0001 - Clinical Medical Assistant

Course Description

The Clinical Medical Assistant certification program from Commonwealth University will consist of 140 hours of face-to-face instruction including lectures, lab activities and demonstrations.  The Clinical Medical Assistant program is intended for students who want to prepare for an exciting, challenging and rewarding career in healthcare. This program will train students to assist physicians by performing functions related to the clinical responsibilities of a medical office. Instruction includes among other things preparing patients for examination and treatment, routine laboratory procedures, diagnostic testing, technical aspects of phlebotomy and the cardiac life cycle.

Students will review important topics including phlebotomy, pharmacology, the proper use and administration of medications, taking and documenting vital signs, cardiology including proper lead placements, a professional workplace behavior, ethics and the legal aspects of healthcare.

Non-credit training programs are designed by a team of professionals from each respective field, providing you with effective face-to-face and web-based learning programs. Instructors/course mentors are actively involved in your learning experience, responding to any questions or concerns, as well as encouraging and motivating you to succeed. The training programs offered through Workforce Development are not part of academic degree programs.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Understand the roles and responsibilities of a Clinical Medical Assistant.
• Demonstrate effective communication and interpersonal skills with patients, families, and healthcare team members.
• Maintain patient confidentiality and adhere to HIPAA regulations.
• Understand and apply principles of medical asepsis and infection control.
• Obtain and document patient vital signs accurately.
• Prepare patients for examinations and procedures.
• Assist healthcare providers with various clinical procedures.
• Collect and process laboratory specimens according to established protocols.
• Perform basic first aid and CPR (if included in the specific course).
• Understand basic pharmacology and medication administration routes.
• Maintain accurate and organized medical records, both paper and electronic.
• Schedule appointments, manage patient flow, and perform other administrative tasks.
• Understand basic anatomy and physiology relevant to clinical tasks.
• Recognize and respond appropriately to emergency situations.
• Demonstrate professional conduct and ethical behavior in the healthcare setting.
• Prepare for and successfully pass the NHA CCMA certification examination.

The course will cover the following key areas:

• Introduction to the Clinical Medical Assistant Profession
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills
• Medical Terminology
• Anatomy and Physiology
• Infection Control and Asepsis
• Patient Intake and Assessment
• Preparing for Examinations and Procedures
• Assisting with Clinical Procedures
• Specimen Collection and Processing
• Basic Pharmacology
• Emergency Preparedness and Basic First Aid
• Medical Office Administration
• Medical Law and Ethics
• Electrocardiography (ECG/EKG)
• Phlebotomy Basics 
• Preparation for the NHA CCMA Certification Exam

National Certification:  Upon successful completion of this course, students will be prepared to sit for the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) certification exam.  Achieving the CCMA credential demonstrates competency in clinical medical assisting and enhances career opportunities. 

Clinical Externship: This program includes an optional 160-hour clinical externship opportunity. To be eligible for the clinical, students must successfully complete the 140-hour program, submit to a thorough background check, drug screening and meet other requirements.

Non-credit training programs are designed by a team of professionals from each respective field, providing you with effective face-to-face and web-based learning programs. Instructors/course mentors are actively involved in your learning experience, responding to any questions or concerns, as well as encouraging and motivating you to succeed. The training programs offered through Workforce Development are not part of academic degree programs.

Credit for Prior Learning: This course equates to 3 credits (HLSC 199) in health science at Commonwealth University, with the option for additional credits with documentation of successful completion of an externship.