The Association of Medical Technologists (AMT) offers the RMA certification. The AMT is the only national certification organization for medical laboratory technicians and technologists. An RMA certification prepares a medical assistant to work in a wide variety of healthcare settings. Perhaps you want to work in occupational medicine or focus on cardiovascular care.

Applicants must fulfill one of the qualifying requirements to acquire the RMA certification. These qualifications include having at least a high school diploma, completing an accredited medical assistant program, and 2 years of experience working as a registered medical assistant.

The RMA exam verifies that a candidate has the necessary knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the duties of a medical assistant. Individuals who take and pass the RMA test have a better chance of getting hired in a medical office. The exam consists of 200 to 210 questions, which the candidate has to answer in two hours. The exam will be graded on a scale of 1 to 100, with 70 being the passing result.

The test is divided into three sections. The first section is General Medical Assisting Knowledge. This includes basic medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, laboratory procedures, medical law and ethics, and pharmacology. The second section is Administrative Assisting Skills. It includes time management and organizational skills, maintaining patient charts and medical records, referrals to specialists, medication administration, and medical billing. The final section is Clinical Medical Assisting Skills. It includes assisting with examinations, preparing patients for examinations, taking vital signs, applying dressings and surgical supplies to wounds, assisting with minor surgery, assisting in radiological procedures such as taking x-rays and administering contrast dyes during x-rays, basic care of the premature and newborn infant, and handling emergencies.

Candidates must pay an examination fee of $120.00 to take the examination, which is non-refundable. If they need to retake the exam, they will be charged an extra $90. They have 45 days after their prior attempt to retake the exam.

The RMA certificate lasts for 3 years. It is required to pay an additional annual fee to maintain your certificate as a registered medical assistant as an officially registered medical assistant. You must also fulfill a continuing education requirement to keep your certificate.

The medical assistant will become in greater need as the healthcare industry increases due to advances in medicine and the increasing aging of the population. The growth in the number of medical assistants employed is projected to reach 18% between 2020- 2030. This is significantly faster than the average as per the BLS. Medical assistants also have a median annual salary of $33,000, higher than registered nurses. The good news is that the demand for medical assistants is up, and the competition between workers is likely fierce.

Medical assistants may work in various settings, including public, private, and military hospitals. For example, they might work in general care, emergency care, administration, or medical coding and billing. Working as a medical assistant can help you further your education or become a career-changer. The RMA will not only give you that extra boost, but it's also an additional training course that may lead you to other opportunities, such as becoming an RN assistant or pharmacist's assistant.