Program Overview

Southern Illinois University

The university offers a range of programs, including a Clinical Medical Assistant course.

Clinical Medical Assistant

This 100% online course prepares students to work as a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA), designated by the National Healthcare Career Association (NHA).

Registration and Enrollment

The course is available for enrollment at any time.

Prepare for the CCMA Exam

The course combines clinical and procedural knowledge, working across the domain of health care facilities to aid inpatient treatments and clinical operations.

Job Outlook for Certified Clinical Medical Assistants

The healthcare field offers one of the leading areas of opportunities for career growth today. Within healthcare, medical assistants are among the most in-demand professionals. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates job opportunities for medical assistants will grow by 23% overall by 2028.

About Our Program

The program has several objectives, including:

• Prepare to take and earn the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam.
• Learn the skills necessary to function as a member of the healthcare team in an ambulatory setting.
• Know the standards for ethical behavior, therapeutic communication, protecting the privacy of patient information.
• Understand the importance of a first impression and a safe office environment.
• Summarize the HIPAA Privacy Rule and HIPAA Security Rule.
• Demonstrate basic medical terminology knowledge.
• Discuss government and private insurances.
• Identify the functions of the major body systems.
• Demonstrate how to write a chief complaint and obtain a patient history.
• Discuss the importance of medical and surgical asepsis.
• Explain the information contained in different types of medical records.
• Identify the three methods used to perform venipuncture.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites to take this course.

Instructor

The instructor, Nancy Smith, has over 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry.

Our Curriculum

The curriculum includes:

Medical Terminology

• Introduction to Medical Terminology
• The Musculoskeletal System
• The Cardiovascular System
• The Lymphatic and Immune Systems
• The Respiratory System
• The Digestive System
• The Urinary System
• The Nervous System
• The Special Senses, Eyes, and Ears
• The Integumentary System
• The Endocrine System
• The Reproductive System
• Diagnostic Procedures, Nuclear Medicine, and Pharmacology

Certified Clinical Medical Assistant

• Becoming a Medical Assistant
• Managing Stress and Improving Communication
• Law, Ethics, and Healthcare
• Improving Your Medical Office
• Computers in the Ambulatory Care Setting
• Telecommunications and Patient Scheduling
• Enhancing the Patient Experience
• Managing Medical Records
• Written Communication
• Working with Medical Documents
• Medical Billing and Overview Coding: An Overview
• Daily Financial Practices
• The Administrative Medical Assistant as Office Manager
• Major Body Systems
• Pathophysiology
• Pharmacology
• Nutrition and Special Diets
• The Chief Complaint and Patient History
• Recording Vital Signs
• The Physical Examination
• Specialty Exams and Procedures
• Medical Asepsis and Infection Control
• Surgical Asepsis and Sterilization Techniques
• Surgical Instruments
• Assisting with Minor Office Surgeries
• Introduction to the Medical Laboratory
• Basic Microbiology
• Introduction to Phlebotomy
• Basic Hematology
• Electrocardiogram
• Administering Noninjectable Medications
• Basic Guidelines for Administration of Injections
• Diagnostic Imaging
• Rehabilitation and Treatment Modalities
• First Aid Techniques
• Emergencies in the Medical Office

Certified Clinical Medical Assistant FAQs

What does a certified clinical medical assistant (CCMA) job involve?

According to NHA, certified clinical medical assistants serve in a variety of functions that combine office operations and patient procedures.

Are CCMAs the same as CNAs?

While CCMAs may serve in a variety of roles in the healthcare setting, including office processes, clinical procedures, and patient management, Certified Nurses Assistants (CNAs) work full-time with patients and may help with basic care activities.

Do clinical medical assistants need certification?

The healthcare environment operates on the basis of professionalism, precision, and dedication to patient welfare. Medical assistant certification may be required for many jobs.

In what facilities do CCMAs work?

CCMAs commonly work in hospitals, physicians' offices, outpatient clinics, and other healthcare facilities, according to the BLS.