Course Code: CSU-CM 02

Course Duration: 6 months

Contact Hours: 780

Tuition: $3950

This program prepares students to assist physicians by performing functions related to the clinical aspects of a medical office. Instruction includes preparing patients for examination and treatment, routine laboratory procedures, pharmacology, taking and documenting vital signs, technical aspects of phlebotomy, the 12-lead EKG and the cardiac life cycle.

The purpose of the Clinical Medical Assisting program is to prepare students to assist physicians by performing functions related to the clinical aspects of a medical office. This course covers the following key areas and topics:

  • Clinical responsibilities of the medical office - assisting the physician with patient related care
  • Preparing patients for examination and treatment, routine procedures and diagnostic testing
  • HIPAA, patient confidentiality, legal aspects of healthcare and regulatory patient care issues
  • Recording and taking of vital signs, blood pressure, and other patient care items related to the physician office visit
  • Review and administration of medications, allergies & other pharmacology related items
  • Laboratory procedures, phlebotomy and the proper techniques required to collect specimens for laboratory analysis
  • Cardiology and the proper placement of leads when taking a 12 lead EKG

Education and National Certifications

  • Students should have or be pursuing a high school diploma or GED.
  • There are no state approval and/or state requirements associated with this program.
  • There are several National Certification exams that are available to students who successfully complete this program:
    • National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Clinical Medical assistant (CCMA) Exam
    • American Society of Phlebotomy Technician (ASPT) PhlebotomyTechnician (CPT) Exam
    • National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Phlebotomy Technician(CPT) Exam
    • National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified EKG Technician (CET)exam
  • In addition to facilitating entry-level clinical medical assisting related positions, this course is ideal for students interested in pursuing a future formal Certified Medical assistant (CMA), Nursing (LPN) or a Nursing (RN) program.

Clinical Medical Assisting Detailed Course Information:

  • Responsibilities of the clinical medical assistant and introduction to healthcare facilities
  • Medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, circulation of the heart and blood vessels
  • Care & safety of patients, medical & legal aspects of care, confidentiality and HIPAA
  • Effective verbal and non-verbal communication, interpersonal skills and human behavior
  • Aseptic techniques, infection prevention, universal precautions, proper use and disposal of biohazards and sharps
  • Documenting patient medical histories, updating patient medical files, vital signs and documentation
  • Applying sterile dressings, preparing patients for x-rays, performing various injections,administering oral medications, instructing patients on the proper usage of medications
  • Phlebotomy, venipunctures and capillary sampling, collecting specimens and point of care testing
  • Performing 12 lead EKGs and EKG strip analysis (P,Q,R,S,T wave form)
  • Role of the EKG technician
  • Function of the EKG department in a variety of settings (hospital, clinic, office, mobile service)
  • Medical terminology related to electrocardiography
  • Care and safety of patients including medical and legal aspects of patient care
  • Anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system
  • Electrophysiology, the conduction system of the heart, and the cardiac cycle
  • Circulation of blood through the heart and vessels
  • Lead placement for 12-lead electrocardiography
  • Basic EKG interpretation of normal rhythms and arrhythmias
  • EKG troubleshooting including recognizing artifacts
  • Waves and measurements
  • EKG strip analysis (P,Q,R,S,T wave-form interpretation)
  • Identification of rhythms using the 12-lead EKG
  • Pacemakers
  • Holter monitoring and the echocardiogram
  • The history of Phlebotomy and the roles and responsibilities of a Phlebotomy Technician
  • Laboratory operations (e.g. safety, quality control,), quality assurance , laboratory law,ethics and regulatory issues
  • Anatomy and physiology of the circulatory system and anatomy of the hand, leg & foot –including arteries and veins
  • Universal precautions – safety protocols, infection control and medical asepsis
  • Specimen collection, processing, handling, documentation and transportation
  • Venipuntcures and skin puncture practice, syringe practice, heel puncture, protocol,syringe draws, etc.

National Certification

Upon successful completion of this Columbia Southern University Clinical Medical Assistant program, students would be eligible to sit for the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) national certification exam as well as other EKG and Phlebotomy Technician exams. Although there are no state approval, state registration or other state requirements for this program, students who complete this Clinical Medical Assistant program at Columbia Southern University will be prepared and are eligible to sit for this national certification exam. Students who complete this program are encouraged to complete the clinical externship option with their program. Students who complete this program can and do sit for the NHA CCMA national certification exam and are qualified, eligible and prepared to do so. Columbia Southern University works with each student to complete the exam application and register the student to take their national certification exam.

Clinical Externship / Hands on Training / Practicum

Although not a requirement of this program, once students complete the Clinical Medical Assistant program they have the ability to participate in a clinical externship and/or hands on practicum so as to practice the skills necessary to perform the job requirements of a Clinical Medical Assistant. Students will be assisted with completing a resume and/or other requirements necessary to work in a hospital, physicians practice, clinic and/or with other healthcare organizations. All students who complete this program are eligible to participate in an externship and will be placed in a healthcare organization near their location. Columbia Southern University works with national healthcare organizations and has the ability to place students in clinical externship opportunities nationwide.