Certification is fast becoming the standard for medical assistants (MAs) in the northwest. Traditionally, these roles did not require formal certification. Instead, MAs worked under physicians who trained them to perform specific tasks like taking patient histories or performing certain medical tests. That began to change when Congress passed the Affordable Care Act in 2010. 

One of the bill's components required healthcare providers to move away from using paper charts and instead make "meaningful use" of electronic health record (EHR) technology. When the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services formally defined meaningful use, it included language specifying that only EHR entries by "certified medical assistants" and "licensed healthcare professionals" would count towards those standards. As a result, certified MAs suddenly became much more valuable employees than their non-certified counterparts.

The Medical Assistant Certification Process

Today, most MA program graduates go on to take a certification exam for one of the three primary certifying organizations: the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), the American Medical Technologists (AMT), or the National Centers for Competency Testing (NCCT). Each of these organizations bestows a different certification, and each certification exam has a slightly different focus.  

Preparing for certification or licensing exams is always an incredibly stressful process because so much rides on the outcomes of these tests. When candidates prepare for these exams on their own, they're often studying in the dark, wondering how effective their methods really are. The testing process is so difficult that the majority of MA program graduates are unable to complete their certification. This high attrition rate exacerbates the existing medical assistant shortage and leaves outpatient clinics chronically short-staffed.

MyTeam Medical Staffing Services is working to improve the MA test preparation process so that candidates can walk into their exam on test day fully prepared to succeed and emerge as certified healthcare professionals with a promising career ahead of them.  

Introducing Our MA Certification Test Prep Classes  

We're pleased to announce our new MA certification test prep classes, led by Paula Purdy, CMA (AAMA), MyTeam Medical Staffing Services’ director of clinical services, and her team of MA educators and policy experts. Perhaps no one is more qualified to usher candidates through the MA certification testing process than Paula. She's a certified MA, the past national president of the AAMA, and current president of the Oregon Society of Medical Assistants, making her the region's go-to expert on MA scope of practice questions. 

The course will focus on the AAMA certification exam. However, Paula's test prep methods will set candidates up for success regardless of the certification exam they plan on taking. Each class participant receives:

• Four two-hour classes, led by a certified MA instructor. 
• A comprehensive study manual — over 100 pages long! 
• One-on-one study support and guidance on the certification process.

This course is ideal for anyone who attended MA school but doesn't feel prepared to sit for a certification exam and clinic managers with staff who'd benefit from ongoing MA education and formal certification.

Classes Are Forming Now

Paula and her team will hold in-person and virtual classes beginning in early 2022. The first round of in-person sessions will start on Fridays from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at our headquarters at 931 SW King Ave., Portland, OR 97205 on the following dates: 

• January 28, February 4, February 11, and February 18.

Online classes happen on Saturdays from 8:30-10:30 am on these dates:

• January 29, February 5, February 12, and February 19

Attendees who agree to work with MyTeam Medical Staffing Services for their next MA position or clinics who are recent or future customers can sign up today for only $125 per person. MAs who work with MyTeam on a new assignment within six months of completing their certification course will have their class fees fully refunded.

Don’t Wait to Enroll

MyTeam Medical Staffing Services is here to help new program graduates who are beginning their test prep process and working MAs looking to advance their careers through certification. But don't wait too long to sign up! We've limited class sizes to ensure each attendee gets the attention they need to succeed. Click here to enroll or give us a call at 503.922.1393 if you have any questions about how we can help you take the next step in your healthcare journey.