Skip to content

How to Become a Medical Assistant in New Jersey and Pennsylvania

Smiling medical assistant in scrubs at hospital Whether you’re a recent high school graduate or someone seeking a career change, medical assisting offers a fast, flexible, and rewarding path into the healthcare field. With growing demand across New Jersey and Pennsylvania, this role combines clinical and administrative responsibilities, making it a vital part of any healthcare team.

Prism Career Institute offers a comprehensive Medical Assistant (MA) training program near you in Cherry Hill and West Atlantic City, NJ and Philadelphia, PA. In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about how to become a medical assistant, from education and certification to job outlook and career growth.

Medical Assistant Careers At-a-Glance

  • Most medical assistant programs can be completed in under a year, allowing you to begin working in the healthcare field quickly and efficiently.
  • Medical assistants are trained in both administrative and clinical tasks, making them valuable in a wide range of healthcare settings, from hospitals to outpatient clinics.
  • Employment for medical assistants is projected to grow significantly over the next decade, driven by an aging population and the expansion of outpatient care services.
  • With experience and additional training, medical assistants can move into leadership roles such as Lead MA, Office Manager, or even pursue careers in nursing or allied health.
  • Earning a nationally recognized certification like the CCMA, CMA, or RMA can increase your job prospects, salary, and credibility with employers.

What Is a Medical Assistant? The Backbone of Healthcare

Medical assistants (MAs) are essential members of the healthcare team, bridging the gap between administrative support and direct patient care. MAs work in a variety of settings, from doctors’ offices and outpatient clinics, helping ensure smooth operations and quality patient experiences. They perform a wide range of responsibilities, including both clinical and administrative functions:

Administrative Duties

Medical assistants are often the first point of contact for patients. They play a key role in the efficiency of the front office by handling administrative functions like:

  • Managing appointments: Medical assistants perform appointment management by scheduling patients and coordinating timely care and organized workflow.
  • Updating electronic health records (EHRs): Medical assistants also maintain and update electronic health records, ensuring accuracy and confidentiality.
  • Handling billing and insurance: Medical assistants often handle billing and insurance, helping patients navigate coverage and payment procedures.
  • Greeting and signing patients in: Verifying and signing in patients is also handled by medical assistants, including collecting medical information and assisting with check-in procedures.
  • Answering phone calls and e-mails: Medical assistants also answer phone calls and respond to inquiries, relaying messages between patients and providers.

Clinical Duties

In addition to administrative tasks, medical assistants provide direct support in clinical settings by:

  • Taking vital signs: Recording vital signs, including blood pressure, temperature, and pulse, is a routine responsibility that helps providers assess a patient’s current health status.
  • Communicating with patients: Before examinations, medical assistants prepare patients by explaining procedures and ensuring their comfort. They may also gather previous health history information.
  • Assisting physicians: MAs often help physicians during diagnostic or treatment processes as needed.
  • Testing: Medical assistants are also responsible for collecting laboratory specimens, such as blood or urine, and ensuring proper handling and labeling for diagnostic testing.

The Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming a Medical Assistant

Starting a career as a medical assistant requires a certain pathway. Following these steps will help you build the foundation for a successful role in healthcare:

Step 1: Meet the Basic Prerequisites

The first requirement for becoming a medical assistant is obtaining a high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED). This educational foundation is essential for enrolling in a formal training program and demonstrates your readiness to take on the academic and practical demands of the profession. Some programs may also require high school level proficiency in math, reading, or computer skills.

Step 2: Choose and Complete an Accredited Training Program

Selecting an accredited training program is a critical step in ensuring your education meets industry standards. Accreditation by organizations such as Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) confirms that the curriculum is comprehensive and recognized by employers and certifying bodies.

You can choose between a certificate or diploma program, which typically takes nine to 12 months, or an associate degree program, which may take up to two years. Certificate programs are ideal for those seeking a faster entry into the workforce, while associate degrees may offer broader career opportunities and transferability for future education.

Many institutions, including Prism Career Institute, offer flexible learning formats as well as convenient day and evening schedules to accommodate different lifestyles. Students can opt for in-person instruction or hybrid models that combine both online learning and in-person lessons, making it easier to balance education with work or family responsibilities.

Step 3: Gain Hands-On Experience (Externship)

A critical component of medical assistant training is the externship, which provides students with supervised, real-world experience in a healthcare setting. This phase of education bridges the gap between classroom instruction and professional practice, allowing students to apply their knowledge in environments such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, and private medical offices.

During an externship, students work alongside experienced healthcare professionals, performing tasks that reflect the daily responsibilities of a medical assistant. The experience not only reinforces technical skills but also helps students develop confidence, professionalism, and adaptability.

Step 4: Get Certified

Obtaining certification as a medical assistant is a strategic step that can significantly enhance your career prospects. While not legally required in every state, certification is highly valued by employers, especially in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. It also often leads to better job opportunities and higher earning potential.

Medical Assistant Certification: Your Key to Success

Certification demonstrates that you have met nationally recognized standards for competency in both administrative and clinical medical assisting tasks. Employers often prefer certified candidates because they are trained to deliver consistent, high-quality care and maintain accurate medical documentation.

Certification also matters because it can lead to higher earning potential and increased access to advancement opportunities within the healthcare field. Certified medical assistants may also be viewed as more reliable and professional, which can improve patient trust and workplace collaboration.

Certifying bodies for medical assistants include:

  • The Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential is offered by American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and requires graduation from an accredited program followed by passing a comprehensi ve exam.
  • The Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) certification is administered by American Medical Technologists (AMT) and is available to graduates of approved programs or individuals with relevant work experience.
  • The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) designation is provided by National Healthcareer Association (NHA) and focuses primarily on clinical competencies required in outpatient and ambulatory care settings.

Job Outlook for Medical Assistants

Medical assisting continues to be one of the most in-demand healthcare support roles in the United States, with particularly strong growth in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. As the healthcare industry expands to meet the needs of aging populations and increased outpatient care, medical assistants are playing a vital role in ensuring efficient, high-quality patient services.

A Career in High Demand

According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment outlook for medical assistants is highly favorable. BLS projects a 12% growth rate from 2024 to 2034, which is significantly faster than the average for all occupations.

This growth is driven by several key factors:

  • An aging population that requires more frequent medical care
  • Expansion of outpatient and ambulatory care facilities
  • Increased reliance on electronic health records (EHR), which medical assistants are trained to manage

Essential Skills Every Successful Medical Assistant Needs

To thrive as a medical assistant, you’ll need a combination of technical expertise and interpersonal strengths. These skills not only help you perform your daily responsibilities effectively but also ensure you provide compassionate, patient-centered care in fast-paced healthcare environments. They include:

Hard Skills (Technical Skills)

These are the hands-on, clinical, and administrative abilities that medical assistants use every day:

  • Blood drawing: Medical assistants in certain states can draw blood. They must be proficient in phlebotomy, which involves drawing blood safely and accurately for laboratory testing.
  • EKG administration: MAs should be trained in electrocardiogram (EKG) administration, allowing them to perform basic cardiac diagnostic procedures under supervision.
  • Medical terminology knowledge: A strong understanding of medical terminology and anatomy is essential for communicating effectively with healthcare providers and documenting patient information correctly.
  • Familiarity with electronic health record (EHR) systems: Knowledge of EHRs is critical, as medical assistants are often responsible for updating patient records, scheduling appointments, and managing clinical data.

Soft Skills (Interpersonal Skills)

Communication and soft skills are also essential for patient interaction, such as:

  • Effective communication skills: These are vital for explaining procedures, answering patient questions, and collaborating with healthcare teams.
  • Empathy: This helps medical assistants build trust and provide emotional support to patients during stressful or vulnerable moments.
  • Strong attention to detail: This trait ensures accuracy in tasks such as recording vital signs, administering medications, and updating medical records.
  • Stress management: The ability to manage stress and remain calm under pressure is essential in busy clinical environments where multitasking and quick decision-making are routine.

The Medical Assistant Career Path: Where Can This Role Take You?

A career as a medical assistant offers more than just a stable entry point into healthcare; it can also serve as a key to long-term growth in the industry. This role provides valuable experience, transferable skills, and multiple pathways for advancement. Some career paths include:

Medical assistants may also progress into supervisory roles, such as lead medical assistant, where they oversee daily operations and mentor junior staff. With additional experience and training, some transition into positions like clinical team leader, while others move into administrative leadership roles such as office manager.

Is Becoming a Medical Assistant Right for You?

Medical assisting is a dynamic and rewarding career, but it’s important to evaluate whether the role aligns with your strengths, interests, and long-term goals. If you’re considering enrolling in a program, some questions to consider include:

  • Do you enjoy helping others and making a positive impact on their health and well-being?
  • Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced environment where multitasking is often required?
  • Can you remain calm and focused under pressure, especially in clinical settings?
  • Are you detail-oriented and able to follow procedures with accuracy and consistency?
  • Do you communicate clearly and professionally with people from diverse backgrounds?
  • Are you interested in learning medical terminology, clinical procedures, and healthcare technology?
  • Do you value job stability and opportunities for growth in the healthcare industry?

Ready to Start Your Journey at Prism Career Institute in NJ and PA?

If you’re ready to take the next step toward a fulfilling healthcare career, becoming a Medical Assistant could be the perfect choice. With strong job growth, competitive salaries, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on patients’ lives, this role offers both stability and purpose. Whether you’re located in New Jersey or Pennsylvania, Prism Career Institute provides the training, support, and hands-on experience you need to succeed.

We also offer financial aid options for students who qualify and helpful career services. To start your academic journey or apply today, contact one of our campuses near you in Philadelphia, PA, or Cherry Hill or West Atlantic City, NJ.

FAQs About How to Become a Medical Assistant

Is an associate’s degree required to become a medical assistant?

No, an associate’s degree is not always required to become a medical assistant. You can also complete an accredited certificate program. However, it is a common option.

Is Medical Assisting a good career choice?

Yes, medical assisting offers strong job growth, competitive pay, and the opportunity to work directly with patients. It’s also a great entry point into the healthcare field.

What qualities make a good medical assistant?

Successful medical assistants are detail-oriented, compassionate, organized, and able to work well in fast-paced environments.