Should I Obtain a Medical Assistant Certification?

[RoxaSora]

I am an undergraduate non-traditional senior (B.A. in Computer Science). My overall GPA is 3.85, science GPA is 4.0 as I’m taking my prerequisites, I have 17 hours of clinical volunteering, and I was just hired as a medical scribe (job title is “Medical Assistant”) for a psychiatry/neurology private clinic. I have no current research experience but I am actively applying for the future. I have worked as a biology/chemistry/A&P tutor at a community college before becoming a scribe.

My question is: Would it be worth it to get MA certification through a program? I am currently weighing my options of doing it at a local CC or through an accredited online program. What I hope is that my current clinical experience as a scribe will help me get hired at a place where I can do direct patient care (such as basic procedures at a dermatology practice), and that this certification will help me more with my chances. I know some jobs offer onsite training, but I always like to be sure of my chances.

BTW, I am planning on taking my MCAT in 2022/2023, and hope to matriculate in those respective years.

I appreciate any advice.

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[TragicalDrFaust]

A could things to consider:
- I worked as an MA without spending time or money on a certificate. I got "poached" at my job at Starbucks by a local doc. Your chances of getting hired are probably better if you have the cert though.
- Working as an MA will not "look" a whole lot better than scribing. They're both basic clinical hours.
- You will likely get paid more as an MA than as a scribe if it's something you're looking to do FT to support yourself.

I'm leaning towards no, it's not worth it to get the certificate but it depends on your circumstances.