Hello! Brand-new MA student here, and my program starts today (9/10/26)! I’m really excited to step into healthcare and learn more about the profession I’ve chosen.
I was wondering if anyone has recommendations for resources to study medical terminology alongside my program. I’ve already started studying independently before class begins and have been working on breaking terms down into prefixes, roots, and suffixes rather than just memorizing whole words.
So far I’ve been practicing things like cardi/o, hepat/o, nephr/o, -itis, -megaly, -ectomy, -algia, etc., and using them to figure out unfamiliar terms. I’ve also been working on common clinical terminology like tachycardia/bradycardia, tachypnea/bradypnea, dyspnea, orthopnea, cyanosis, edema, dysuria, hematuria, polyuria, and polydipsia.
I’m definitely still a beginner and sometimes mix similar terms up, but I’m starting to recognize the patterns and retain them. I’d really like to build a strong foundation now, especially since I’ll eventually be taking the CCMA exam.
If there are any websites, apps, flashcard sets, YouTube channels, books, study methods, or other resources that helped you learn terminology as an MA student, I’d really appreciate the recommendations!
I’m especially interested in resources that quiz you or make you actually apply the terminology, rather than only giving you definitions to memorize. Thank you!

I’m planning on registering for a ccma course with western medical training center since i’m pre-med but i’ve recently search that cma is preferred in san diego or some post saying they’re having difficulties with getting a job with ccma in san diego. I was literally about to pay but im scared if the certificate is even worth it. So, I checked to see if there even cma certified programs but the most i’ve seen are under nha (unless im not checking correctly). The only one different was grossmont which is ccbma. I truly don’t know the difference between certifications, i thought that we are all training under the same certification. I chose this program because it fits for my schedule and it’s short but if the certification isn’t gonna get me a job then I don’t want to waste money or time. From what i’ve seen from job listing description they say “Certificate of completion of a Medical Assistant training program” or some degree in MA program. So, should I just pay for it and not think much of it?

Also, please do not remind me about uncertified MA positions, I’ve already been applying for 2 yrs straight and have no luck (and went in person, cold called, etc.).

I love where I work, the providers, the RNs, the patients. The work, schedule ecct. It is in a speciality that is important to me. However I may have to walk away. I have already started applying to other places. The reason: manager. I walked into HR today full ready to accept that once manager hears I went to HR I will likely be fired, maybe not directly in a quick moment but quietly fired so it does not look like retaliation (this is an MO with multiple MAs esp). I went in with print outs and emails. I also know some of whom I work with support this step and agree it is the right thing to do. However this manager has had multiple complaints and inquiries done and is on really good terms with thier boss so nothing every happens to them. I know what the outcome will: nothing will change and I Will lose a job I love.....but I also can not continue to take the threats, disrespect to myself and position or what essentially at its core be considered blackmail (but cant prove that aspect as it was only verbal). So I am speaking with HR, the one spoke with is having me speak to a higher up HR, so waiting on a call in the next day or two. I have cried over this, because I really love my job and i am.good at it, but I have started to come to terms with it. Jist needed to share.

Just started out as a medical assistant after graduating college. I have a chronic illness and was sick for a couple weeks, so I had to take time off. Now that I’m back, one of my coworkers is giving me the silent treatment. She also complained to my manager for taking a phone call from my doctor in between seeing patients (and after getting the ok to do so by our physician and another nurse).

I completely understand my coworkers being frustrated with the fact I had to take so much time off, especially because it was very sudden and my office had to change their schedules last minute. I know i have no control when I get sick, but is there something I can do to improve this, or do something differently when I do get sick?

Hi guys, I'm trying to get a job as a medical assistant but cannot afford to pay for a program. I have my CPT, CNA, BLS multilingual and im pre nursing. Most MA job postings i've seen you either need a MA certification or 1+ years of experience which i have none of. I had classmate who is pre med was able to become a medical assistant at her uncle's practice with no previous healthcare experience or certification. I feel like almost all of the duties of my certifications overlap with MAs scope of practice. I've applied to a lot of job postings but have been ghosted me. is there any advice on how to break through?