Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)

  • 6 Months
  • 160 Course Hours
  • $2,045

Overview

Start Your Career in the Healthcare Industry as a Medical Administrative Assistant

Administrative medical assistants are skilled multi-taskers who direct the flow of patients through an office.  Effective patient flow allows the practice to operate efficiently, increase revenue, and provide a positive experience for the patient.  Their duties can include scheduling appointments, entering demographic and insurance information into practice software, managing patient check-in and check-out, answering phone calls, filing and retrieving paper records, maintaining electronic records, composing correspondence, performing daily financial practices, assigning medical codes and processing insurance claims.

Upon completion of this program you will be prepared for the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) national certification exam offered by National Healthcareer Association (NHA).   The registration fee for this exam is included with this program.

What you will learn

  • Learn what is required to succeed as a Medical Administrative Assistant
  • Master multitasking as it relates to scheduling appointments, processing insurance requests, maintaining records and corresponding with patients
  • Learn best financial practices for a medical center
  • Master the fundamentals of medical terminology and ethical best practices
  • Understand the basics of working with medical documents, medical billing, and coding processes

How you will benefit

  • Jump-start your career in the medical field
  • Learn how to effectively communicate with prospective patients and fellow professionals in the medical industry
  • Understand how to create positive, efficient experiences for patients to make them more comfortable

How this course is taught

  • This is a non-credit program offered in partnership with ed2go.  You do not have to be admitted to the university to enroll in this program. 
  • This is an open enrollment program, which means you can enroll and start at any time.  There are no set start and end dates. 
  • This course is entirely online and can be completed at a pace and time that is convenient for you.  There are not set times you must attend classes.  
  • You will have 6-months from the date of enrollment to complete this program.  

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites to take this course. However, in order to sit for national certification exams, candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent; therefore, it is recommended you have this before enrolling for this course.


Requirements

Hardware Requirements:

  • This course can be taken on either a PC or Mac.

Software Requirements:

  • PC: Windows XP or later.
  • Mac: OS X Snow Leopard 10.6 or later.
  • Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
  • Microsoft Word (not included in enrollment).
  • Windows Media Player or a similar program.
  • Adobe Flash Player. Click here to download the Flash Player.
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader. Click here to download the Acrobat Reader.
  • Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

  • Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment. The following textbooks will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment:  Administrative Medical Assisting


 

Curriculum

Introduction to Becoming an Administrative Medical Assistant
Understand the tasks typically assigned to an administrative medical assistant, opportunities for employment within the field, effective types of communication, stress management best practices, and patient interview techniques.
 
Law, Ethics, and Healthcare
Master an understanding of ethical guidelines for healthcare providers. Learn about a diverse range of health insurance coverage options and how eligibility effects different people.
 
Medical Offices Best Practices and Technology
Discuss the practicalities of opening and closing a medical facility and the responsibilities that come with the role. Understand various safety issues that a medical assistant may face. Cover the role of computers and telecommunications and how they relate to patient care and scheduling.
 
Introduction to Medical Terminology
Develop the fundamental knowledge of how to communicate using medical terminology, and how to use this vocabulary when it comes to managing medical records.
 
Medical Communication On and Off-Line
Cover and review the correct composition of a business letter, meeting agenda, business email, medical document, and medical billing file.
 
Financial Practices and Administrative Tasks
Learn the ins and outs of daily financial practices within a medical setting. Master dealing with insurance claims and payments in tandem with understanding job duties and office managerial tasks.

 

Instructor

Nancy Smith

Nancy Smith has over 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry. Her clinical experience includes working as a medical assistant for a network of rural health clinics, and as a medical coder, insurance claims specialist, and medical records auditor. She worked as a medical office manager for ten years, where she recruited and trained all medical assistants. Nancy holds a bachelor's degree in vocational education and has developed and taught medical assistant programs.

LaTisha Cottingham

LaTisha Cottingham has over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry. She has six years of teaching experience in the field of medical billing and coding and Medical Assisting. Currently she is employed as an HIM Analyst for a Long-Term Care establishment that is based out of Alabama. Previously she was employed as the lead instructor for the Allied Health Department for a local career institute. LaTisha's field of expertise is in the area of physician-based inpatient coding and Emergency Department coding. The certifications that she holds are as follows: a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT), a Certified Professional Coder (CPC), and a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA). In preparation for ICD-10-CM, LaTisha received her ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer Certification from American Health Information Association (AHIMA), where she is currently a member. LaTisha is also a member of the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) and the National Healthcare Association (NHA) where she is a test proctor.


 

FAQs

WHAT IS A CERTIFIED MEDICAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT? 
A Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) is a certification earned by those who have proven their expertise in efficiently and effectively running healthcare offices. This nationally recognized designation is something that many employers are searching for in one of the fastest-growing careers today. Upon earning this certification, you'll be able to confidently handle correspondence, answer calls, schedule appointments, operate computer systems, maintain files, update and maintain patient information, and create operation reports for any medical practice, essential duties for any administrative medical assistant.
 
WHAT IS THE DEMAND FOR ADMINISTRATIVE MEDICAL ASSISTANTS? 
The demand for Administrative Medical Assistants is high, and it is expected to grow 23 percent over the next several years according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This job growth will result mainly from an increasing elderly population as well as advances in healthcare and medical office technology.
 
WHAT DOES AN ADMINISTRATIVE MEDICAL ASSISTANT DO?  
An Administrative Medical Assistant manages all the front desk activities for a hospital, doctor's office, or other medical facility. This is an integral role in healthcare as it allows doctors and other medical staff to focus on caring for patients. In this role, you will need to have excellent customer service skills as you are often the first person that patients connect with at a medical facility. You will need to be able to multitask, deal with stress well, use computer systems, handle money, and communicate clearly and concisely. You'll master all of these things and more!
 
WHAT PERSONALITY TRAITS ARE HELPFUL FOR MEDICAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS? 
As a medical admin, you will interact with patients every day. In fact, you'll often be the first person to greet patients as they enter the medical facility. You'll need the ability to stay calm under pressure, as well as have a friendly demeanor. You'll need to multi-task as this is a position that requires you to juggle a lot of moving parts (answering phones, talking with patients, charting, computer systems, interacting with other office staff including doctors, etc.) You should have the ability to take initiative and be a self-starter. The most successful medical administrative assistants are also organized, dependable, and understand the importance of confidentiality.
 
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ADMINISTRATIVE MEDICAL ASSISTANT AND A MEDICAL ASSISTANT?  
The difference between an Administrative Medical Assistant and a Medical Assistant is that while both positions can and do perform clerical tasks, a Medical Assistant also has the ability to perform some clinical tasks such as helping with examinations, giving injections, and preparing specimens for lab tests.
 
HOW MUCH DOES AN ADMINISTRATIVE MEDICAL ASSISTANT MAKE?  
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Administrative Medical Assistants earn a median salary of $36,000. 
 
WHERE WILL I WORK AS A MEDICAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT?  
Medical administrative assistants are found in nearly every medical office in the country. By earning your CMAA, you'll be prepared to work for clinics, private physician offices, hospitals, surgery centers, dentists, optometrists, chiropractors, and more. Professional medical offices need CMAAs to help keep their offices running smoothly as they treat patients.
 
DO I HAVE TO BE ADDMITTED TO MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY TO ENROLL IN THIS PROGRAM?
No, you do not have to be an admitted student to Mississippi State University to enroll in this program.  Our online non-credit advanced career training programs are open to all. 
 
WHEN CAN I START THE COURSE?
This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course as soon as you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.
 
AM I GUARANTEED A JOB?
This course will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering.
 
CAN I GET FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE?
This course is non-credit, so it does not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA and Pell Grant. Financing is available through other private, military, and government funding options.  Learn more about financial assistance.  

Overview

Start Your Career in the Healthcare Industry as a Medical Administrative Assistant

Administrative medical assistants are skilled multi-taskers who direct the flow of patients through an office.  Effective patient flow allows the practice to operate efficiently, increase revenue, and provide a positive experience for the patient.  Their duties can include scheduling appointments, entering demographic and insurance information into practice software, managing patient check-in and check-out, answering phone calls, filing and retrieving paper records, maintaining electronic records, composing correspondence, performing daily financial practices, assigning medical codes and processing insurance claims.

Upon completion of this program you will be prepared for the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) national certification exam offered by National Healthcareer Association (NHA).   The registration fee for this exam is included with this program.

What you will learn

  • Learn what is required to succeed as a Medical Administrative Assistant
  • Master multitasking as it relates to scheduling appointments, processing insurance requests, maintaining records and corresponding with patients
  • Learn best financial practices for a medical center
  • Master the fundamentals of medical terminology and ethical best practices
  • Understand the basics of working with medical documents, medical billing, and coding processes

How you will benefit

  • Jump-start your career in the medical field
  • Learn how to effectively communicate with prospective patients and fellow professionals in the medical industry
  • Understand how to create positive, efficient experiences for patients to make them more comfortable

How this course is taught

  • This is a non-credit program offered in partnership with ed2go.  You do not have to be admitted to the university to enroll in this program. 
  • This is an open enrollment program, which means you can enroll and start at any time.  There are no set start and end dates. 
  • This course is entirely online and can be completed at a pace and time that is convenient for you.  There are not set times you must attend classes.  
  • You will have 6-months from the date of enrollment to complete this program.  

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites to take this course. However, in order to sit for national certification exams, candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent; therefore, it is recommended you have this before enrolling for this course.


Requirements

Hardware Requirements:

  • This course can be taken on either a PC or Mac.

Software Requirements:

  • PC: Windows XP or later.
  • Mac: OS X Snow Leopard 10.6 or later.
  • Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
  • Microsoft Word (not included in enrollment).
  • Windows Media Player or a similar program.
  • Adobe Flash Player. Click here to download the Flash Player.
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader. Click here to download the Acrobat Reader.
  • Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

  • Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment. The following textbooks will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment:  Administrative Medical Assisting


 

Curriculum

Introduction to Becoming an Administrative Medical Assistant
Understand the tasks typically assigned to an administrative medical assistant, opportunities for employment within the field, effective types of communication, stress management best practices, and patient interview techniques.
 
Law, Ethics, and Healthcare
Master an understanding of ethical guidelines for healthcare providers. Learn about a diverse range of health insurance coverage options and how eligibility effects different people.
 
Medical Offices Best Practices and Technology
Discuss the practicalities of opening and closing a medical facility and the responsibilities that come with the role. Understand various safety issues that a medical assistant may face. Cover the role of computers and telecommunications and how they relate to patient care and scheduling.
 
Introduction to Medical Terminology
Develop the fundamental knowledge of how to communicate using medical terminology, and how to use this vocabulary when it comes to managing medical records.
 
Medical Communication On and Off-Line
Cover and review the correct composition of a business letter, meeting agenda, business email, medical document, and medical billing file.
 
Financial Practices and Administrative Tasks
Learn the ins and outs of daily financial practices within a medical setting. Master dealing with insurance claims and payments in tandem with understanding job duties and office managerial tasks.

 

Instructor

Nancy Smith

Nancy Smith has over 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry. Her clinical experience includes working as a medical assistant for a network of rural health clinics, and as a medical coder, insurance claims specialist, and medical records auditor. She worked as a medical office manager for ten years, where she recruited and trained all medical assistants. Nancy holds a bachelor's degree in vocational education and has developed and taught medical assistant programs.

LaTisha Cottingham

LaTisha Cottingham has over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry. She has six years of teaching experience in the field of medical billing and coding and Medical Assisting. Currently she is employed as an HIM Analyst for a Long-Term Care establishment that is based out of Alabama. Previously she was employed as the lead instructor for the Allied Health Department for a local career institute. LaTisha's field of expertise is in the area of physician-based inpatient coding and Emergency Department coding. The certifications that she holds are as follows: a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT), a Certified Professional Coder (CPC), and a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA). In preparation for ICD-10-CM, LaTisha received her ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer Certification from American Health Information Association (AHIMA), where she is currently a member. LaTisha is also a member of the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) and the National Healthcare Association (NHA) where she is a test proctor.


 

FAQs

WHAT IS A CERTIFIED MEDICAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT? 
A Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) is a certification earned by those who have proven their expertise in efficiently and effectively running healthcare offices. This nationally recognized designation is something that many employers are searching for in one of the fastest-growing careers today. Upon earning this certification, you'll be able to confidently handle correspondence, answer calls, schedule appointments, operate computer systems, maintain files, update and maintain patient information, and create operation reports for any medical practice, essential duties for any administrative medical assistant.
 
WHAT IS THE DEMAND FOR ADMINISTRATIVE MEDICAL ASSISTANTS? 
The demand for Administrative Medical Assistants is high, and it is expected to grow 23 percent over the next several years according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This job growth will result mainly from an increasing elderly population as well as advances in healthcare and medical office technology.
 
WHAT DOES AN ADMINISTRATIVE MEDICAL ASSISTANT DO?  
An Administrative Medical Assistant manages all the front desk activities for a hospital, doctor's office, or other medical facility. This is an integral role in healthcare as it allows doctors and other medical staff to focus on caring for patients. In this role, you will need to have excellent customer service skills as you are often the first person that patients connect with at a medical facility. You will need to be able to multitask, deal with stress well, use computer systems, handle money, and communicate clearly and concisely. You'll master all of these things and more!
 
WHAT PERSONALITY TRAITS ARE HELPFUL FOR MEDICAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS? 
As a medical admin, you will interact with patients every day. In fact, you'll often be the first person to greet patients as they enter the medical facility. You'll need the ability to stay calm under pressure, as well as have a friendly demeanor. You'll need to multi-task as this is a position that requires you to juggle a lot of moving parts (answering phones, talking with patients, charting, computer systems, interacting with other office staff including doctors, etc.) You should have the ability to take initiative and be a self-starter. The most successful medical administrative assistants are also organized, dependable, and understand the importance of confidentiality.
 
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ADMINISTRATIVE MEDICAL ASSISTANT AND A MEDICAL ASSISTANT?  
The difference between an Administrative Medical Assistant and a Medical Assistant is that while both positions can and do perform clerical tasks, a Medical Assistant also has the ability to perform some clinical tasks such as helping with examinations, giving injections, and preparing specimens for lab tests.
 
HOW MUCH DOES AN ADMINISTRATIVE MEDICAL ASSISTANT MAKE?  
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Administrative Medical Assistants earn a median salary of $36,000. 
 
WHERE WILL I WORK AS A MEDICAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT?  
Medical administrative assistants are found in nearly every medical office in the country. By earning your CMAA, you'll be prepared to work for clinics, private physician offices, hospitals, surgery centers, dentists, optometrists, chiropractors, and more. Professional medical offices need CMAAs to help keep their offices running smoothly as they treat patients.
 
DO I HAVE TO BE ADDMITTED TO MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY TO ENROLL IN THIS PROGRAM?
No, you do not have to be an admitted student to Mississippi State University to enroll in this program.  Our online non-credit advanced career training programs are open to all. 
 
WHEN CAN I START THE COURSE?
This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course as soon as you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.
 
AM I GUARANTEED A JOB?
This course will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering.
 
CAN I GET FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE?
This course is non-credit, so it does not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA and Pell Grant. Financing is available through other private, military, and government funding options.  Learn more about financial assistance.  

Registration Information

The Certified Medical Administrative Assistant program is 100% online and allows you to enroll at any time.  After enrolling you will have 6 months to complete the program at a pace that is convenient for you.  You can get started today by clicking the "Enroll Now" button below and completing your registration at our partner ed2go site.