You want a career in healthcare that lets you work directly with patients. However, you are not interested in spending the next four to eight years in school. You want a career-focused, hands-on program to help you gain experience as you study and train for your new role.
MMC’s Medical Clinical Assistant program might be the right program for you.
Our Medical Clinical Assistant program aims for students to become entry-level, industry ready applicants upon completion. Students in our program are exposed to the skills and tasks clinical medical assistants typically perform in the workplace.
Clinical medical assisting is ideal for entry-level professionals looking to experience the clinical side of healthcare. As a clinical medical assistant (CMA), you may support staff and patients before, during, and after procedures. Although most of your time may be spent working directly with patients, you may be given administrative tasks as well.
The Medical Assistant Umbrella
Medical assistants (MA) can be split into three main types:
- Clinical Medical Assistant (CMA) or Medical Clinical Assistant (MCA)
- Administrative Medical Assistant (AMA)
- Registered or Certified Medical Assistant (RMA or CMA)
A clinical medical assistant is a medical assistant who specializes in clinical duties. They are hands-on and work alongside or under direct instruction from physicians, physician’s assistants (PAs), or registered nurses (RNs). A clinical medical assistant’s primary focus is to provide clinical support.
CMAs may assist physicians during clinical procedures, dispose of contaminated materials and assist with basic lab tests. While CMAs are also trained to handle administrative tasks, their specialties are clinical and procedural tasks.
Administrative medical assistants can be responsible for recording general patient information and sharing this information with the doctor. They may schedule appointments, maintain patient records, answer phones, greet patients, and assist with billing and bookkeeping. While AMAs interact with patients in the initial phase of their visit, they typically specialize in administrative tasks.
What is a Clinical Medical Assistant?
A clinical medical assistant acts as the bridge between patients and physicians. They provide support and act under the direct supervision of a physician, PA, or RN. CMAs can review patient histories, take vital signs and explain procedures, medications, and instructions to patients.
CMAs are also trained to perform administrative tasks and may be asked to schedule appointments or assist with other front-office tasks.
Clinical Medical Assistant Responsibilities
A CMA’s full scope of responsibilities may vary depending on their medical specialty and the state in which they work.
Regardless of practice, CMAs may explain medical terminology, prescriptions and processes to patients in a professional yet easily understood manner. They may also be responsible for handling and safely disposing of human bodily fluids. As such, CMAs should have a strong understanding of anatomy, pathology, pharmacology, infection control, and safety precautions.
Depending on the practice, a CMA may be asked to assist with administrative tasks. Understanding medical coding and how to navigate computer applications in a clinical setting may prove useful.
Generally, CMAs are expected to:
- Assist physicians, PAs, and RNs during exams
- Prepare and collect lab specimens such as blood, urine, saliva etc.
- Perform basic lab tests
- Change sutures or dressings
- Sterilize medical equipment
- Update patient records
Educate patients on treatment procedures, medications, dietary restrictions, physician’s instructions, and more.
While CMAs assist Physicians, PAs and RNs during exams, they cannot treat or examine patients on their own. CMAs are also not qualified to diagnose patients.
Why Consider a Career in Clinical Medical Assisting?
Entry-level CMAs can work in a variety of specialties and locations. As a CMA, you could work for a specialty clinic such as dermatology, gynecology or even in family medicine. You could work in a hospital, rehabilitation center, urgent care, or a physician’s office.
CMAs work alongside physicians as they help guide patients through procedures. As a CMA, you help your patients better understand their health, how to maintain it, and the importance of preventative measures.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts this field will increase by 16% from 2021-31.
You can complete your CMA training in 13 to 15 months with Miller-Motte College’s Medical Clinical Assistant diploma program. A certificate option for our Medical Clinical Assistant program is also available. It can be completed in 13 months through our Augusta, Columbus, and Macon campuses.
Why Choose MMC’s Medical Clinical Assistant Program
Our Medical Clinical Assistant program shows students how to prepare patients for exams and maintain sanitary workspaces. Students are exposed to hands-on training through our Clinical Specialties and Clinical Laboratory courses. This training is to be applied during an externship to assist students in gaining real-world, workplace experience.
Students will also practice performing laboratory procedures such as phlebotomy, urinalysis and microscopic examinations. Our program stresses the importance of infection control, safety, HIPAA, and risk management. We aim to create well-rounded, responsible professionals who can positively contribute to the healthcare field.
We expose our students to the uses and effects of medication on the human body. This exposure may prove useful to students during their externship.
We added a few administrative skills-based courses to our program to better prepare students for administrative tasks in office settings. We show our students how to use Electronic Health Records (EHR) and how to navigate office systems in clinical settings.
Miller-Motte offers Medical Clinical Assisting diploma and certificate programs which can be completed in 13 to 15 months. Our Medical Clinical Assistant certificate program can be completed in 13 months through the following campuses:
- Augusta, GA
- Columbus, GA
- Macon, GA
We offer a 13-month diploma program through our Chattanooga, TN and Tulsa, OK campuses. Our 15-month diploma program is offered through the following campuses:
- Charleston, SC
- Conway, SC
- Fayetteville, NC
- Jacksonville, NC
- Raleigh, NC
- Wilmington, NC
Our program aims to prepare students for entry-level roles as clinical medical assistants. Miller-Motte cannot guarantee employment. Visit out our Medical Clinical Assisting program page for more details.
In Summary
MMC’s Medical Clinical Assistant program is for those looking to transition to the clinical side of healthcare. Our training is quick, thorough, and career-focused with the hopes of preparing students for their new career. We expose students to medical terminology, procedures, safety protocols, and more.
Students in our program have the opportunity to apply their knowledge through hands-on training and an externship. The content covered in our program is designed to help streamline the transition from student to entry-level professional.
Complete our program and start applying for jobs in your new field in as little as 13 to 15 months. Don’t put your future on hold any longer.
Train to become an integral part of the healthcare field with Miller-Motte College’s Medical Clinical Assistant program. You can request more information by completing this form or calling us at (800) 705-9182.
Information within this blog is for general information purposes only. Miller-Motte does not assume or guarantee certification/licensures, specific job/career positions, income earning potential or salary expectations based on the programs offered at Miller-Motte. Career and program information statements in this blog do not guarantee that programs or other information mentioned are offered at Miller-Motte.
