certified medical assistant resume skills

Top 20 Medical Assistant Skills for Resume – How to Highlight, Examples

Resume Format
October 26, 2024
Resume Skills

Medical Assistant Skills for Resume : In the competitive field of healthcare, a medical assistant’s resume must stand out to capture the attention of potential employers. Highlighting the right skills is crucial, as these professionals play a vital role in ensuring the smooth operation of medical facilities. From administrative tasks to patient care, the skills you showcase can make a significant difference in your job prospects.

This article explores the top 20 medical assistant skills that can elevate your resume and demonstrate your value to hiring managers. By understanding which abilities are most sought after in the industry, you can tailor your application to meet the specific needs of employers.

In addition to listing these essential skills, we provide practical examples of how to effectively highlight them in your resume. With the right approach, you can position yourself as a standout candidate, ready to contribute to a thriving healthcare team.

What are Medical Assistant Skills

Medical assistant skills encompass a blend of clinical and administrative abilities. Key skills include patient care, vital sign monitoring, medical record management, appointment scheduling, and effective communication. Proficiency in medical software and knowledge of healthcare regulations are essential, ensuring smooth operations and high-quality patient support in diverse healthcare settings.

Why Medical Assistant Skills Important

Medical assistants play a crucial role in the healthcare system, bridging the gap between patients and providers. Their diverse skill set ensures that medical facilities operate smoothly and efficiently, directly impacting patient care and satisfaction. Here are some key reasons why medical assistant skills are essential:

Patient Interaction : Medical assistants are often the first point of contact for patients. Their ability to communicate effectively helps create a welcoming environment, easing patient anxiety and fostering trust.
Clinical Proficiency : Skills in taking vital signs, preparing patients for examinations, and assisting with procedures are vital for ensuring accurate diagnoses and effective treatment.
Administrative Expertise : Proficient in managing patient records, scheduling appointments, and handling billing, medical assistants help maintain the organization and efficiency of healthcare operations.
Regulatory Compliance : Knowledge of healthcare regulations and protocols ensures that medical assistants contribute to a safe and compliant environment, protecting both patients and the facility.
Team Collaboration : Strong interpersonal skills enable medical assistants to work seamlessly with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, enhancing teamwork and improving patient outcomes.
Adaptability : The healthcare landscape is constantly evolving. Medical assistants who can quickly adapt to new technologies and procedures are invaluable in maintaining high standards of care.

In summary, the skills of medical assistants are not just beneficial; they are essential for delivering quality healthcare, ensuring patient safety, and supporting the overall effectiveness of medical practices.

List of 20 Medical Assistant Skills for Resume

Patient Care
Vital Signs Monitoring
Medical Terminology
Electronic Health Records (EHR)
Medication Administration
Clinical Procedures
Infection Control
Scheduling Appointments
Medical Billing and Coding
Patient Communication
Laboratory Procedures
First Aid and CPR
Time Management
Attention to Detail
Team Collaboration
HIPAA Compliance
Medical Office Management
Customer Service Skills

Top Required Medical Assistant Skills for Resume

Clinical Skills Proficient in performing clinical tasks such as taking vital signs, administering injections, and assisting with examinations. This expertise ensures patient safety and comfort while supporting healthcare providers in delivering effective care.
Administrative Skills Skilled in managing administrative tasks, including scheduling appointments, maintaining patient records, and handling billing processes. This organization enhances office efficiency and ensures seamless patient flow in a medical setting.
Communication Skills Excellent verbal and written communication abilities facilitate clear interactions with patients and healthcare professionals. This skill fosters a supportive environment, ensuring patients understand their care and feel valued.
Patient Care Dedicated to providing compassionate patient care, addressing concerns, and ensuring comfort during visits. This commitment builds trust and encourages patients to engage actively in their healthcare journey.
Medical Terminology Strong understanding of medical terminology allows for accurate documentation and effective communication within the healthcare team. This knowledge minimizes errors and enhances the quality of patient care.
Phlebotomy Skills Experienced in drawing blood and performing laboratory tests with precision. This skill is crucial for accurate diagnostics and helps streamline the patient testing process.
Infection Control Knowledgeable in infection control protocols to maintain a safe environment for patients and staff. This skill is vital in preventing the spread of infections and ensuring compliance with health regulations.
Time Management Effective time management skills enable prioritization of tasks in a fast-paced environment. This ability ensures timely patient care and optimizes workflow in busy medical offices.
Electronic Health Records (EHR) Proficient in using EHR systems for documenting patient information and managing healthcare data. This expertise enhances data accuracy and accessibility, improving overall patient care.
Customer Service Strong customer service skills create a welcoming atmosphere for patients. This ability to address inquiries and resolve issues fosters positive relationships and enhances patient satisfaction.
Basic Life Support (BLS) Certified in BLS, enabling quick and effective response to medical emergencies. This skill is essential for ensuring patient safety and providing immediate care when needed.
Medical Coding Knowledgeable in medical coding practices for accurate billing and insurance claims processing. This skill ensures compliance with regulations and maximizes revenue for healthcare facilities.
Team Collaboration Ability to work collaboratively with healthcare teams to provide comprehensive patient care. This teamwork enhances communication, improves outcomes, and fosters a supportive workplace culture.
Attention to Detail Strong attention to detail ensures accuracy in patient records, medication administration, and clinical procedures. This skill minimizes errors and enhances the quality of care provided.
Problem-Solving Skills Effective problem-solving abilities enable quick identification of issues and implementation of solutions. This skill is vital in addressing patient concerns and improving operational efficiency.
Patient Education Skilled in educating patients about their health conditions, treatment plans, and preventive care. This ability empowers patients to make informed decisions and promotes better health outcomes.
Confidentiality Thorough understanding of HIPAA regulations ensures patient confidentiality is maintained at all times. This commitment builds trust and protects sensitive patient information.
Multitasking Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously without compromising quality. This skill is essential in fast-paced medical environments where efficiency and accuracy are critical.
Basic Medical Procedures Familiarity with basic medical procedures such as wound care and administering medications. This knowledge supports healthcare providers and enhances patient care delivery.
Adaptability Flexible and adaptable to changing situations and patient needs. This skill is crucial in dynamic healthcare environments, ensuring continuous, high-quality patient care.

How to Highlight Medical Assistant Skills on Resume

Highlighting Medical Assistant Skills on your resume is crucial for standing out in a competitive job market. A well-crafted resume can showcase your qualifications and make a lasting impression on potential employers. Here are effective ways to emphasize your Medical Assistant Skills:

Tailor Your Resume : Customize your resume for each job application by aligning your Medical Assistant Skills with the specific requirements listed in the job description.
Use Action Verbs : Start bullet points with strong action verbs to convey your Medical Assistant Skills effectively. Words like “assisted,” “managed,” and “coordinated” can demonstrate your proactive approach.
Quantify Achievements : Whenever possible, include numbers to highlight your accomplishments. For example, “Managed patient records for over 200 clients” showcases your organizational skills.
Include Relevant Certifications : List any certifications related to Medical Assistant Skills, such as CPR, First Aid, or specific medical software proficiency. This adds credibility to your expertise.
Highlight Soft Skills : Don’t forget to mention soft skills that complement your Medical Assistant Skills. Communication, empathy, and teamwork are vital in a healthcare setting.
Create a Skills Section : Dedicate a section of your resume to explicitly list your Medical Assistant Skills. Use bullet points for clarity and ensure they align with the job requirements.
Showcase Clinical Experience : Detail your hands-on experience in clinical settings. Mention specific tasks performed, such as taking vital signs or assisting with examinations, to illustrate your Medical Assistant Skills.
Include Continuing Education : If you have pursued additional training or courses, include these to demonstrate your commitment to enhancing your Medical Assistant Skills.

By effectively showcasing your Medical Assistant Skills, you can create a compelling resume that captures the attention of hiring managers and increases your chances of landing an interview.

Sample Medical Assistant Skills for Resume

[your name].

[Your Address] [City, State, Zip] [Your Phone Number] [Your Email Address] [LinkedIn Profile URL]

Compassionate and detail-oriented Medical Assistant with over [X years] of experience in clinical and administrative settings. Proficient in patient care, medical office procedures, and electronic health record management. Seeking to leverage skills in a dynamic healthcare environment to enhance patient experiences and support medical staff.

Clinical Skills : Vital signs monitoring, phlebotomy, EKG administration, medication administration, wound care, and patient education.
Administrative Skills : Appointment scheduling, medical billing and coding, insurance verification, and patient record management.
Technical Proficiency : Proficient in Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems, Microsoft Office Suite, and medical software applications.
Communication : Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with patients, families, and healthcare professionals.
Team Collaboration : Experience working in multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive patient care.
Time Management : Ability to prioritize tasks and manage time efficiently in fast-paced environments.
Patient Care : Empathetic approach to patient care, ensuring comfort and understanding during medical procedures.

[Your Degree] [Your School Name], [City, State] [Month, Year] – [Month, Year]

Certifications

Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification
[Any other relevant certifications]

Professional Experience

Medical Assistant [Your Previous Employer], [City, State] [Month, Year] – [Month, Year]

Assisted healthcare providers with patient examinations and procedures, ensuring a high standard of care.
Managed patient intake processes, including medical history documentation and vital sign assessments.
Coordinated appointments and maintained accurate patient records in EHR systems.
Educated patients on treatment plans, medications, and follow-up care instructions.

Medical Office Assistant [Your Previous Employer], [City, State] [Month, Year] – [Month, Year]

Handled front desk responsibilities, including answering phones, greeting patients, and managing scheduling.
Processed insurance claims and verified patient insurance coverage to ensure smooth billing operations.
Maintained inventory of medical supplies and ordered as necessary to support clinical operations.

Available upon request.

How to Develop Medical Assistant Skills for Resume

Developing Medical Assistant skills is essential for creating a standout resume that attracts potential employers. Here are effective ways to enhance your skill set:

Enroll in a Training Program : Join accredited medical assistant programs to gain foundational knowledge and hands-on experience.
Obtain Certifications : Pursue certifications such as Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) or Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) to validate your expertise and commitment to the field.
Gain Practical Experience : Seek internships or volunteer opportunities in healthcare settings to apply your skills in real-world scenarios.
Stay Updated on Medical Technology : Familiarize yourself with the latest medical software and equipment to enhance your technical skills.
Develop Communication Skills : Practice effective communication with patients and healthcare professionals to improve your interpersonal skills.
Learn Medical Terminology : Mastering medical terminology is crucial for accurate documentation and communication in a clinical environment.
Focus on Patient Care : Emphasize your ability to provide compassionate care, which is vital in building trust with patients.

By actively seeking opportunities to develop Medical Assistant skills, you will create a compelling resume that showcases your qualifications and makes you a desirable candidate in the healthcare industry.

Also Read : How to Add Skills Section in Resume

FAQs about Medical Assistant Skills

What are essential medical assistant skills to include on a resume.

Essential Medical Assistant Skills to highlight on your resume include clinical skills like taking vital signs, administering injections, and assisting with examinations. Additionally, emphasize administrative skills such as scheduling appointments, managing patient records, and proficiency in medical software. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are also crucial for patient interaction.

How can I demonstrate my Medical Assistant Skills on my resume?

To effectively demonstrate your Medical Assistant Skills on your resume, use specific examples from your experience. Include quantifiable achievements, such as the number of patients assisted or improvements in office efficiency. Tailor your skills section to match the job description, showcasing relevant certifications and training to enhance your qualifications.

Why are Medical Assistant Skills important for job applications?

Medical Assistant Skills are vital for job applications as they showcase your ability to perform essential tasks in a healthcare setting. Employers seek candidates who can efficiently manage both clinical and administrative responsibilities. Highlighting these skills on your resume increases your chances of standing out and securing an interview.

How do I improve my Medical Assistant Skills for my resume?

To improve your Medical Assistant Skills for your resume, consider pursuing additional certifications or specialized training in areas like phlebotomy or EHR management. Participating in workshops, internships, or volunteer opportunities can also enhance your practical experience. Continuous learning demonstrates your commitment to professional growth and enhances your employability.

What soft Medical Assistant Skills should I highlight on my resume?

Soft Medical Assistant Skills are crucial for effective patient care and teamwork. Highlight skills such as empathy, active listening, and strong communication abilities. Problem-solving and time management are also essential, as they enable you to handle various tasks efficiently. These interpersonal skills can significantly impact patient satisfaction and workplace dynamics.

Resume Tips

Choose the right format.

Select a resume format that best showcases your skills and experience. Common formats include chronological, functional, and combination resumes.

Tailor Your Resume

Customize your resume for each job application by highlighting relevant skills and experiences that match the job description.

Focus on Key Sections

Include essential sections such as contact information, professional summary or objective, work experience, education, skills, and relevant certifications.

Use Clear and Concise Language

Be concise and use action verbs to describe your accomplishments and responsibilities in each job role.

Quantify Achievements

Whenever possible, quantify your achievements with numbers or percentages to demonstrate your impact in previous roles.

Highlight Transferable Skills

Emphasize transferable skills that are relevant to the job you're applying for, such as communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills.

Prioritize Readability

Ensure your resume is easy to read by using a clean and professional font, adequate white space, and bullet points for listing information.

Proofread Carefully

Avoid spelling and grammar errors by proofreading your resume multiple times or asking a trusted friend or colleague to review it.

Keep it Updated

Regularly update your resume with new experiences, skills, and accomplishments to reflect your most current qualifications.

Seek Feedback

Consider seeking feedback from career advisors, mentors, or professionals in your industry to improve your resume further.

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11 Medical Assistant Resume Samples for 2024

Medical Assistant Resume

Medical Assistant Resumes by Experience
Medical Assistant Resumes by Role
Writing Your Medical Assistant Resume

Medical assistant jobs are in high demand. The field is expected to grow by 24 percent through 2024, much higher than the average for most other jobs.

You know your way around EMR systems and how to deliver an excellent experience to patients. You shouldn’t also need to be an expert at writing a resume . It can be challenging to discuss your experience and qualifications correctly on your resume.

Our medical assistant resume examples have helped medical assistants land jobs at great hospitals and physician’s offices around the country , so they’re the perfect place for you to get started.

or download as PDF

Medical assistant resume example with 6 years of experience

Why this resume works

If you include a resume objective, customize it for each job you apply to by matching the keywords mentioned in the job.
Many different organizations grant medical assistant certifications. Standards vary by hospital and state, so be clear and include the body that certified you.
Similarly, CPR and First Aid certifications generally last for two years. Remember to include the year you were last certified, or a potential employer might question if your certification is current.

Medical Assistant Student Resume

certified medical assistant resume skills

Projects that leveraged your competency with medical software, such as a public health fair, can be just as valuable on your medical assistant student resume as a full-time healthcare position.

Medical Assistant Externship Resume

Can you recount presenting a relevant project at college? Or maybe you attended a seminar like “TechNurse Evolution” in Mia’s piece? Be sure to bring these moments to life in your resume and then you can fill in the details in your medical assistant cover letter . You’ll need this extra flair besides your appetite for knowledge to learn to make a lasting impression on the hiring manager.

Entry-Level Medical Assistant Resume

Landing your first job as a certified medical assistant can seem daunting. However, a huge plus is a commonly accepted certification process. So once you get your certification, the process becomes far more straightforward.
Your entry-level medical assistant resume could be solid if you had related experience in medicine before earning your certification. If you lack experience, contact medical offices in your area to see if they need organizational help.
When outlining your resume , it’s perfectly okay to include previous work experience outside of medicine. This can help show that you’re disciplined and organized.

Experienced Medical Assistant Resume

Phlebotomy is drawing blood (more commonly known as a blood draw). It requires a separate certification, but it’s not uncommon for experienced medical assistants to specialize as it increases responsibilities on the job and can lead to an increase in pay.
You can include a wide range of skills, from interpersonal (like interviewing patients) to technical (like updating patient records). Remember to highlight the breadth of your expertise whenever possible on your experienced medical assistant resume .

Lead Medical Assistant Resume

Is Asana listed as a crucial tool? Show how you used it previously for team collaboration. Do they dictate proficiency in the SurgiCare Inventory? Detail how you used the platform to streamline medical supplies’ storage, tracking, and usage.

Pediatric Medical Assistant Resume

First things first, examine the job ad carefully and single out relevant keywords. Got them? Then, sprinkle them around your resume. In addition, opt for a layout that the ATS can easily read—this means avoiding any graphics or images that could potentially throw a wrench in your job-hunting efforts right from the start

Clinical Medical Assistant Resume Example

Listen, your updated phone number and email are the bare minimum. Plus, you bag bonus points with a professional email address like [email protected] . So, perhaps save wacky stuff that might raise eyebrows or snag a laugh (think “cat_lover@…com” or love_skeptic@…com”) for the group chats with friends, not your clinical medical assistant resume.

Dermatology Medical Assistant Resume

Include examples of your work with tools such as DermLite on your dermatology medical assistant resume to emphasize your field-specific skill set.

Medical Administrative Assistant Resume Example

If you have resume-related hobbies and interests that stand out, include them when you’re a bit light on relevant work experience.
When discussing your work experience, it helps to start each bullet point with a strong action verb. Format your resume so that it’s easier to scan (the average recruiter spends less than 24 seconds reviewing a resume), and make it clear that you’ve had an impact in previous roles.

Certified Medical Assistant Resume

As you gain more experience as a medical assistant, you should show more leadership and impact. You can beef up your resume by touching upon organizational systems (such as inventory and patient scheduling) that save time and reduce the chances of making mistakes.
Colleges around the country offer specialized programs to train you to become a medical assistant. They’re generally two semesters long, can be part-time, and ultimately end with a certification. If you attended one of these programs, then absolutely mention it.

Related resume guides

Medical Assistant
Medical Receptionist

Resume Format for a Medical Assistant

Desktop and laptop on desk with screens displaying resume format for medical assistant resume

Aside from the actual content of your resume, the formatting you use determines whether a hiring manager will seriously consider your medical assistant resume. When formatted correctly, your resume will be easy to read, have a logical flow, and be complete.

If your resume lacks these formatting qualities, there’s a likelihood that hiring managers won’t take your resume seriously; if it makes their job more difficult, they may toss your application. To properly format your resume, you’ll want to pay special attention to the following:

Resume format options

Contact info and header

ATS and readability

You have a few resume formats to choose from, with these being the most popular in 2024:

Reverse-chronological: This type of format is uniquely positioned to highlight your most recent job experience first, highlighting career growth and giving a competitive advantage when numerous applicants compete with you for the same position.
Functional: This resume format highlights skills over work experience. You might choose this format if you have large gaps in your work experience, but be cautious because many recruiters may find this format confusing or less forthcoming than other popular formatting options.
Combination/hybrid: The combination/hybrid format blends both reverse-chronological and functional formatting by skills and work experience with equal weight. It’s a popular choice for industry experts with many years of experience.

Each type of format can be considered for your resume, but reverse-chronological formatting is what we tend to recommend for any medical assistant resume.

Since recruiters in the medical industry are routinely inundated with 100+ resumes per job posting, they prefer resume formats that lend themselves to quick skimming. A reverse-chronological resume does that while highlighting your most recent job title.

Contact info and header

When a recruiter determines that they want to reach out for an interview, make sure they know how to reach you. Using a large font, position your name on the left side or top center of your resume, and use a smaller font to include the medical assistant job title you seek. Have your contact info available, too.

Your resume header should consist of:

Job title you’re seeking
Phone number
City/State (optional)
Professional links (such as LinkedIn or other professional sites) (optional)

Your header is also a good place to add a (professional) pop of color. Take a look at these resume examples and the visual sample below to get inspiration for a wide variety of header styles!

We don’t want to sound dramatic, but we can’t overemphasize how important it is that your medical assistant resume is ATS-friendly for every job you apply to in 2024.

What is ATS? Simply put, Applicant Tracking System software (ATS) became an integral part of the recruitment process after the explosion of the internet led to sharp increases in online job applicants.

ATS will scan your resume, searching for keywords by recognizing your resume formatting. For this reason, it’s critical that your medical assistant resume matches ATS standards, lest your application gets thrown out without ever being reviewed.

Beat the ATS with these tips:

Margins : Margins on all sides of your resume should be between 0.5-1.0 inch.
Fonts: Stick with basics like Arial, Calibri, Cambria, or Times New Roman.
Font sizes: Your name should be the largest font size (around 24-point), with your title slightly smaller (around 20-point). The rest of your resume (including your contact information) should remain at the standard font size of 12-point.
Header names: Headers throughout your text should stand out in some way. Consider using bold text or contrasting colors.
Skills: Read the job posting. Highlight skills that are particularly applicable for every medical assistant job to which you’re applying.
Logical order: As mentioned, we recommend using reverse-chronological order, with your most recent job experience at the top of the page. ATS prefers it, and it’s easier to read.
One page: If your resume is over a page, it’ll look strange, and recruiters will wonder if you lack enough experience.

Feeling overwhelmed? Check out our resume builder to ensure your formatting is done correctly.

Resume Writing for a Medical Assistant

Job seeker with confused look questions how to write a medical assistant resume on laptop

Job hunting is stress-inducing for most people, and many think of resume and cover letter writing as the peak of their anxiety.

Thankfully, writing an effective resume doesn’t have to be overwhelming. The key is to take it one section at a time. Using our resume builder, you can avoid all the frustration of writing and re-writing improperly formatted sections. Save yourself the time that could be spent on the job search. Let’s address the essentials:

What’s the objective/summary all about?

Work experience, top skills for your medical assistant resume, education, certs, projects, interests, and hobbies.

Resume customization for every medical assistant job application

Edit for a flawless medical assistant resume

Though similar in many ways, a resume objective and summary statement are slightly different paragraphs to consider including in your medical assistant resume. Both are highly specified, short (two to three sentence) paragraphs, but an objective will emphasize why you’re seeking the job, whereas a summary highlights the skills you’ve honed throughout your career.

Consider including a resume objective if you’re going through a substantial career change, such as a dental assistant to a surgical assistant. An objective can also be a helpful place to emphasize why you’re seeking a particular role (and use up white space) if you have minimal experience.

On the other hand, resume summaries focus on skills and specializations developed throughout your career. Consider adding a resume summary if you’re a seasoned medical assistant with 10+ years of experience.

If you decide to include a resume summary or objective, you’ll need to commit to customizing it for every job to which you apply. Let’s review some great examples of highly-specialized resume summaries and objectives.

Example 1—A poorly written objective:

Want to improve my career prospects with a job that will get me experience in the medical field.

What we don’t like: This objective contains no specific details. It should include the job title you’re seeking, one to three specific skills that will help you contribute to the work environment, and the business name to which you’re applying. This objective consumes precious space on your resume without providing any useful information.

Example 2—A strong resume objective:

OSHA and HIPAA-compliant medical assistant with 6+ years of proven experience serving 100+ daily patients in fast-paced ER environments. Seeking an opportunity at Trinity United Healthcare to continue serving patients and medical staff in the Pediatric Orthopedics department, where my efficient workflow and compassionate care management can help ensure more patients are served per hour.

What we like: Specific skills, years of experience, job title, hospital name, and work contributions were mentioned. A resume objective like the one above and the visual sample below deserve the space they take up on your resume.

Medical assistant resume objective example

Example 3—A poorly worded summary:

I have years of experience working well as a medical assistant.

What we don’t like: Like the first objective example, this summary provides little substance. It’s vague and short.

Example 4—A strong resume summary:

Detail-oriented medical assistant with 20+ years of experience in clinics and hospitals across Idaho, with a depth of knowledge of HIPAA, ERM software, medical terminology, and Microsoft Office. I enjoy working in fast-paced environments that enable me to improve patient comfort, physician efficiency, and operating systems.

What we like: This summary gets right to the point, discussing some of the most valuable skills a great medical assistant will possess while highlighting years of work experience and how they would add value to the business.

Your work experience section should include two to four positions you’ve had throughout your career. That means, if you’ve been a medical assistant for many years, you don’t need to include information about the job you had in high school. Instead, focus on the most recent 10-year period, and narrow that list to the most relevant.

Note: if you’ve just entered the workforce, there’s nothing wrong with highlighting less relevant job experience or even class projects and volunteer experience, but we’ll touch on that later.

Writing your job description bullet points

Chunking your job description text with bullet points is a great way to enhance readability and reduce a visually dense or overwhelming resume.

While writing bullet points , focus on:

Action verbs: Start each bullet point with strong, unique verbs such as “Outperformed” or “Overhauled.”
Active voice: Avoid passive voice. A passive phrase, like “the IV was inserted by the R.N.,” is less interesting than active language, like “the R.N. inserted the IV.”
Avoid personal pronouns: The employer knows your resume is written about you!
Either using punctuation or not: When you start writing your bullet points, you can leave periods at the end of your sentences or skip them. Whatever you choose, be consistent.
Verb tense: Though you can keep your current experience in the past tense, ensure all your past work experience is written in the past tense.

Here are a few medical assistant bullet points that incorporate this advice:

Overhauled clinic software operations, integrating Meditech EMR to boost office operation efficiency.
Initiated HIPAA-compliant integration into Microsoft Office scheduling systems.
Outperformed efficiency targets, reaching more clients to confirm appointments and follow up on visits than any other M.A.

We like these bullet points because they use active voice and action words while avoiding personal pronouns such as “I” or “my,” and they have consistent punctuation written in the past tense.

Quantify your medical assistant impact

The only thing our above bullet point examples are missing is quantifiable metrics (numbers). Numbers are an essential element in your medical assistant resume, and you should aim for at least 50 percent of your bullet points, including them.

Why are metrics important?

Numbers positively impact your resume in two ways. First, the visual interest helps break up text and draw in hiring managers’ eyes. This is critical, as it will encourage them to read your resume more thoroughly. Second, numbers are impressive because they demonstrate your proven job performance. In the context of your medical assistant resume, numbers say a thousand words.

Here are a few places you can leverage metrics from your medical assistant work experience:

Consider highlighting your organizational skills by noting the number of patient records you’ve organized. You may also wish to discuss the number of patients you call per shift, the size of the hospital you work for (volume of patients, number of physicians, etc.), or the percentage of patients who gave you positive reviews.
Highlight how you’ve improved workflow as a medical assistant. Perhaps that means you’ve provided hundreds of appointment confirmations, reducing gaps in physician schedules? Or maybe you reorganized E.M.R. software, resulting in increased capacity for patients?
Including metrics about your administrative duties isn’t too hard. Think about the percentage of total office insurance forms you processed, the number of appointments you’ve scheduled per shift, referrals you’ve written, or the types of electronic medical records software you’re trained to use.

Here are a few examples of job description bullet points that would work well for any medical assistant resume.

Automated 6 clerical functions, including processing insurance forms and filing medical records
Scheduled 30+ daily patients for diagnostic testing and follow-up appointments to ensure completion of testing
Overhauled and maintained EMR by performing 100% of order reconciliations, secure messaging, and other tasks

One of the most under-utilized sections on most resumes is the skills section. Many medical assistants don’t realize that this section is essential for catching the eye of ATS. Since ATS works by matching keywords in your resume to pre-selected words (skills) chosen by hiring managers, you want to ensure you’re listing the right skills.

Ideally, your medical assistant resume should include both hard and soft skills. Hard skills such as “CRM software proficiency” can be trained. They’re highly specific to the job title you’re seeking, and they demonstrate your ability to utilize the skill (they’re easily measurable).

On the other hand, soft skills are skills you can include on any resume. These skills, such as “organization” or “attention to detail,” are universally important. However, it’s difficult to measure these skills; they’re often overused and may be disregarded by hiring managers.

Focus mostly on hard skills while incorporating a few particularly relevant soft skills. Include 6 to 10 resume-relevant skills for your medical assistant resume, such as:

Infectious Disease Mitigation and HIPAA compliance: Being aware of regulations, laws, and best practices to keep patient information safe while reducing the risk of contracting or spreading disease. Hiring managers won’t overlook these hard skills.
Reading electrocardiograms (EKG) : This is a great hard skill that not all medical assistants have. Stand out by emphasizing your vitals-taking skills.
EMR software: Do you have an understanding of Epic or Meditech software? Specify which EMR systems you know.
Typing speed: If you want to impress, use this hard skill and share your words per minute.
Bilingual: Do you know Spanish, A.S.L., or Arabic? Share this hard skill, as it’s always in high demand in healthcare.
Compassionate care: This is a soft skill, but it’s important that the focus of all of your work as a medical assistant is on the health and well-being of your patients.

Becoming a medical assistant has a few different educational routes. Some employers are satisfied with on-the-job training experience, while others seek applicants with one-year certificates or an associate’s degree. Legally, there are no formal training requirements to become a medical assistant.

When listing your education, avoid including too many details unless you’re a recent graduate with limited work experience. As you gain work experience, you can reduce details about your education, including only your most advanced education level.

Though not required by all employers, most prefer CPR and First Aid Certification; if you have your Certified Medical Assistant Certification (AAMA), include it. Like Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CASC), other specialized certifications will make your resume even more impressive.

Wow employers with your most impressive certs.

Medical assistant resume certifications example

You may wonder if you should include resume-related interests and hobbies in your piece. Generally, we don’t recommend medical assistants have these on their resumes, but there are instances it may be appropriate:

Anyone with minimal work experience should consider adding interests and hobbies.
Just make sure you elaborate on how the hobby or interest is relevant during an interview!
Perhaps you’ve spent years volunteering for a non-profit that sorts and ships medical equipment around the world? Or maybe you volunteer with the administrative office at your local hospital?

Resume customization for every medical assistant job app

Want to stand out from the competition? Then make sure the employer sees that you read the job description , that you take their time seriously, and that you genuinely want this position.

Show you care by customizing your resume to every job you apply for.

If you include a resume objective or summary, tailor it to the job—mention specifics like the job title, relevant skills, and the company name.
Your skills section should be fully customized. Read the job description to determine which skills are essential to the hiring manager.
Your bullet points should also be specialized. Again, focus on what the job description says, and write your bullet points to highlight your most closely-aligning experience.

Finally completed your resume? Step back from your masterpiece and come back with fresh eyes for the edits. Once you return to it, you may be surprised that a few grammatical errors made it prominently onto your resume.

Wahoo, cheers to you! You’ve taken the first step to upping your resume game. We’ve covered many topics, including formatting techniques, ATS, skills section, work experience tips, and more. We know you’re ready for the next step:

Tap into our resume checker to upload your existing medical assistant resume. Once there, you’ll get AI-powered tips to improve things like verb tense, work experience, word counts (per bullet point and resume), and your use of action words.
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