One positive thing that came out of the COVID-19 lockdown was the realization that most of jobs can be done remotely, and Medical assistant roles were one of them.
Now, since this role doesn’t have a lot of prerequisites and some states don’t mandate any certifications, many people have the question, “Do I really need a medical virtual assistant certification?”
The short is yes, and here’s why.
Reason 1: Employers Prefer Certified MAs
While states do not mandate MAs to be certified, employers are more than likely to hire the one who is certified.
In fact, 96% of employers require or encourage medical assistants, even virtual ones, to hold certifications. So, to boost your chances of employability, getting licensed is highly recommended.
Reason 2: It Endorses Your Skills
The reason why employers require and encourage certification is that it endorses your knowledge and skills.
Also, to sit for the AAMA’s national certification exam, candidates must have graduated from an accredited training program. This saves a lot of time for employers, as they just know that you are trained and tested on the required skills.
Reason 3: Better Pay
According to the 2024 CMA (AAMA) Compensation and Benefits Report, certified med assistants earned $2/hour more than the national average. While it may not sound like a lot, over a period of a year, this translates to a difference of $3,050.
Reason 4: Advancement Opportunities
A majority of virtual medical assistants advance into specialized and leadership roles, like:
- Medical Billing and Coding Specialist
- Health Information Management (HIM) Specialist
- Telehealth Coordinator
- Patient Navigator/Advocate
- VMA Supervisor/Team Lead
While experience certainly helps in advancing to these roles, each role requires credentials, and having a MA certification is one of them.
Reason 5: It Validates Your Judgment
Since medical virtual assistants work alongside physicians during their virtual appointments with patients, documenting and helping patients with complex conditions requires a greater understanding of anatomy and pharmacology.
Since training is required for the certification, it ensures that you possess the skills to perform the mentioned tasks accurately, or at the very least, validate your judgment for the process.
Reason 6: Access to CEU Resources
MA certification is not a one-time thing, and CMAs are required to recertify every 60 months, which requires 60 CEUs.
Some employers sponsor CEUs to support their medical staff, but as you can expect, they only sponsor certified staff.
Reason 7: More Respect
While you will not be surrounded by physicians and nurses due to remote work, you will be required to interact with them frequently.
And if you’re unfamiliar with the work environment, medical settings (even virtually) can be very unforgiving.
Having a credential not only endorses your skills and knowledge but also demonstrates your commitment to professional development, earning you the respect of senior medical staff.
How to Get Certified as a Virtual Medical Assistant
Now that we have established that getting licensed is great for your career, here’s how to get certified:
Complete the Required Education: While a high school or equivalent GED is a minimum requirement, you also need to enroll in a vocational school, community college, or online training institution to complete an accredited training program.
Gain Practical Experience: After completing your education/training, it is highly recommended that you gain hands-on experience. A majority of training programs offer externships.
Choose the Right Certification Program: While the certification from the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) is nationally recognized, you can also seek credentials from other certifying bodies, like:
- Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)
- Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS)
- Registered Medical Virtual Assistant (RMVA)
Prepare and Pass the Certification Exam: To prepare for certification exams, you should focus on strengthening your fundamentals, i.e., understanding of anatomy, medical terminology, EHRs, and HIPAA guidelines. Also, make sure you attempt mock exams and review them thoroughly.
How Hard is it to Become a Medical Virtual Assistant?
While becoming a virtual medical assistant is not as hard as becoming a doctor, it does require some effort and training.
This path requires focused preparation, especially in subjects such as anatomy, medical law, clinical procedures, and administration.
Additionally, for virtual MAs, strong verbal and written communication abilities, accuracy in documentation, and familiarity with tech are a must.
Final Words
So, to answer the question, “Is a Certificate Necessary for Virtual Medical Assistant Roles?” It absolutely is.
Not only does getting licensed unlock doors for new opportunities and career advancements, it also makes you more employable.