11 Medical Assistant Resume Examples for 2024

Building a good medical assistant resume is key to getting the job you want. In this article, we provide resume examples and advice on what to include. Learn what hiring managers look for, how to highlight your skills, and make your resume clear and strong.

  Compiled and approved by Steve Grafton
  Last updated on See history of changes

  Next update scheduled for

At a Glance

Here's what we see in the best resumes for a medical assistant job.

  • Show Measurable Impact: Use numbers to show your impact. Metrics like patient satisfaction score, time taken for procedures, error rate, and patient turnaround time help hiring managers see your value.

  • Highlight Relevant Skills: Include skills on your resume that you have and are mentioned on the job description. Some popular ones are phlebotomy, EKG, patient scheduling, medical billing, and electronic health records. But don't include all of them, choose the ones you have and are mentioned in the JD.

  • Show Certifications: Certifications are important. Look for phrases like CMA certified, CPR trained, or First Aid on examples to guide you.

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Where to place education

As a hiring manager, I advise you place your education section strategically on your resume. If you are a new medical assistant graduate or have recently obtained a certification relevant to healthcare, lead with your education. Your latest academic achievements show current knowledge and dedication to the medical field.

For those with more experience in healthcare, consider listing your work history first. Highlighting hands-on experience can be more impactful, as it demonstrates your skills in a practical setting. Yet ensure your education is still easily found, as formal training is vital for a medical assistant role.

Section Example Education for Medical Assistant
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Highlight relevant skills

When listing skills, use those specific to being a medical assistant, such as taking vitals, administering medications, and patient scheduling.

Also include any knowledge in electronic health records (EHR). This sets you apart by showing you can handle the technical aspects of the job as well.

Ideal resume length

You want your resume to be long enough to show your qualifications but short enough to keep the hiring manager's attention. For medical assistants, especially if you have less than 10 years of experience, aim for a one-page resume. This helps you focus on your most relevant skills and experiences that are key for this role, such as patient care and knowledge of medical terminology.

If you have more than 10 years of experience or are at a senior level, a two-page resume may be better to cover all your qualifications. Always ensure your most important information is on the first page. Prioritize your recent work experience, relevant certifications, and skills that directly relate to the job of a medical assistant, and place them prominently on the first page. To manage space, opt for a clean, straightforward layout and keep margins and fonts in readable sizes.

Show certification

Certain certifications are crucial in the medical assistant field. Always list your certifications like CMA (Certified Medical Assistant) or RMA (Registered Medical Assistant) prominently on your resume.

Include these certifications in the summary or the education section. This shows employers you meet industry standards and can be trusted with patient care.

Optimize for ATS

When you apply for a job as a medical assistant, your resume will often be screened by an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). These systems look for keywords and formats that match the job description. To ensure your resume gets noticed:

  • Use standard headings like 'Work Experience' and 'Education'. Avoid creative titles.
  • Include job-related keywords from the job description, such as 'patient care', 'vital signs', and 'electronic health records'.

Keep your formatting simple. Avoid images, graphics, and tables. These elements can confuse the ATS and lead to your resume being rejected.

Make your resume fit

To get the job you want as a medical assistant, you need to show why you're the right fit. Make your resume speak to the job by showing your skills and experience in a way that matches what the employer is looking for. Here's how you can tailor your resume:

  • Look at the job posting. Use the same words they do to describe your own skills. If they ask for 'patient care,' and you've done that, say 'Provided high-quality patient care in a busy clinic' on your resume.
  • For any tools or software listed in the job, put down those you've used. If the job needs experience with 'electronic health records,' and you have it, list 'Managed patient information using electronic health records software.'
  • If you're moving to this field from another, think about what tasks you've done before that medical assistants also do. Maybe you have scheduled appointments or taken phone calls. Show this by writing 'Handled scheduling and managed inbound calls to assist customers' on your resume.
Bullet Point Samples By Job Title for Medical Assistant
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Highlight your medical skills

As a hiring manager, I've seen how a well-crafted skills section can help your resume stand out. Focus on the technical abilities that make you a great fit for a medical assistant role. Here are some skills you might include:

  • Vital signs measurement
  • Medical billing
  • Electronic health records (EHR) management
  • Phlebotomy
  • Injection administration
  • Medical coding
  • Patient scheduling
  • Diagnostic testing
  • Sanitation and sterilization
  • Medical terminology

Include these skills in a dedicated section on your resume. This helps Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) pick them up and shows hiring managers you have the necessary technical expertise. Don’t feel you need every skill listed; choose those that match your experience and the job you want. For example, if you're skilled in phlebotomy, make sure it’s included, especially if the job description emphasizes it.

Remember, a good resume is tailored to the job. If the posting asks for experience with medical billing, place that skill prominently on your resume. This strategy can help you get noticed and demonstrate that you are a strong candidate for the position.

Section Example Skills for Medical Assistant
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Quantify your impact

When you write your resume, showing your impact with numbers makes your experience stand out. Employers want to see how you can contribute to their team. As a medical assistant, there are specific metrics you can use to highlight your accomplishments.

Think about your past work. Ask yourself: How many patients did I assist each day? Did I help reduce wait times? How many procedures did I support or perform? Even if you're unsure of exact numbers, you can estimate. Here's why numbers matter:

  • Numbers show the scale of your work. For example, assisting 50+ patients daily demonstrates your ability to handle a busy environment.
  • Metrics like 20% reduction in patient wait times highlight your efficiency.
  • If you've been part of a team that improved patient satisfaction scores by 30%, it shows your dedication to patient care.
  • Recording 100+ patient records weekly proves your attention to detail and organizational skills.

Remember to use numbers that reflect your contributions clearly. For example:

  • Managed inventory, reducing waste and saving the clinic $5,000 annually.
  • Implemented a new scheduling system that increased department efficiency by 15%.

Use these ideas to think about your own experiences. Then, write them down in simple, clear sentences. This will help employers see the value you can bring as a medical assistant.

Show leadership and promotions

As you build your resume, it's important to show any leadership roles or promotions you've had. This tells hiring managers that you have a track record of growth and responsibility.

Think about times you took charge of a project or led a team. Even if your title didn't change, these are key moments that demonstrate your leadership skills. Here are some ways to describe these experiences:

  • "Trained new staff on patient care protocols, leading to a 15% increase in team efficiency"
  • "Elected by peers to represent the clinic in regional health fairs, enhancing community engagement"

If you've been promoted, make sure to highlight this. It's a clear sign of your good work and potential. List your old and new titles, and briefly describe new responsibilities or skills you learned. For example:

  • "Promoted from assistant to lead medical assistant within one year due to strong performance in patient care and administrative duties"
  • "Received promotion to senior staff after successfully implementing a new electronic health records system, improving data accuracy"

Tailoring your resume for company size

When you're applying to smaller practices or startups, such as local health clinics, highlight your versatility and direct patient care experience. Small teams value employees who can perform a variety of tasks. You might say, "Provided comprehensive patient care and administrative support in a fast-paced clinic."

In contrast, applying to large hospitals or medical groups like Kaiser Permanente or the Mayo Clinic, emphasize your ability to work within large teams and your understanding of complex healthcare systems. Mention specific software or procedures you are familiar with that are relevant to big organizations. A good phrase to use is, "Collaborated in a large healthcare team, utilizing advanced EMR systems to improve patient outcomes."

Regardless of the company size, always show your certification and any relevant training. Also, make sure to highlight good communication skills and your commitment to patient care – these qualities are valued universally.

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