How to become a medical assistant?

Medical assistants act as a mediator between the patients and the hospitals thus the whole healthcare system depends on the medical training of the medical assistants .The certified training distribute a lot of key knowledge and expertise which caters to the specific needs of the healthcare industry and thus the need increases to formulate administration in the medical industry in order to upskill the talent as well. These medical assistants are indispensable resources to the evergrowing healthcare industry.

Q. What kind of certifications does SCMA provide and how is it helpful for the health care professionals?

SCMA currently offers Specialty certifications in 13 different specialties to medical assistants. The SCMA exam tests you on administrative as well as on general and specific clinical skills required for your specialty. SCMA professionals are qualified for regular medical assistant positions as well as for medical assistant positions in specialties from cardiology to women's health.

For becoming Specialty Certified Medical Assistant you must pass an online exam with a score of 70% or higher. You can prepare for the SCMA exam by attending a suitable training program or by preparing for the exam on your own if you have prior clinical experience as a medical assistant in your chosen specialty. Also, any student can take up the course after completing 12th standard in medical stream respectively.

The importance for the health care professionals as training medical professionals other than doctors,create a workforce which can help in the execution of the healthcare services to a broader set of audience with management from the doctor and nursing staff. Sample collection, early diagnostics, basic health check-ups, elaborative patient management, medicine administration are all aspects that the healthcare industry needs trained professionals to act on and since SCMA provides the specific trainings in 13 specialities, it will be helpful for training the medical assistants in a specific domain.

Q. What is the present scenario of health care industry?

Around 75 per cent of the rural population struggles with the insufficient infrastructural facilities and low technological awareness. Therefore, telemedicine has non-segregated itself into Indian society for the betterment of the people. This provides a way of delivering clinical health care to patients who are located at a distance. There has been a tremendous increase in demand for telemedicine for health care services, both nationally and globally. Their supply in the whole healthcare system is crucial for taking care of the patients. In India, though the healthcare sector is seeing a giant leap in providing services to the consumers in rural areas still it is not able to mark its reach into rural areas.

There are about 125 million elderly people in India and it is expected that the number will increase to 173 million by 2026. Therefore, India is at a critical stage to train and deploy talent in the medical support services. So, to ensure the stability in the medical sector, thisindustry requiresexcellent quality professionals for a better management of professionalism and the patients. In orderto have a balance in the medical sector it is critical to have highly skilled professionals for the present needs and the coming future.

Q. What should one pursue to become a Medical Assistant?

To pursue a career as a medical assistant, any graduate in any stream or any non-medical background can pursue this certification as it is not necessary to have prior experience in medical stream. The admission process starts with the registration and document verification alongwith the psychometric test in order to evaluate the various matrices for deciding the acumen,aptitude and interest of any student. Students thus can go for a certification course or any associate degree. They can get admission into the certification by giving an exam of CMA {certified medical assistant}.

Q. Why should one choose this profession?

The route to healthcare transformation has been accelerated with technologically infused changes and people skills need constant updates. In the developed countries, the quality of healthcare is mapped across the talent scape including doctors, specialists, nursing staff, medical assistants and hospital administration. In India, almost 90 per cent of the patients need care and intervention at the secondary level where medical assistants come in play. With growing population, the need for medical care is also on the rise which automatically leads to growing demand for professionally trained workers that have relevant training and experience, and who can adapt.

BY Vaishnavi Girish