CMA vs RMA vs CMAS

Certified Medical Technician (CMA)

CMA Overview

A certified medical technician (CMA) is a healthcare professional who is skilled in administrative and clinical procedures. CMAs are commonly found in ambulatory care and healthcare delivery teams. The American Association of Medial Assistants (AAMA) offer the certification credentials required to become a professional CMA. It is important to become certified by the AAMA as it validates your spot in the job market, allows for a greater salary, and will enable you grow in the career field.

CMA Job Overview

Prior education to become a CMA includes at least a high school diploma or an equivalent. Recommended courses include mathematics, health, biology, typing, bookkeeping, computers, and office skills. Employers usually hire a CMA who has graduated from a medical assisting program, which can be offered in high schools, colleges, and universities. These programs included courses in anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, typing, transcription, record keeping, accounting, and insurance processing. In addition, a potential CMA will learn medical law, ethics, and patient relations while learning laboratory techniques, clinical and diagnostic procedures, pharmaceutical principles, medical administration, and first aid. It is also recommended to receive formal training, although some work settings allow for on the job training. Volunteering in the health care field will also make you a more competitive CMA.

CMA Job Outlook and Salary

The job outlook is currently high as the health care demands, like increases in the number practices and healthcare facilities, grow in the coming years. The annual income of a medical assistant ranges from $28,000-$30,000 depending on the location, experience, and skill level.

CMA Job Duties

Specific duties of a certified medical assistant range from administrative work like greeting patients, making appointments, and arranging laboratory services and hospital admissions to clinical work like recording patient histories, drawing blood, and aiding physicians. To be a good CMA requires excellent communication to help patients understand physician instructions.

CMA Eligibility Requirements

There are several listed eligibility requirements by the AAMA in regards to becoming CMA certified.

  • You must be a graduating student or a recent graduate of a medical assisting program. Such a program must be recognized by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Programs (ABHES)
  • Nonrecent graduates of a CAAHEP or ABHES accredited medical assisting Program. As of January 1, 2010, graduates must pass the test within 60 after graduation. If the candidate fails to do so, then he or she will not be eligible for CMA credentials.
  • CMAs looking to recertify their credentials. Certification must be renewed every five years.

Visit www.aama-ntl.org for more information about the eligibility requirements and expections of a CMA.

Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)

RMA Overview

A registered medical assistant (RMA) specializes in both administrative and clinical procedures. He or she, once certified, has the capability of working in an administrative setting, the examining room, and the physician office laboratory. The Medical Assistant also acts as an intermediary between the physician and the patient. Their duties should not be confused with a Physician Assistant, a person who is qualified to examine, treat, and diagnose patients. The RMA is to perform routine administrative and clinical tasks. Specific duties vary by practice size and state. The RMA is more specialized in larger practices and report to a department administrator or operations manager. In a smaller practice, the RMA has more of a “general” practice and reports to a physician, office manager, or health practitioner. Duties vary but the most typical tasks include insurance managing, financial bookkeeping, receptionist tasks, asepsis, sterilization, managing instruments, vital signs, physical examinations, clinical pharmacology, minor surgery, therapeutic modalities, laboratory procedures, electrocardiography, and first aid.

RMA Job Specifications

Prior education is required to practice as an RMA. It is preferred that the employee graduate from an accredited medical assisting program. These programs are usually offered in a post-secondary institution and last for one year (to receive a certificate or diploma) or two years (to receive an associate degree). Formal training is recommended as well as volunteer experience in a clinical setting. Without training, you must accumulate five years of experience for employment. Over 700 accredited institutions exist under the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the Accreditation Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). There is no formal license as an RMA; however, some states require tests to perform duties outside of the scope of practice such as performing x-rays. After experience as an RMA, you may become eligible to teach Medical Assisting programs, to become an office manager, or to return to school to become a registered nurse, or other health related occupations.

RMA Job Outlook and Salary

The job outlook for an RMA is excellent. Employment as an RMA is expected to increase significantly within the next ten years. The yearly salary of an RMA varies by location, experience, and skill although the income ranges between $20,000 and $30,000.

RMA Eligibility Requirements

There are several requirements instituted by AMT, which must be met to become RMA certified. The examinee be a recent graduate of, or scheduled to graduate from:

  • A medical assistant program that holds programmatic accreditation by (or is in a post-secondary school or college that holds institutional accreditation by) the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) or the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
  • A medical assistant program in a post-secondary school or college that has institutional accreditation by a Regional Accrediting Commission or by a national accrediting organization approved by the U.S. Department of Education, which program includes a minimum of 720 clock-hours (or equivalent) of training in medical assisting skills (including a clinical externship of no less than 160 hours in duration)
  • A formal medical services training program of the United States Armed Forces.

  • Applicant shall have been employed in the profession of medical assisting for a minimum of five (5) years, no more than two (2) years of which may have been as an instructor in the post-secondary medical assistant program (proof of current work experience and high school education or equivalent are required). Employment dates must be within the last five (5) years.
  • Applicant has passed a generalist medical assistant certification examination offered by another medical assisting certification agency (provided that exam has been approved for this purpose by the AMT Board of Directors) and who have been working in the medical assisting field for the past three out of five years and who has met all other AMT training and experience requirements (no further examination required).

For options 1)-3), proof of work experience is necessary if graduated beyond four years ago.

Certified Medical Administrative Specialist (CMAS)

CMAS Overview

A certified medical administrative specialist (CMAS) is a person in the healthcare field who specializes in more administrative responsibilities. Certification is mandated by the American Medical Technologists (AMT). A CMAS is mainly found in a medical office, clinic, or hospital setting. A CMAS must be able to coordinate administrative tasks within the clinical setting. This person must be skilled in medical records management, insurance processing, coding and billing, management of practice finances, information processing, and fundamental office management tasks. Additional tasks performed by a Medical Administration Specialist include learning medical terminology, bookkeeping, set appointments, transcribe medical diction, fill out and submit insurance medical forms, and type case histories.

CMAS Job Specification

Prior education is required to become a CMAS. The specialist must have a high school diploma or G.E.D. with acceptable training. There are several post-secondary institutions offering programs for certification as a Medical Administrative Assistant, Medical Office Assistant, or Medical Secretary. Graduates of these programs must receive a certificate or diploma of some type. Certification and licensing is necessary to be a more competitive candidate in the field. The duties performed can vary by state.

CMAS Job Outlook and Salary

The job outlook as a CMAS is great. The demand for help in various health care facilities is necessary. The average salary of a CMAS ranges between $28,000 and $30,000. Salary can vary based on location, experience, and skill.

CMAS Eligibility Requirements

The CMAS exam is required in order to receive certification. The exam is offered throughout the year either by computer or a test booklet depending on the location. You must meet the following requirements to be eligible for CMAS certification.

  • A graduating student or a recent graduate of a medical office administrative program that holds programmatic accreditation or is part of a postsecondary school or college that holds accreditation by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Programs (ABHES).
  • A graduating student or recent graduate of a medical office administrative program in a postsecondary school or college holding institutional accreditation by a regional accrediting commission or a national accrediting organization approved by the U.S. Department of Education; the program must include a minimum of office administration skills (including a practical externship). The training must include at least 1) medical records management, 2) health care insurance processing, billing, and coding, 3) office financial responsibilities, and 4) Information processing.
  • A Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) (or equivalent) who has a minimum of 2 years of experience working as a medical office administrative specialist
  • Medical office administrative specialists employed in the profession for a minimum of 5 years.

For more detailed explanations about CMAS requirements and duties, please visit www.amt1.com