A Guide to Becoming a Pediatric Medical Assistant

January 8, 2026

If you’re researching healthcare careers and are interested in working with children, becoming a pediatric medical assistant may be a path worth exploring. This role blends patient interaction with essential pediatric healthcare support, making it appealing to those who are interested in a meaningful and rewarding career.

In this guide, we’ll break down key aspects of the role, what to expect along the way, and how to take the next steps with confidence. 

What Is a Pediatric Medical Assistant?

A pediatric medical assistant is a healthcare professional who works specifically with pediatric patients, focusing on the unique needs of infants, children, adolescents, and their families. While the role is rooted in general medical assisting, pediatric medical assistants work in child-focused healthcare settings where communication, adaptability, and patient comfort are especially important. They also often build long-term relationships with the families they support.

Responsibilities and Duties of a Pediatric Medical Assistant

Some of the most common day-to-day responsibilities of pediatric medical assistants include:

• Taking vital signs and measurements – Recording height, weight, temperature, and blood pressure information while tracking pediatric growth patterns
• Assisting with pediatric exams and procedures – Preparing exam rooms, supporting providers, and helping children feel calm and comfortable
• Administering vaccinations and medications – Preparing and administering immunizations while following pediatric dosing and safety guidelines
• Collecting and preparing lab specimens – Compiling and labeling specimens accurately and ensuring proper handling
• Communicating with children and parents – Explaining procedures in age-appropriate language and sharing clear instructions with families
• Maintaining medical records and documentation – Updating patient charts and entering accurate information into electronic health records
• Scheduling appointments and assisting with front-office tasks – Coordinating visits, managing phone calls, and supporting patient check-in and check-out
• Supporting growth and development screenings – Assisting with developmental assessments and tracking pediatric milestones
• Ensuring a safe and child-friendly environment – Cleaning equipment, following safety protocols, and maintaining a welcoming clinical space for adolescents and families

Skills and Traits Needed to Succeed as a Pediatric Medical Assistant

Some overarching skills that are beneficial for professionals pursuing a career as a medical assistant include:

• Strong communication and listening skills
• Attention to detail
• Organization and time management
• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment
• Comfort working with electronic health records
• Professionalism and reliability

Personal traits that are especially important for pediatric-specific care include:

• Empathy and compassion
• Ability to remain calm during emotional situations
• Comfort working with infants, children, and adolescents
• Adaptability when working with different ages and personalities
• Positive and reassuring demeanor

5 Steps to Becoming a Pediatric Medical Assistant

1. Complete Required Education and Research Your Options

The first step toward becoming a pediatric medical assistant is completing high school or getting your GED. From there, you will want to take time to research healthcare careers and medical assistant programs to better understand what your future role will involve and whether working in pediatric-focused settings aligns with your interests.

2. Start a Medical Assistant Program

Enrolling in a medical assistant program is a key step in gaining the clinical and administrative knowledge needed for the field. Programs typically cover topics such as patient care, medical procedures, anatomy, and more, helping prepare students for entry-level positions.

3. Gain Hands-On Pediatric Clinical Experience

Hands-on experience is essential when working with pediatric patients. Through clinical training, labs, and externships, students gain real-world exposure to working directly with children, their families, and healthcare teams in medical settings.

4. Explore Medical Assistant Certification Options

While certification requirements can vary by employer and state, many medical assistants choose to pursue certification to strengthen their credentials. Certification can demonstrate competence, professionalism, and give you an advantage in the workforce.

5. Apply for Pediatric Medical Assistant Jobs

Once education and training are complete, graduates can begin applying for pediatric medical assistant positions in clinics, hospitals, and other healthcare settings. Tailoring your resume to highlight pediatric experience, clinical skills, and strong communication can help you stand out to potential employers.

Potential Environments You Can Work in as a Pediatric Medical Assistant

Some of the environments you can look forward to working in as a pediatric medical assistant include a variety of healthcare settings focused on caring for infants, children, and adolescents. These environments allow pediatric medical assistants to apply their skills in both clinical and patient-facing roles while supporting families throughout their care. Options include:

Is a Pediatric Medical Assistant Career Right for You?

Before beginning your journey, it’s important to take time to reflect on whether this career aligns well with your interests, strengths, and long-term goals. Asking yourself these questions can help you decide if becoming a pediatric medical assistant is the right fit:

• Do I enjoy working with children of different ages, from infants to adolescents?
• Am I comfortable interacting with parents and caregivers on a daily basis?
• Can I remain patient and calm when children are anxious or uncooperative?
• Am I detail-oriented and comfortable following clinical procedures and safety protocols?
• Do I value building long-term relationships with patients and families?

If you answered “yes” to these questions, a career as a pediatric medical assistant could be a rewarding fit for your skills, interests, and goals. 

Start Your Path as a Pediatric Medical Assistant at P.I.T.

If you’re ready to begin your journey in healthcare, the Allied Health – Clinical Medical Assistant associate degree at P.I.T. can help you build the skills needed for a career as a medical assistant. This program prepares students to work alongside physicians and healthcare teams in a variety of clinical settings, including those that serve pediatric patients.

Through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on clinical training, students gain experience in areas such as phlebotomy, EKGs, clinical procedures, patient communication, and electronic health records. In turn, this well-rounded training helps prepare graduates for medical assistant roles in healthcare environments that support children.

We’re also proud to have an affiliation agreement with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. This means that our CMA students can do their hands-on clinical studies at the hospital so that they can hone skills for their future careers.

Get in Touch with Our Team Today

Apply online today to take the next step toward a rewarding career in medical assisting. If you have questions, please get in contact with our admissions team and we’d be happy to assist you on your journey.