Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) (Voucher Included)
Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)
This course will train you to become a critical healthcare team member. Clinical medical assistants combine clinical and procedural knowledge, working across the domain of healthcare facilities to aid in patient care and in-office procedures. They are tasked with working directly with patients and supporting the work of doctors and other healthcare professionals. This 100% online course will prepare you to work as a certified clinical medical assistant (CCMA), designated by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
Become a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Online
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 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) anticipates 16% growth and 117,800 new job opportunities between now and 2031. Clinical medical assistants earn an average annual salary of $37,370.
Course Objectives
- Learn the necessary skills to function as a vital member of the healthcare team in an ambulatory setting
- Understand ethical behavior, therapeutic communication, protecting the privacy of patient information
- Demonstrate the importance of a first impression, maintaining a safe office environment
- Identify medical terminology, and clinical procedures
- Summarize the importance of the revenue cycle, the role of a practice manager, and the undertaking of risk management strategies to achieve medical practice efficiency
- Identify the professional traits that a medical assistant must possess
- Learn the various administrative and clinical job duties of a medical assistant
- Summarize the techniques and best practices for obtaining a medical assisting position
- Prepare to sit for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam through the NHA
Syllabus
Medical Terminology
- Getting Started
- How to Take This Course
- Test-Out Exam 1: Lessons 1–Midterm Exam
- Introduction to Medical Terminology and the Human Body in Health and Disease
- The Musculoskeletal System
- The Cardiovascular System
- The Lymphatic and Immune Systems
- The Respiratory System
- The Digestive System
- The Urinary System
- Midterm
- Test-Out Exam 2: Lessons 8–Final Exam
- The Nervous System
- Special Senses: The Eyes and Ears
- The Integumentary System
- The Endocrine System
- Mental Health
- Male and Female Reproductive Systems
- Diagnostic Procedures, Nuclear Medicine, and Complementary Medicine
- Final Exam
Certified Clinical Medical Assistant
- Medical Assisting Foundations
- Professional Behavior
- Legal and Ethical Issues
- The Art of Communicating
- Telecommunications, Telephone Professionalism, and Telephone Techniques
- Written Communications
- Medical Office Environment
- Patient Scheduling
- Managing Medical Records
- Introduction to Health Insurance
- Medical Coding: An Overview
- Patient Accounts
- Insurance Claims, Patient Billing, and Collections
- Daily Financial Practices
- Managing the Office
- Pharmacology
- Pathophysiology
- Infection Control and Medical Asepsis
- The Chief Complaint and Patient History
- Body Measurements and Vital Signs
- Preparing for Examinations
- The Complete Physical Examination (CPE)
- Specialty Examinations and Procedures
- The Physician's Office Laboratory (POL)
- Specimen Collection and Processing
- Introduction to Phlebotomy
- Diagnostic Testing
- Minor Office Surgeries
- Medication Dosage Calculations
- Administering Medications
- Emergencies in the Medical Office
- First Aid Procedures and Mental Health Issues
- Rehabilitation
- Nutrition and Special Diets
- Certification
- Preparing for Your Career
Requirements
Hardware Requirements:
This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.
Software Requirements:
- PC: Windows 8 or later.
- Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
- Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox is preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
- Microsoft Word Online
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.
Other:
Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.
Instructional Material Requirements:
The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment.
The following digital textbook for the Medical Terminology course is accessed via links in the course lessons:
- Comprehensive Medical Terminology for Health Professions, 1st Edition (eBook)
The following textbooks will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment in the CCMA course:
- Medical Assisting: Administrative & Clinical Competencies, by Michelle Blesi
- Workbook to Accompany Medical Assisting: Administrative & Clinical Competencies, by Michelle Blesi
Please note: You will receive a digital book if the physical book is on backorder.
Prerequisites:
There are no prerequisites to take these courses.
Certification Requirements:
In order to sit for the national certification exam, candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
While you'll learn everything you need to know to pass the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) national certification exam offered by National Healthcareer Association (NHA), you'll still need to ensure that the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant course will meet your state's requirements. Please visit your state's Medical Board site for more information. Students intending to work in Washington state may be required to provide or request an official transcript from the school they are enrolled with to qualify for employment as a Medical Assistant – Certified. Certification exams offered by NHA are only available online to candidates located in the US.
Instructor
Tammy Stanson
Tammy Stanson, RMA(AMT), CMA(AAMA), is a highly experienced and dedicated medical professional possessing over two decades of strong knowledge in medical assistant education, instruction, and practice. With her vast experience in clinical, administrative, and educational settings, Tammy began in 1996 as a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) and has spent her career in family medicine and urgent care.
Throughout her career, Tammy has not only worked as a CMA but also as a medical assisting instructor, demonstrating her commitment to creating a supportive and team-driven environment for students while enabling them to achieve their educational goals.
Tammy is passionate about excellent patient care and is committed to ensuring the next generations of medical assistants are prepared for the ever-changing healthcare industry. With expertise in educational methodology, teaching, and student success, Tammy is well-equipped to guide students through their Medical Assisting program and prepare them for successful careers.
Nancy Smith
Nancy Smith has over 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry. Her clinical experience includes working as a medical assistant for a network of rural health clinics, and as a medical coder, insurance claims specialist, and medical records auditor. She worked as a medical office manager for ten years, where she recruited and trained all medical assistants. Nancy holds a bachelor's degree in vocational education and has developed and taught medical assistant programs.
Hilary Khouri
Hilary Khouri has ten years of experience in the medical field. After college, she began her medical career working in the front office of a group practice handling daily administrative tasks. Her medical experience also includes working at a healthcare consulting firm, where she reviewed electronic health records for completeness and educated providers on documentation improvement in addition to performing risk adjustment coding. She holds a bachelor's in fashion merchandising from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and is a Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) through the University of Alabama.
Medical Terminology Instructors
Our medical terminology course section is taught by multiple experienced instructors. See here for a full list of these instructors.
FAQs
How much does a certified clinical medical assistant make?
Clinical medical assistants can make an above-average salary and enjoy a rewarding medical career. Based on data from Indeed.com, the average salary for a certified medical assistant is $43,464 per year in the U.S. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also states that the job market for medical assistants will grow 16% through 2031, which is much faster than the average job.
What is a medical assistant?
According to the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Medical assistants are critical members of the healthcare team and can be found in a variety of medical settings. As a Medical Assistant, you are often the first and last person a patient interacts with, making a lasting impact on the patient's experience. Medical Assistants are flexible, performing a variety of both clinical and administrative tasks.
What do medical assistants do?
You will be responsible for taking the medical histories and recording patients' vital signs. Exact duties will vary by location, healthcare specialty, and practice size, but you will also likely complete clerical and administrative tasks within physician's offices, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. You will also need to understand how and what information can be shared and adhere to confidentiality laws, like HIPAA, in patient treatment.
Duties can include administrative and clinical tasks such as the following:
- Taking medical histories
- Explaining treatment procedures to patients
- Preparing patients for examinations
- Assisting the physician during examinations
- Collecting and preparing laboratory specimens
- Performing basic laboratory tests
- Instructing patients about medication and special diets
- Preparing and administering medications, including by intramuscular, intradermal, and subcutaneous injections—including vaccinations/immunizations, as directed by a physician or other licensed provider (e.g., a nurse practitioner or physician assistant)
- Transmitting prescription refills as directed
- Phlebotomy
- Taking electrocardiograms
- Wound care and changing dressings
- Using computer applications
- Answering telephones
- Welcoming patients
- Updating and filing patient medical records
- Coding and filling out insurance forms
- Scheduling appointments
- Arranging for hospital admissions and laboratory services
- Handling correspondence, billing, and bookkeeping
Disclaimer: To qualify for the clinical experience application process, students must successfully complete the online course and ensure their account balances are current (at a minimum). It is important to note that ed2go cannot guarantee placement at any clinical site, and students must take full responsibility for fulfilling their clinical requirements. However, our affiliated partnerships can increase the likelihood of finding a site that matches student needs. Students can begin researching the steps of the application process two weeks before completing courses.
How long does it take to become a medical assistant?
Although the exact amount of time can vary, it typically takes nine months to two years to become a medical assistant, depending upon the program and time you have to commit. For example, this course allows you up to 12 months of access to complete the required training.
Are clinical medical assistants in high demand?
The demand for medical assistants is high, making it an excellent time for students to begin their career training. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that demand will increase by 18% over the next ten years for this profession, much faster than the average for all occupations in the U.S.
What is the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) Exam?
The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) is a national certification exam offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), the largest allied health certification organization in the U.S., with over one million certifications awarded over more than 30 years. This exam serves to validate the skills of medical assistants and demonstrates their dedication to the profession. According to the 2020 Industry Outlook produced by the NHA, 89% of employers require or encourage certification for medical assistants, and 63% increase pay when certification is obtained. This course includes a voucher for the cost of the CCMA certification exam at no additional cost to you.
What are the system requirements for the online certification exam proctoring?
System requirements for NHA certification exam proctoring are:
- Operating system supported: Windows 7 and later; 32bit (x86) and 64bit (x64); macOS and later
- Browsers supported: PSI Secure Lock-Down Browser
- Browser settings: The browser must accept third-party cookies for the duration of the exam ONLY
- Webcam/microphone: Minimum VGA 640 x 480 resolution, enabled built-in or external microphone
- Bandwidth: Minimum 400 kb/s download and upload
- Hardware requirements: 2GB RAM Memory; 1 GB free disk space, minimum 1368x768 screen resolution
You can check the compatibility of your device at: https://home.psiexams.com/static/#/bcheck
Does this course prepare you for a certification?
Yes. After successfully completing the course, you will be able to take the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) national certification exam offered by National Healthcareer Association (NHA). The registration fee for the exam is included with this course.
Can I test-out of medical terminology content if I have previous knowledge of medical terminology?
Yes. This course includes two, optional, Test-Out Exam features that will allow you to test out of content and graded assessments if your score demonstrates the level of mastery required (80%). It does not count toward your overall score in this course if you do not achieve the minimum score required for mastery. Please note: Third party funded students may not be eligible.
When can I start this course?
This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course whenever you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.
How long does it take to complete this course?
After you register, you will receive 12 months to complete the course. The time allotted for completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours.
What if I don't have enough time to complete the course within the time frame provided?
The time allotted for course completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours. However, if you are unable to complete the course, contact the student advising team to see what options you may have available to work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee may be charged.
What kind of support will I receive?
Our courses are designed to accommodate various learning preferences. Depending on the course structure, you may get different forms of support. Self-paced courses are designed to be user-friendly and independent, minimizing the need for external support. In courses with instructors, our direct platform support feature includes opportunities for questions, discussions, and remediation, with email and phone support available for select courses. Our student advising team is available to guide you on program requirements and administrative requests, but they do not provide assistance with course content. Our goal is to provide you with the necessary support for success, whether it's through self-paced exploration, direct communication, or guidance from our advising team.
What happens when I complete the course?
Upon successfully passing the final exam, you will be awarded a certificate of completion from the school or organization that you registered through.
Am I guaranteed a job?
ed2go courses will help you gain the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. However, you should always research the job market in your area before enrolling.
Can I get financial assistance?
ed2go courses are non-credit, so they do not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA, and Pell Grant. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards may provide funding to take our courses. Additionally, you may qualify for financial assistance if you meet certain requirements. Learn more about financial assistance.
How can I get more information about this course?
If you have questions that are not answered on our website, representatives are available via LIVE chat. You can also call us at 1-877-221-5151 during regular business hours to have your questions promptly answered. If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please send us a question using the "Contact Us."