The American Medical Technologists (AMT) is a nonprofit certification agency and professional membership association representing over 41,000 individuals in allied health care. Established in 1939, AMT has been providing allied health professionals with professional certification services and membership programs to enhance their professional and personal growth.
AMT's mission is to issue certification credentials to medical and dental assistants, clinical laboratory personnel, laboratory consultants, and allied health instructors.
Members include Medical Technologists, Medical Laboratory Technicians, Medical Assistants, Medical Administrative Specialists, Dental Assistants, Office Laboratory Technicians, Phlebotomy Technicians, Laboratory Consultants, and Allied Health Instructors.
In order to become an AMT member, you need to be certified by meeting educational, professional experience and examination requirements. Once certified by AMT, members receive many valuable benefits that include educational and professional programs, career assistance, information services, networking opportunities, and many other benefits.As a certification agency, AMT strives to provide competency-based examination certification for allied health professionals. Individuals opting to become certified and those choosing AMT, realize that when they pass the examination, they are receiving a credible certification from an agency that has been certifying individuals for 65 years.
Our examination-based certifications are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). NCCA is the accreditation body of NOCA. AMT must meet and demonstrate compliance with each accreditation standard. NCCA's Standards meet the requirements set forth by the American Psychological Association and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. These stringent requirements mean that the certification examination you take has been thoroughly studied and approved by NCCA.
AMT is a member of the National Organization of Competency Assurance (NOCA).
NOCA has become the leader in setting quality standards for credentialing organizations. Through its annual conference, regional seminars, and publications, NOCA serves its membership as a clearinghouse for information on the latest trends and issues of concern to practitioners and organizations focused on certification, licensure, and human resource development.
For more information on NOCA or NCCA click on the logos on the left.
Why Certify with AMT?
AMT is an established and respected certification agency whose certifications are recognized nationally and internationally.
All of AMT's examination-based certifications are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
AMT is a member and partner with the National Organization for Competency Assurance, the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards, the Career College Association, and the National Certification Commission.
The U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, notes that job opportunities in allied health professions, (i.e., medical assisting) are expected to grow much faster than average through 2014.
AMT certification confirms your commitment to an industry-recognized standard and gives you the opportunity to educate and motivate others, while you start your career as an allied health profession.
Having a recognized, national certification from AMT allows you to differentiate yourself from other candidates, and be considered for a position at a higher rate of pay.October 20-24, 2008
National Medical Assistants Week – It is a great opportunity to recognize medical assistants’ vital contributions to health care, and to raise the awareness of the profession.
“Medical assistants provide an invaluable service to both the patient and the healthcare providers in the community. We recognize their dedication to the profession and to the industry.”
Christopher A. Damon, JD, Executive Director of AMT
American Medical Technologists (AMT) helps promote and celebrate National Medical Assistants Week (NMAW), which occurs each October.
Career as a Medical Assistant
Nature of the JobMedical assistants perform routine administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices and clinics of numerous health professionals running smoothly.
Medical assistants should not be confused with Physician Assistants. Physician Assistants have expanded duties and actually examine, diagnose and treat patients under direct supervision of a physician.
Duties vary from office to office and depends on office location, size and if a MA specializes or not.
In small offices, most Medical Assistants handle both administrative and clinical duties and are considered “generalists.” Also, MA’s in small offices tend to report directly to a physician, health practitioner or office manager.
In larger offices, most Medical Assistants tend to specialize in a particular area. Also, MA’s in large offices report to department administrators or other operations management.
Duties could vary by state. Each medical assisting program at an accredited Medical Assisting school will be able to provide a list of duties a MA performs.
Some of the duties performed by MA’s:
Taking medical histories
Recording vital signs
Explaining treatment procedures to patients
Preparing patients for examination
Assisting the physician during the examination
Collect and prepare laboratory specimens
Perform basic laboratory tests on the premises
Dispose of contaminated supplies
Sterilize medical instruments
Instruct patients about medication and special diets
Prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician
Authorize drug refills as directed
Telephone prescriptions to a pharmacy
Draw blood
Prepare patients for x-rays
Take electrocardiograms
Remove sutures
Change dressings
Arrange examining room instruments and equipment
Purchase and maintain supplies and equipment
Keep waiting and examining rooms neat and clean
Allergy skin testing
Processing insurance claims
Operating a computerized patient management system
Scheduling appointments
Managing office emergencies
Performing CPR and emergency first aid
Specialized areas of Medical Assistants are:
Podiatric medical assistants: make castings of feet, expose and develop x rays, and assist in podiatrists in surgery
Ophthalmic medical assistants: help ophthalmologists provide medical eye care; conduct diagnostic tests, measure and record vision, and test eye muscle function. Show patients how to insert, remove and care for contact lenses; apply eye dressings. May administer eye medications under care of the physician and they maintain optical and surgical instruments. They may also assist the ophthalmologist in surgery.
Education Requirements:
Most employers prefer graduates who graduated from an accredited Medical Assisting program. Accredited Medical Assisting programs are offered in postsecondary vocational schools, junior colleges and in colleges and universities. Postsecondary programs usually last either one year or less which results in a certificate or diploma or two years with an associate degree.
Formal training is not mandatory but recommended. Some high schools offer courses covering those needed and with the volunteering in a health care setting provides enough education to begin a career in medical assisting. However, without formal training, certification is not eligible until five years of experience is reached. Formal education is recommended by many employers.
Courses/topics covered are:
Anatomy
Physiology
Medical terminology
Typing
Transcription
Recordkeeping
Accounting
Insurance processing
Laboratory techniques
Clinical and diagnostic procedures
Pharmaceutical principles
Medication administration
First aid
Office practices and procedures
Patient relations
Medical law
Ethics
Most accredited programs include an internship that provides practical experience in a hospital, healthcare facility or physicians’ office.There is no licensing for medical assistants, however, some states require them to take a test or course before they can perform certain job duties, such as x-rays. Employers prefer to hire experienced workers and many prefer certified applicants who have passed a national examination, indicating that the medical assistant meets certain standards of competence.
AMT is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
Medical assistants are able to advance to office manager or a variety of administrative duties and may teach medical assisting courses after a number of years of experience. Some medical assistants return to school for more education to become nurses, medical laboratory technicians, medical technologists or enter into other health related occupations. Some medical assistants also certify as phlebotomy technicians (the practice of drawing blood) besides their medical assisting certification.
Working Conditions
Medical assistants deal with the public on a daily basis and must be neat and well groomed. Their working conditions are in well-lighted and very clean environments. Most medical assistants work a 40-hour work week and depending on where employed, may work nights and weekends.
Employment/Employment Outlook
Employment of medical assistants is expected to grow much faster than average for all occupations through the year 2014 as the health care industry expands because of technological advances in medicine and the growth and aging of the population. Increasing utilization of medical assistants in the rapidly growing health care industry will further stimulate job growth. In fact, medical assistanting is projected to be one of the fastest growing occupations over the 2004-14 period.
Employment growth will be driven by the increase in the number of group practices, clinics, and other health care facilities that need a high proportion of support personnel, particularly the flexible medical assistant who can handle both administrative and clinical duties. Medical assistants work primarily in outpatient settings, a rapidly growing sector of the health care industry.
In view of the preference of many health care employers for trained personnel, job prospects should be best for medical assistants with formal training or experience, particularly for those with certification.
Estimated Earnings
The earnings of medical assistants vary, depending on their experience, skill level, and location. Median annual earnings of medical assistants were $24,610 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $20,650 and $28,930. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $18,010, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $34,650. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of medical assistants in May 2004 were:
Colleges, universities, and professional schools $27,490
Outpatient care centers 25,360
General medical and surgical hospitals 25,160
Offices of physicians 24,930
Offices of other health practitioners 21,930
Career information from Occuational Outlook Handbook online.
Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)
AMT MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of AMT is to manage, promote, expand upon and continuously improve our certification programs for allied health professionals who work in a variety of disciplines and settings, to administer certification examinations in accordance with the highest standards of accreditation, and to provide continuing education, information, advocacy services and other benefits to our AMT members.
AMT VISION STATEMENT
Our vision is for American Medical Technologists to be acknowledged and recognized by the world as truly being THE premier certification and membership organization for allied health professionals, particularly those in the professions of medical technology, phlebotomy, medical assisting, dental assisting and medical office administration.
