Has anyone been trained to be a medical assistant without formal education like associate degree or certification

[PAdream21]

Hi there, 

I want to work as a medical assistant but I don't want to go to school for 2 years. Has anyone been trained by employer and worked for them without the need to go to school. In Arizona stat there is certification are not mandatory but I am not sure about education part.

I want to be a Physician assistant and want to work as a medical assistant job. Please share some ideas

 

Thank you to all of you

[VarsityMed]

Yes, I was originally trained on the job and got certified later (CCMA) by taking an exam after having worked a certain number of hours.

Requirements for certification will vary by practice (and possibly by state but that's something you could Google a bit more). Large hospitals and practice groups are more likely to require certification; smaller private practices may be more willing to train on the job. Your best bet is to start looking for jobs and see what the requirements are. Dermatology offices are pretty well known for training on the job.

If you want to/need to get certified there are several certifying bodies and a range of programs (a 2 year associate's degree is not necessary). An internet search should pull up various courses and offerings in your area. Some can be as short as 6 weeks. There's very little about being an MA that can't be taught on the job.

[justanotherprePA22]

I currently work as an uncertified MA at an orthopedic clinic in Texas. Like Arizona, MAs are not required to have certification, although it certainly helps to get you hired if you don't have immediate connections.

I landed my current position through networking; I knew another pre-PA student who was accepted to PA school and was looking for someone to fill her spot in the clinic which I was happy to do. My university has a pre-PA Facebook group, and they are constantly posting job opportunities for pre-health students with minimal training. Prior to working as an MA, I had previously worked as a tech in a rehab hospital setting. For my employer, having clinical practice and experience working with patients substituted certification. I also agree with @PApivot, just about everything I needed to know to successfully function as a MA was covered with on-site training at the clinic. 

Good luck! I hope you are able to find a great MA position!

 

[Rionat]

Small clinics ran by a single MD/DO are your greatest bet. They are very willing to hire and train on the job and usually require zero experience. Your local newspaper jobs listing probably will do it. 

[alysd]

This is quite common, especially at private clinics. I'm uncertified and am on my 3rd job as an MA. Just get your BLS CPR, try to find medical volunteer work to put on your resume if possible (some experience is better than none!), and compose a good resume. Indeed, Glassdoor, LinkedIn, and Craiglist are good places to hunt. Also, word of mouth - don't be afraid to ask around.