Let’s look at the differences and similarities between a registered medical assistant and a certified medical assistant.

Pursuing a career in healthcare begins by considering all the options available to you. Sometimes, these career options may sound similar, but a closer look or comparison will prove otherwise.

We will be looking at this field; medical assistant – registered vs. certified?

Registered Medical Assistant vs. Certified Medical Assistant

Registered and certified medical assistants are good examples of similar-sounding medical fields, each having its unique focus.

The goal is to help you know the similarities and differences between these two medical careers. Without a doubt, both of these fields involve the provision of assistive services.

However, there are areas where one differs from the other, as you’ll soon learn.

So, if you’re confused about what career to go for, you’ll want to read along to know what each entails to make an informed decision.

What is the difference between an RMA and a CMA?

Let’s proceed to the details.

Who’s a Registered Medical Assistant?

Registered medical assistants, also known as RMAs, assist nurses, doctors, and other medical professionals. They handle a mix of tasks consisting of administrative and clinical.

To become a registered medical assistant, one must pass the American Medical Technologists Association (AMT) certification exam.

Several tasks are handled by registered medical assistants, including scheduling appointments, readying lab samples, and recording patients’ health histories. More on these roles will be covered shortly.

Who’s a Certified Medical Assistant

A certified medical assistant is a healthcare professional who has received and met the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) certification requirements.

This credential (certified medical assistant) is only offered to persons who have passed the AAMA exam.

While certified medical assistants primarily work in clinical settings, you’ll also find them in alternative environments like retirement homes, dermatology offices, and psychiatric & behavioral health facilities, amongst others.

Certified medical assistants work with patient’s personal information and health information regularly.

CMA Vs RMA Medical Assistants

With the introduction out of the way, it’s time to take a closer look at these medical careers to identify their similarities or differences.

  • CMA RMA Comparison

To do a good job, we’ll need to look at critical areas like the work setting or environment and the duties or roles of each.

Also, other details to consider include training and certification, skills required, salary, duration of the training, and growth potentials.

Each of these aspects or areas provides a clear understanding of the similarities and differences between registered and certified medical assistants.

i. Work Setting or Environment

This is where many similarities are seen between registered and certified medical assistants.

As healthcare professionals, they work in similar settings that include chiropractic offices, dermatology offices, retirement homes, psychiatric & behavioral health facilities, and medical research centers.

Registered and certified medical assistants also work in ophthalmology offices, bariatric centers, diagnostic labs, medical billing & coding offices, colleges & universities.

These professionals’ assistive roles mean their services will be needed in all kinds of healthcare establishments. Their collaborative efforts with other medical professionals help with optimal healthcare delivery.

ii. Duties or Roles

A clear distinction in roles is seen when comparing registered medical assistants to certified medical assistants.

In the case of the former (RMAs), responsibilities include organizing and managing patient files, scheduling medical appointments for patients, and updating patients’ electronic health records.

Registered medical assistants also handle patient insurance coverage verification and submit insurance claims. They acquire and record patient health information and help direct patients to exam rooms.

What more? Registered medical assistants assist medical professionals with conducting minor exams and procedures, recording patient vitals, and obtaining and preparing samples for diagnosis.

Certified medical assistants handle administrative and clinical duties.

Such responsibilities include changing dressings, preparing patients for tests and procedures, collecting specimens, and going over treatment plans with patients as recommended by a physician.

Certified medical assistants also perform medical coding for billing purposes, schedule and answer calls, record patients’ medical information, and prepare examination rooms for upcoming appointments.

iii. Training & Certification

Training is an essential part of becoming a registered medical assistant and certified medical assistant. First off, you must attend and graduate from a medical assistant school.

Such programs must be accredited by relevant agencies like the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) or the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

Attending your preferred medical assistant school makes you eligible to sit for a credentialing exam (RMA or CMA). These exams are sat for at specific times of the year.

With this knowledge, you’ll need to choose a time that’s more suitable for you.

On-the-job experience is another crucial part of the training you must acquire. This gives you a clear idea of what’s involved daily.

Also important is the fact that you get hands-on training and knowledge that adequately prepares you for the task.

iv. Skills Required

Both registered medical assistants and certified medical assistants require the same set of skills to function effectively in their roles.

These skills include empathy, organization, administration, communication, and attention to detail. Medical knowledge is also essential for both careers.

v. Salary

Regarding MA salaries, registered and certified medical assistants receive slightly different amounts.

An RMA makes around $26,000 per year, while a CMA having similar qualifications and background receives a slightly higher salary of $29,943 per year.

vi. Duration of Training

The duration of training interests a lot of aspiring professionals as they seek to have an idea of how long it will take to start practicing. For both RMA and CMA, training takes anywhere from 9 months to about a year.

This is the time spent earning a diploma or certificate.

However, if you wish to acquire an associate’s degree, this will take around two years to complete. Here, it’s evident that your choice will determine how long you last in training.

vii. Growth Potentials

The growth potential for either career is never in doubt as there continues to be growing demands for their services.

You could boost your employability by taking advantage of opportunities, including ongoing training.

Now that you know the similarities and differences between registered and certified medical assistants choosing a career that aligns with your passion won’t be difficult.