection control — protocols for preventing the spread of infections in healthcare settings, including sanitation, sterilization, and disinfection techniques.
Vital signs — measuring and recording vital signs, including blood pressure, temperature, pulse, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation.
Patient history and physical examination — data gathering and assisting with physical exams.
Minor surgical procedures — instrument selection, procedure preparation, medical asepsis, and post-care, including suture removal and wound management.
Patient education and communication — communicating effectively with patients when providing pre-procedure and follow-up care instructions.
Medical Billing and Coding
Health insurance models — different health insurance plans, including private policies, Medicare, and Medicaid.
Insurance verification — verifying a patient’s insurance coverage, including confirming eligibility and benefits, before scheduling services.
ICD-10 and CPT coding — use of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) and Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) coding systems for medical billing.
Claims processing — the insurance claims completion and submission process.
Billing and reimbursement procedures — the healthcare revenue cycle and medical billing practices, including coding and payment tracking processes.
Clinical Laboratory Procedures
Specimen collection and handling — techniques for collecting, labeling, and processing medical specimens, from urine to tissue samples.
Phlebotomy — venous blood collection, including venipuncture and capillary puncture.
Basic laboratory testing — commonly ordered tests and their diagnostic purposes.
Electrocardiography (ECG) — performing and interpreting electrocardiograms (ECGs) to monitor cardiac activity.
Quality control and safety procedures — ensuring the accuracy and safety of laboratory procedures and diagnostic testing.
Patient Care
Patient communication and education — therapeutic communication techniques.
Patient assessment — taking patient histories and recognizing the signs of illness or distress.
Assisting with examinations and procedures — supporting patients and providers during exams and treatments.
Medical emergencies and CPR — responding to medical emergencies and administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Patient-centered care — prioritizing the well-being of patients and their rights to make informed decisions about their care.
Professionalism
Code of ethics — the medical assistant’s code of ethics and how it shapes professional practice.
Professional appearance — maintaining appropriate attire, personal hygiene, and a courteous demeanor.
Conflict Resolution — handling interpersonal conflicts professionally and constructively.
Teamwork and collaboration — working with other professionals as a healthcare team.
Professional boundaries — the importance of maintaining professional boundaries with patients to prevent conflicts of interest or inappropriate relationships.
Self-regulation and accountability — recognizing the need for self-improvement and taking responsibility for personal development.
Cultural competency — interacting with others in ways that respect their culture and traditions.
Continuing education — resources for staying up to date with advancements in the medical assisting field through continuing education and on-the-job training.
The test format includes 150 scored questions plus an extra 15 for quality control. Most are multiple-choice, but a few are drop-and-drag questions or graph interpretations, while completely digital skills demonstrations are separate from the exam. You’ll have three hours to finish the test. Results are pass-fail and available immediately upon completion.
The NCCT supports its certification applicants with the Interactive Review System. A learning tool that simulates testing. It offers rationales for answers and evaluates your performance in key content areas. Not only does it help develop your critical thinking skills, but it also helps you focus your study efforts.
Final Thoughts
Medical assisting is a growing and dynamic field with a bright future for those willing to seize it through education and certification. Earning The National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) Certificate positions you for long-term personal and professional success. While obtaining the NHAC certification is a strategic investment for any medical assistant seeking to advance their career, improve their skills, and enhance their contribution to the healthcare field, NCMA certification is a valuable asset for individuals and organizations. It signifies professionalism, expertise, and commitment to excellence.
Want to Learn More?
The Medical Assistant Training Program at CyberTex Institute of Technology takes excellent care of you by providing hands-on training, practical experience, and the support it takes to get started in a medical assisting career without spending years in school. You will learn clinical and administrative skills and prepare to work in physician’s offices, hospitals, and other medical facilities.
Contact us today to learn more about our Austin and Killeen campuses.