Program Overview

The mission of the Clinical Medical Assistant (CMA) program is to prepare students to function as professionals in multiple healthcare settings. Medical assistants with a clinical background can perform various clinical tasks including assisting with the administration of medications and with minor procedures, performing an electrocardiogram (EKG), obtaining laboratory specimens for testing, educating patients, and other related tasks.

Job opportunities are prevalent with physician’s office, clinics, chiropractic offices, hospitals, and outpatient facilities.

This four-month evening program consists of 140 hours of classroom instruction.

Individualized clinical practice, up to 160 hours, follows the classroom instruction and is coordinated by Condensed Curriculum International (CCI).

Dates and Meeting Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays, August 31–December 7, 2021 (no class held on November 25), from 6:00–9:30 p.m. and Saturdays, September 11, 25, October 9, 23, November 6, and 20, from 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Meeting Location: Jordan Room in the Knowledge Center Building in Knowledge Park, Erie, PA 16510

Price: $2,799

Refund Policy: 100% refund before August 23 payment due date; 75% refund between payment due date and course start date; no refund after course start date

CMA Program Overview

The purpose of the Clinical Medical Assistant program is to prepare students to assist physicians by performing functions related to the clinical aspects of a medical office. This course covers the following key areas and topics:

  • Clinical responsibilities of the medical office—assisting the physician with patient related care
  • Preparing patients for examination and treatment, routine procedures, and diagnostic testing
  • HIPAA, patient confidentiality, legal aspects of healthcare, and regulatory patient care issues
  • Recording and taking of vital signs, blood pressures, and other patient care items related to the physician office visit
  • Review and administration of medications, allergies, and other pharmacology-related items
  • Laboratory procedures, phlebotomy, and the proper techniques required to collect specimens for laboratory analysis
  • Cardiology and the proper placement of leads when taking a 12 lead EKG

Note: Students who complete this comprehensive course would be prepared to sit for the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) national certification examination.

Education Information

  • Clinical Medical Assistant student should have or be pursuing a high school diploma or GED
  • Students are required to complete 140 hours of classroom instruction
  • Students have the option to complete up to 160 hours of clinical practice under the coordinator of Condensed Curriculum International (CCI)
  • Clinical practicum begins immediately after coursework is completed. Students will work with the clinical coordinator to create an individualized experience.
  • In addition to facilitating entry-level clinical medical assisting-related positions, this course is ideal for students interested in pursuing a future formal Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), Nursing (LNP), or a Nursing (RN) program.

Course Topics

The following detailed topics are covered throughout the Clinical Medical Assistant program:

  • Responsibilities of the clinical medical assistant and introduction to healthcare facilities
  • Medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, circulation of the heart and blood vessels
  • Care and safety of patients, medical and legal aspects of care, confidentiality and HIPAA laws
  • Effective verbal and non-verbal communication, interpersonal skills and human behavior
  • Aseptic techniques, infection prevention, universal precautions, proper use and disposal of biohazards and sharps
  • Documenting patient medical histories, updating patient medical files, vital signs and documentation
  • Applying sterile dressings, preparing patients for x-rays, performing various injections, administering oral medications, instructing patients on the proper usage of medications
  • Phlebotomy, venipunctures and capillary sampling, collecting specimens and point of care testing
  • Performing 12 leads EKGs and EKG strip analysis (P,Q,R,S,T wave form)

Register for the CMA Program

 

Please contact Michelle Hartmann at [email protected] with questions.

Many U.S. states and territories require professional licensure/certification to be employed. If you plan to pursue employment in a licensed profession after completing this program, please visit the Professional Licensure/Certification Disclosures by State interactive map.