Entry Level Medical Assistant Resume Example

Medical assistants are vital to the health care industry. In addition to working alongside physicians and nurses to provide patient care, they assist in clinical procedures and manage administrative tasks like scheduling appointments and maintaining medical records.

If you’re looking to break into the field, you may find crafting an entry-level medical assistant resume daunting, especially if you have no prior experience. However, with the right approach and guidance, you can create a compelling resume that highlights your skills and strengths to potential employers.

We’ll go through three tips on how to write an impressive entry-level medical assistant resume.

Write a convincing medical resume objective

Your resume objective is the first section of your resume that a hiring manager will see. This is your chance to make a great first impression, so tailor your objective to the specific position you’re applying for, highlight your skills and strengths, and make sure to convey your enthusiasm for the role.

Here’s an example of a great medical resume objective written by a candidate with no work experience:

As a bilingual high school graduate with a Phlebotomy Certification, I recently completed a 1-month medical assistant externship and am seeking an entry-level position at ABC Health Center. I offer strong interpersonal and organizational skills, along with a proactive and resourceful approach to patient care. With solid administrative skills and a flexible schedule, my goal is to use my strengths and quick learning ability to provide exceptional care while developing professionally in a dynamic health care environment.

This is a great example because this candidate effectively shows they have the necessary certification as well as key skills required for this entry-level position. Although an employer seeking entry-level medical assistants can provide on-the-job training, it’s important to show your ability to start working from day one and your willingness to grow in the role.

Mention job-relevant work experience throughout your resume

When you don’t have experience as a medical assistant, you can still showcase skills on your resume by including relevant work experience on your resume. Don’t worry if you don’t have any yet –  there are several ways to prepare yourself to gain some, even if you’re crunched for time.

Relevant paid experience for this type of position can include working in an office environment for example, or another position where you applied essential communication skills and excelled at following directions.

If this is your first job or you’re a recent graduate looking to apply your theoretical knowledge, consider enrolling in a medical assisting program with hands-on experience or volunteering at a local clinic or hospital.

Now that we’ve identified what qualifies as job-relevant experience, let’s take a look at how you can mention it throughout your resume. When you have little to no experience, it’s crucial to leverage all parts of your resume to show you’re the right candidate.

In the skills and work experience section on your resume, focus on highlighting skills and qualities relevant to the position like the following:

• attention to detail
• strong communication abilities (both written and verbal)
• proficiency in basic computer applications (MS Office skills and especially Excel)

Use active verbs, quantify information with hard numbers, and use concrete examples to add context to your past responsibilities and accomplishments on your resume. The following example does just that, featuring an entry-level physician assistant whose experience entails volunteer work and an externship:

Highlight your medical qualifications and certifications

As a medical assistant, you may need to have certain qualifications and certifications to be eligible for the position. Some examples of certifications include:

• Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
• Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)
• Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)
• Nationally Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA)
• Podiatric Medical Assistant Certified (PMAC)
• Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA)

If a job requires certifications, have them stand out by placing your certification section toward the top of your resume or mentioning it in your resume objective. Remember to list your certifications clearly and in an organized fashion so that your key information is legible by mentioning the following:

1. Name of the certification
2. Name of the organization that awarded it
3. Date earned (or expected date of completion)
4. Location (city, state)

Organize your resume sections strategically

Organize your resume in a logical way by choosing the right resume format. This can help the hiring manager easily identify your strengths, skills, and qualifications, but can also strengthen your job application by drawing attention away from any shortcomings.

Here’s an example of a strategic organization for an entry-level medical assistant resume:

1. Resume objective
2. Education and qualifications (certifications included)
3. Work experience
4. Additional skills and languages

Depending on the job requirements, you’ll want to organize these resume sections so that the most job-important information is located toward the top of your resume. However, if the employer is willing to hire candidates with no experience or certifications and provide on-the-job training, you may want to put your job-relevant skills and work experience forward instead.

Emphasize your soft skills

In addition to your technical skills, soft skills are critical for medical assistants. They help patients trust you and help you better fulfill your role as a caregiver. Empathy, active listening, problem solving, and a strong work ethic are great examples of essential medical assistant soft skills you should list. Some examples of top soft skills for a medical assistant include:

• Strong communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Empathy and compassion
• Solid teamwork skills
• Strong work ethic
• Active listening
• Adaptability
• Ability to multitask
• Strong organizational skills

It’s not enough to list them in your skills section, however. Emphasize them throughout your resume and give specific examples of how you demonstrated these skills in previous roles (or at school if you’re a recent graduate).

Even though soft skills aren’t measurable like hard skills are, they’re critical to your success in a medical assistant role and play an important part in an employer’s decision to hire you.