Medical assistants play a vital role in doctors’ offices, hospitals, and other healthcare settings, providing both administrative and clinical support. As demand for medical services increases, so does the need for qualified medical assistants who can deliver patient care and manage essential tasks.
Completing a training program to earn your medical assistant certification in South Carolina can prepare you for an exciting new career path.
What Is Medical Assistant Certification?
Medical assistant certification is a professional credential that validates your skills and knowledge in key areas related to this career. While South Carolina does not require medical assistants to be certified, many employers prefer to hire those who are. Earning certification demonstrates your expertise and commitment to the field, which can make you a more appealing candidate in the application process.
To become certified, you must pass an exam that covers clinical and administrative job responsibilities.
In South Carolina, certified medical assistants can take on additional clinical tasks, including taking vital signs and administering medications.
Benefits of Becoming a Certified Medical Assistant
Becoming a certified medical assistant can increase a medical assistant’s employment prospects. In 2024, 78% of employers required certification for medical assistants, according to the 2024 Industry Outlook report from the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). Furthermore, 83% stated that they would hire a certified medical assistant over a candidate without certification.
Types of Medical Assistant Certification
Medical assistants pursue certification from several organizations. When researching certification, candidates should decide which option best fits their qualifications and goals. Some medical assistant programs may also prepare graduates for a particular certification.
Common types of medical assistant certification in South Carolina include the following:
Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) from the National Healthcareer Association
Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) from the American Medical Technologists
Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) from the American Association of Medical Assistants
Medical Assistant Certification (MAC) or Clinical Medical Assistant Certification (CMAC) from the American Medical Certification Association
National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) from the National Center for Competency Testing
Each type of certification has its own set of requirements. Candidates also typically need to pass an exam and meet continuing education requirements to maintain their credential.
What Are the Requirements to Obtain Medical Assistant Certification in South Carolina?
Pursuing medical assistant certification in South Carolina can prepare you for new career opportunities. Here are the typical steps toward becoming a certified medical assistant in the state.
Attend a Medical Assistant Program
Coursework in a medical assistant program introduces students to areas including health insurance and billing practices, office administration, and patient care. Through clinical training, students explore injections, phlebotomy, and lab screenings. Medical assisting programs also cover healthcare regulations and ethics.
Common medical assistant courses include the following:
Medical terminology
Human anatomy and physiology
Clinical procedures and techniques
Laboratory procedures and techniques
Medical office procedures
Gain Medical Assisting Experience
Medical assisting experience prepares candidates for certification. Medical assistants who graduate from accredited programs gain clinical experience during their programs, preparing them for the certification exam. Other medical assistants work in the field before sitting for their exam.
Experience in a healthcare setting prepares medical assistants to accurately record patient histories, measure vital signs, assist physicians during exams, and administer injections and medications.
Apply for a Medical Assistant Certification
Candidates for medical assistant certification in South Carolina typically submit an application, study for their certification exam, and take the exam. Test-taking procedures vary; some schools administer the CCMA exam, for example. After passing the exam, medical assistants can use their credentials to qualify for jobs.
Eligibility requirements vary depending on the type of certification. Candidates should carefully review these requirements or work with their medical assisting programs to choose a certification.
Job Outlook for Medical Assistants in South Carolina
Both an aging population and a growing need for medical services contribute to demand for medical assistants.
South Carolina reports a high need for medical assistants, with faster-than-average job growth projected. Nationally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects medical assistant jobs will grow by 15% between 2023 and 2033, significantly faster than the 4% average projected for all occupations.
In South Carolina, employment of medical assistants is projected to grow even faster, with a 23.9% increase between 2022 and 2032, according to Projections Central. That works out to 1,810 job openings in the state each year during that period. Based on NHA data, more than 75% of those openings will require certification.
Prepare for Medical Assistant Certification in South Carolina at Fortis
Launch your career as a certified medical assistant in the Medical Assisting program at Fortis College in Columbia, South Carolina. Medical assisting students gain clinical and administrative skills in this flexible hybrid program.
Through online medical administrative classes and in-person clinical training, the program prepares students to take NHA’s certified clinical medical assistant exam in their final quarter. Graduates also benefit from career services support to seek employment opportunities at South Carolina’s hospitals, doctor’s offices, medical facilities, and other healthcare settings. Contact Fortis to learn more about the medical assisting program.
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