Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)

A Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) accreditation from the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) is considered the highest credential in the medical assistant profession. Those who achieve a CMA designation have greater job security, obtain higher salaries, have more prestige, and have a professional edge over their colleagues who do not have the CMA credential.

Completion of a medical assistant program that is accredited by either the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) is necessary in order to be eligible to take the CMA examination.

A conviction or guilty plea to any felony, will bar anyone from taking the Certified Medical Assistant examination, even someone who has taken an accredited medical assistant training program. However, this is dealt with on a case-by-case basis; therefore, be honest about any legal issues when filling out the examination application.

A summarized content outline of the Certified Medical Assistant examination material is presented below for reference and to aid in test preparation:

General knowledge

• Medical terminology (build words, definitions, and uses of terminology)
• Anatomy and physiology (cover the body as a whole, including the interrelationships between a body’s structure and function systems, and their related conditions and diseases)
• Psychology (basic principles, developmental stages of the life cycle, and defense mechanisms)
• Professionalism (display a professional attitude, show job readiness and job search efforts, and participate in teamwork to achieve goals)
• Communication (adapt communication techniques to accommodate patients’ needs, recognize and respond to verbal and nonverbal communication, professional communication and behavior; know patient interview techniques, receive, organize, prioritize and transmit information, telephone techniques, and fundamental writing skills)
• Medical and legal guidelines and requirements (licenses, legislation, documentation and reports, the release of medical information, the physician/patient relationship, confidentiality, and performance within ethical boundaries)

Administrative knowledge

• Data entry (keyboard fundamentals, functions, formats, and proofreading)
  
• Equipment (equipment operation, maintenance and repairs, and protection and safety)
  
• Computer concepts (computer components, computer applications, and Internet services)
  
• Records management (the needs, purposes, and terminology of filing systems, filing guidelines, and paper and electronic medical records)
  
• Screen and process mail (The United States Postal Service, postal machines and meters, process incoming mail, and prepare outgoing mail)
  
• Schedule and monitor appointments (utilize appointment schedules and types, appointment protocol, and appointment guidelines)
  
• Resource information and community services (patient advocate)
• Maintain the office environment (physical environment, equipment and supply inventory, liability coverage, and time management)
  
• Office policies and procedures (patient information booklet, personnel manual, and policy and procedures manuals and protocols)
  
• Practice finances (bookkeeping principles, coding systems, third-party billing, accounting and banking procedures, and employee payroll)

Clinical knowledge

• Principles of infection control (principles of asepsis, aseptic technique, disposal of biohazardous material, and standard precautions)
  
• Treatment area (principles of equipment operation, restock supplies, prepare and maintain treatment areas, and safety precautions)
  
• Patient preparation and assisting the physician (vital signs, examinations, procedures, and patient education)
  
• Patient history interview (components of patient history and documentation guidelines)
  
• Collect and process specimens, and diagnostics (methods of collection, process specimens, quality control, perform selected tests, electrocardiography, vision and hearing testing, respiratory testing, and medical imaging)
  
• Prepare and administer medications (pharmacology, prepare and administer oral and parenteral medications, prescriptions, and immunizations)
  
• Emergencies (preplanned action, assessment and triage, and emergency preparedness.
  First aid: Identify and respond to various types of injuries with the appropriate care.
  Nutrition: Basic principles and special needs)