Assist Doctors and Nurses with Clinical Care

CMAs play a vital role in the healthcare system, providing direct care to patients and helping to ensure that they receive the best possible treatment.

Clinical medical assistants help doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers in medical offices, hospitals, and clinics. They prepare patients for their exams and treatment, take vitals (such as pulse and blood pressure), collect samples (such as urine and blood), and complete certain tests. Clinical medical assistants also perform venipunctures (blood draw) and perform electrocardiograms (a type of heart test). They know about the regulations for handling common drugs.

Working in clinical care is an in-demand job where compassion, caring, and attention to detail are critical.

8
Months to Complete
$3,850
Course Fee
$$$
Funding Options Available

Prepare to directly assist physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals in providing clinical care. Learn how to prepare patients for examination and treatment, take vitals, collect specimens, perform venipuncture and complete electrocardiograms. Review the use and handling of common drugs and the regulations governing them.

This program will provide you with the training needed to pass the National Health Career Association Certified Clinical Medical Assistant exam. The program takes 15 weeks to complete, and includes a 100-hour clinical externship and a CPR certification course. Cohorts begin in:

  • October in Wye Mills, with classes meeting Monday-Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings.
  • March in Cambridge, with classes meeting Tuesday-Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings.

 

Students must meet eligibility criteria with drug screen and background check. Prior approval from program coordinator required to register. Please review all the steps and prerequisites as they are outlined below.

Students will register for all courses in the program at one time.

Course Sequence:

CLINICAL MEDICAL ASSISTANT I
Part 1 of the series. Learn to function as a team member in a medical office as a Clinical Medical Assistant. Topics include: professionalism, communication, laws and ethics, medical records, scheduling, medical coding and billing. This course includes an introduction to clinical procedures including recording and taking vitals, laboratory procedures, medication administration, phlebotomy, and EKG placement.

CLINICAL MEDICAL ASSISTANT II
The second course in the series builds on the foundational knowledge and skills learned in Part 1. Focus will be on the clinical responsibilities of the medical office, assisting the physician, preparing patients for examination and treatment, routine laboratory procedures, HIPAA and patient confidentiality, recording and taking vital signs, administration of medications, phlebotomy, and EKG placement. After successful completion of the course, students will sit for the National Healthcareer Association Certified Clinical Medical Assistant exam.

CLINICAL MEDICAL ASSISTANT EXTERNSHIP
This 100-hour course serves as the clinical externship for the Clinical Medical Assistant Program. To be eligible for this course, students must have successfully completed CMA I, CMA II and passed the National Healthcareer Association Certified Clinical Medical Assistant exam.

BLS HEALTHCARE PROVIDER
American Heart Association BLS Healthcare Provider CPR certification is included for all Clinical Medical Assistant students. The course is taught according to the guidelines of the American Heart Association.

This program begins in October in Wye Mills and February in Cambridge. 

Classes generally meet weekday evenings and Saturday mornings.

How to Enroll

Complete CMA Program Application

Submit your program application. Download and print the application below. Once completed, mail the application, and all required documentation, to Chesapeake College at:

Noncredit Health Professions
Chesapeake College
P.O. Box 8
Wye Mills, MD 21679

or fax to: (410) 827-5817

Complete Program Application
Complete Placement Testing

Email Admissions to request a Placement Testing Slip for Accuplacer: Reading Comprehension and Artithmetic. Come to the Chesapeake College Testing Center to take the test. Minimum scores of 230 (reading comprehension) and 240 (artithmetic) are required to enroll in this program. To see if you qualify for an exemption, and find out more about the Accuplacer test, visit the webpage below.

Accuplacer Placement Testing
Secure Funding

Payment is due at the time of registration, so we recommend that students who are not able to self-pay the course fees up front ($3,850) seek scholarship or grant funding prior to beginning the application process outlined below.

Explore Scholarship Options
Complete CMA Prep Course

Upon completion of the above courses, email proof of completion to [email protected] to enroll in the required CMA Prep course. Please note: students are required to pass a drug screen and background check as part of the CMA Prep course.

Email to Register for CMA Prep
Complete Prerequisite Courses

Students should complete the following 6-week courses, each 100% online:

Once completed, submit completion certificates to [email protected] to register for the next prerequisite.

Approval to Enroll

Once you’ve completed the steps above, we’ll send you the appropriate registration form to get started.

Students will register for all program courses at the same time.

Complete Health Exam
Visit your doctor for a health examination and completion of a Health Examination Record.
Download & Print
Pay & Prep
Payment for this course is due at the time of registration. Explore Ways to Pay below for additional information. Deferred tuition payment plans are available to students whose bills exceed $500. Before the semester begins, buy your textbooks and other needed supplies, check out the location of your courses, and get ready for your first day of class. 

Note you have only secured a seat in the class when you have registered and paid for the program.

equipped for the FUTURE

WAYS TO PAY

Convenient payment options for noncredit students.

At Chesapeake College, we offer several payment options to help you manage your tuition and fees in a way that best suits your financial situation. Whether you’re paying upfront, setting up a payment plan, or utilizing employer sponsorship, we’ve got you covered.

Apply for Scholarships

This program qualifies for an assortment of institutional scholarships, Workforce Investment Board funding, and Maryland Promise Scholarships, among others. Before registering for your course, make sure you have allowed ample time to apply for scholarships at the link below. 

A clinical medical assistant certificate can help open the door to your next career. Scroll through the options here to explore Clinical Medical Assistant careers, including projected growth in our five-county service area, and average salary information.

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