Last edited:
Medical assistants without certification?
- Thread starter hkim1026
- Start date
- Joined
- Nov 22, 2010
- Messages
- 572
- Reaction score
- 78
This is true of some doctor's offices.
Look for job announcements and see what their requirements are. If they don't require certification, they might still require prior experience. If they don't require certification OR experience, then just apply.
Don't worry about the cost in $$, because the cost in time is more significant. It takes about a year in my state (Oregon), and you could be doing better things with your time if you want to go to med school.
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2008
- Messages
- 346
- Reaction score
- 3
I was reading some of the threads that saying that some doctor's offices hire medical assistants without certification. I ve been hearing that some offices train you.
is that true?
bcuz i tried doing that by calling the offices and asking if they hire MAs without certification and none of them said they do that.
and if it is true, how did you approach them to hire you? since most of the clinics or offices prefer certified personnel, it's kinda hard to find any clinics..
my second q: how much does the medical assistant program usually cost?
please help!thank you
Yes, I was trained as a medical assistant on the job.. but that is because I was already working for the doctor for nearly two years as her receptionist and she offered to train me.
I don't think most physicians would want the headache for someone they have never met or barely know. Unfortunately, MA's have somewhat of a bad rep because the schools accept anyone.. and I mean anyone. There are, of course, a lot of really great MA's...but I say this because the doc I worked for took new MA's for externships and the number of bad apples far outweighed the good ones (at least in my experience!)
Also, students tend to really slow things down for the doctor and office. You would probably have better luck doing a formal program (usually around $12,000 for 9 months). Other options you could consider would be training for phlebotomy. Many labs will train new phlebotomists, but the schooling to get certified is a lot shorter (maybe 12 weeks at the most) and a lot less costly. Many community colleges offer these. If you're looking for a more direct patient care role, CNA may fill that need for you although, as far as I can tell, its rare to find a CNA performing the role of a MA.
Best of luck
- Joined
- Sep 13, 2009
- Messages
- 197
- Reaction score
- 73
Not true. Just craigslist it up, most postings will say if they REQUIRE an MA certification or if they will do on the job training. Trust me, most doctors would rather work with individuals who are genuinely interested in medicine and aspire to be physicians or PA's rather than someone who just wants to do a "9-5 job and get the bills paid doing MA **** for the rest of your life". Yes the reason I call it MA **** is because you will most likely be treated like a serf under the feudal system set up by lord dr. arrogant (a lot of the physicians I have worked with in private practices are on insane power trips). With that said, the pay is usually crap compared to doing research in industry or academic settings so do that if you can however the clinical hands on is cool. I say all this because I personally have worked as a medical assistant and surgical assistant at two different practices without having an MA degree. Granted, you should try and learn things here and there on your own or with a friends help so that you are not completely medically inept if you are granted an interview (know how to take B.P., pulse, etc.).
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2008
- Messages
- 40,264
- Reaction score
- 23,740
Not that the topic might not be relevant today... but just wanted to point out that you guys are talking to someone who posted almost 2 years ago.
