Difference between Certified Clinical Medical Assistant and Registered Medical Assistant

CCMA certification is the higher level of medical assisting certificates, and RMA certification is lower. The exams for each require different skill sets. An article that will discuss in detail the difference between Certified Clinical Medical Assistant and Registered Medical Assistant.

So, we decided to create this article about Medical Assistant certifications with the help of MedAssistantEdu to ensure that we provide the best possible details about the topic.

There are many fields where you can work as a medical assistant, but two typical specialities within this field include RMA and CCMA. If you want to certify your qualifications so that people will know what kind of skills you have gained through your education and training, then becoming certified in one or both of these specialties may be an option. [Medical assistants who become certified can help their chances of landing a job when looking for employment. This is because this certification shows that the applicant went above and beyond their education, including practical training, experience, and skills testing.]

The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) and the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) are two of several types of medical assistants. These medical assistant types can be distinguished by their skill sets and knowledge base about the job duties they perform as part of their jobs. The difference between a CCMA and an RMA lies in that a CCMA has more skills than an RMA does concerning office-based procedures such as phlebotomy (venipuncture), administering injections, collecting specimens, etc. In contrast, an RMA is better with clinical or medical assisting work, including administrative duties, patient care, and technical skills.

To become certified as a CCMA or RMA, you must pass one exam for each of these specialities. The exams are very different. For example, the RMA certification test has around 90 per cent multiple-choice and 10 per cent true/false questions. In contrast, the CCMA certification test consists of only about 70 per cent multiple-choice questions with 30 per cent true/wrong questions. Another difference between these tests is that the RMA test requires you to know office procedures such as making appointments and filling out insurance forms, but this is not necessary on the CCMA exam even though it does include questions about proper phlebotomy technique. Even though you do not need to be an RMA to become a CCMA (anyone can apply for the RMA exam, but not everyone will pass), you may still be required to work under an RMA for one year to take the CCMA test if you are not already certified in this speciality.

CCMAs possess skills in management and leadership that allow them to oversee health care offices or clinics, manage staff, and perform other administrative duties. They help physicians who do not have their practice by working at an independent medical lab, staffing outpatient facilities such as convalescent homes and home health agencies, or even running their clinic. As part of their job responsibilities, they also see patients directly when needed. The average salary range for this medical assistant is between $26,000 and $34,000 per year.

RMA training is excellent for those already working as an RMA or who have some medical assistant experience before becoming one. If you are looking to become a Medical Assistant but do not have any experience in the field, then it would be better to first work as an office clerk or receptionist before trying to take on RMA duties to gain more administrative skills first.

Once you know which type of medical assistant certification is right for your skillset, it is easy to find CCMAs and RMAs through our website by simply filling out the form at the top of this page. There are also links here if you want more specific information about the CCMA and RMA exams and a link to a directory of articles on all types of medical assistant careers.

The Difference Between Certified Clinical Medical Assistant and Registered Medical Assistant

One of the key differences between these two medical assistant careers is that a regular RMA does not have any special skills or abilities for performing office-based procedures such as collecting specimens, performing phlebotomy (venipuncture), etc. In contrast, a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) does have those skills. A regular RMA has more skills concerning working directly with patients in an office or at another location such as a hospital because their job duties usually include administrative and patient care duties.

Another difference is that RMAs usually must work under a certified clinical medical assistant for one year before taking the CCMA exam. On the other hand, anyone can become an RMA if they have a high school diploma or equivalent and pass the RMA certification test. This is why it is possible to find RMAs working in office-based positions even though they did not initially get these skills from an RMA job.

To become a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA), you must pass both parts of the National Certification Examination given by the Board of Certification – Medical Assisting (BOC-MA). The first part of this exam tests knowledge in medical law and ethics, safety and infection control, patient care and comfort, documentation, coding, and other clinical skills. The second part tests office procedures, which include taking vital signs, phlebotomy, EKG’s and electrocardiograms, assisting with injections, performing venipuncture to draw lab specimens, etc.

An RMA may be required to work under a certified clinical medical assistant for one year if they are not already certified in this speciality before taking the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam. This is because an RMA usually has more knowledge of working directly with patients since their job duties include generally administrative and patient care tasks.