• 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

• 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.

• About 114,600 openings for medical assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Clinical medical assistants are skilled multitaskers who help maximize the healthcare team's productivity. Medical assistants enable a healthcare facility to operate more efficiently, which increases revenue and provides a positive experience for patients. For physicians, clinical medical assistants help manage the increasing complexities of practice management and patient care. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job market for medical assistants will grow 16% through 2031, which is much faster than the average job.

In this online medical assistant certification course, you will learn a broad range of skills that make medical assistants versatile and valuable, including medical terminology, medical law and ethics, HIPAA rules, scheduling systems, and the importance of certified clinical medical assistants as healthcare team members. You will also be prepared to perform duties from the front office to the back office. These duties include measuring vital signs, assisting with exams, performing laboratory testing, maintaining equipment and supplies, administering injections, obtaining blood specimens, scheduling appointments, registering patients, and answering and returning phone calls.

You will also learn medical terms and their application as part of your medical assistant training. You will start by learning the origins of medical words and how to recognize prefixes and suffixes used in medical terminology. Then you will learn about the body as a whole and how to differentiate cells, tissues, organs, systems, and cavities. Next, you will learn to define and describe the function of each system of the human body. This knowledge will help you take the next step in your medical career or education.

The online medical assistant certification course also includes the opportunity to become CPR certified and participate in an unpaid clinical experience. Because employers recognize that certified medical assistants deliver greater value, completing the course will help you to be well-prepared to find your place in this rewarding healthcare career. You will also be able to sit for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

This CCMA certification course includes a voucher covering the certification exam fee. However, please research your state's requirements by visiting your state's medical board site before enrolling to ensure this course is the right fit for you. 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.

The course also includes an opportunity to participate in a clinical experience.

Disclaimer: To qualify for the clinical experience application process, students must successfully complete the online course and have account balances up to date (at a minimum). Going through the clinical experience application process does not guarantee a placement. However, affiliated partnerships increase the likelihood of finding a site that matches student needs. COVID-19 may be affecting the capacity of availability in your area. Students can begin researching the steps of the application process two weeks prior to completing their courses. Please note that students in Washington state will be required to participate in a 180-hour clinical experience to qualify for employment as a Medical Assistant – Certified.

What you will learn

• You will learn the necessary skills to function as a vital member of the healthcare team in an ambulatory setting

• The course will emphasize ethical behavior, therapeutic communication, protecting the privacy of patient information, the importance of a first impression, maintaining a safe office environment, medical terminology, and clinical procedures.

• Identify the professional traits that a medical assistant must possess

• Discuss the various administrative and clinical job duties of a medical assistant

• Recognize the importance of professional certification

How you will benefit

• Summarize the HIPAA Privacy Rule and HIPAA Security Rule

• Demonstrate basic medical terminology knowledge

• Discuss government and private insurance

• 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

• Professionalism represents the types of behavior that demonstrate your moral, ethical, and respectful attributes when interacting with patients and coworkers

• The medical assistant has a critical role in the ambulatory care setting, performing both administrative and clinical tasks under the direction of the provider

• An increasing number of employers now require that their medical assistants be certified. Certification shows that the medical assistant has met certain educational requirements and has committed to continuing their education going forward

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 American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), medical assistants, otherwise known as clinical medical assistants, typically work alongside physicians in outpatient or ambulatory care facilities, such as medical offices and clinics. As a clinical medical assistant, you will interact directly with patients daily. You will likely be the first person a patient encounters after passing reception and the last person they see before exiting the facility. It will be your job to put them at ease, assure them they will be properly cared for, and leave them with a good impression. To be successful in this job, you will need to learn Electronic Health Record (EHR) software.

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 applications process, students must successfully complete the online course content and have account balances up to date (at a minimum). Going through the clinical experience application process does not guarantee a placement. COVID may be affecting the clinical experience process or site availability in your area. Students can begin researching the steps of the application process 2 weeks prior to 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 me 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.

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.

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.

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 textbooks will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment:

• Merriam-Webster's Medical Desk Dictionary

• Medical Assisting: Administrative & Clinical Competencies, by Michelle Blesi

• Workbook to Accompany Medical Assisting: Administrative & Clinical Competencies, by Michelle Blesi

The following digital textbooks for the course are accessed via links in the lessons:

• Medical Terminology for Health Professions (eBook)

Please note: You will receive a digital book if the physical book is on backorder.

1. Medical Terminology

   1. Introduction to Medical Terminology

   2. The Musculoskeletal System

   3. The Cardiovascular System

   4. The Lymphatic and Immune Systems

   5. The Respiratory System

   6. The Digestive System

   7. The Urinary System

   8. The Nervous System

   9. The Special Senses The Eyes and Ears

   10. The Integumentary System

   11. The Endocrine System

   12. The Reproductive System

   13. Diagnostic Procedures, Nuclear Medicine, Pharmacology
       

2. Certified Clinical Medical Assistant

   1. Medical Assisting Foundations

   2. Professional Behavior

   3. Legal and Ethical Issues

   4. The Art of Communicating

   5. Telecommunications, Telephone Professionalism, and Telephone Techniques

   6. Written Communications

   7. Medical Office Environment

   8. Patient Scheduling

   9. Managing Medical Records

   10. Introduction to Health Insurance

   11. Medical Coding: An Overview

   12. Patient Accounts

   13. Insurance Claims, Patient Billing, and Collections

   14. Daily Financial Practices

   15. Managing the Office

   16. Pharmacology

   17. Pathophysiology

   18. Infection Control and Medical Asepsis

   19. The Chief Complaint and Patient History

   20. Body Measurements and Vital Signs

   21. Preparing for Examinations

   22. The Complete Physical Examination (CPE)

   23. Specialty Examinations and Procedures

   24. The Physician's Office Laboratory (POL)

   25. Specimen Collection and Processing

   26. Introduction to Phlebotomy

   27. Diagnostic Testing

   28. Minor Office Surgeries

   29. Medication Dosage Calculations

   30. Administering Medications

   31. Emergencies in the Medical Office

   32. First Aid Procedures and Mental Health Issues

   33. Rehabilitation

   34. Nutrition and Special Diets

   35. Certification

   36. Preparing for Your Career