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CLINICAL MEDICAL ASSISTANT

Medical assistants are vital to the smooth operation of every doctor’s office, clinic, hospital and long-term care facility. They answer phones, schedule appointments, assist patients and prepare exam rooms. They are on the front lines of the healthcare industry.  

As a general rule, medical assistants by default perform a mixture of administrative and basic clinical duties. Over time, many medical assistants choose to specialize in one area over the other. Clinical medical assistants, as you can probably guess, specialize in providing direct patient care.

What do clinical medical assistants do?

Although they usually still perform some administrative tasks, clinical medical assistants focus on providing front-line patient care in a variety of healthcare settings.  

Patient intake

• Measure and record vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, temperature, height/weight, etc.) 
• Collect basic patient health history and symptoms at check-in 

Exam room preparation

• Prepare and stock exam/treatment rooms with necessary instruments and supplies 
• Ensure rooms are clean and sterile between patients 
• Sterilize instruments and maintain proper infection control practices 
• Stock, monitor and order clinical supplies as needed 

Assist healthcare providers 

• Assist physicians and nurses during patient examinations and minor procedures  
• Pass instruments, help position patients and support procedural flow 

Phlebotomy and other simple procedures 

• Draw blood and handle specimen preparation and processing 
• Administer injections, immunizations and some medications under supervision 
• Clean wounds, apply dressings and remove sutures/staples 
• Assist with non-complex clinical tasks as directed by provider 

Lab and diagnostic support 

• Collect, prepare, label and process lab specimens (blood, urine, swabs, etc.)  
• Perform basic diagnostic tests such as EKGs 

Medical record management 

• Enter patient information, histories and clinical data into electronic health records 
• Update records with medications, test results and care plans 
• Record results of tests and procedures 

Patient education and communication 

• Provide basic education on medications, treatments and home care instructions 
• Communicate test instructions and follow-up care to patients 
• Respond to patient questions and relay information to the provider 

Admin support 

• Answer phones, check-in/check-out patients and assist at the front desk 
• Assist with basic billing tasks and insurance form preparation (varies by facility) 
• Assist with scheduling appointments and confirming follow-ups 

Getting an education: Degree or certificate?

If you’re interested in a career as a clinical medical assistant, you’ll need to begin with the right education. Your first decision should involve what sort of education you’d like to pursue—a certificate program or an associate degree.  

Let’s explore your options.

Certificate programs

A certificate program is the quickest path to take, as most can be completed in about nine to 12 months. Local community colleges and technical schools typically offer these kinds of programs. Coursework focuses strictly on what you’ll need to know to perform your medical assistant tasks successfully, such as:

• Medical terminology 
• Anatomy and physiology  
• Clinical procedures 
• Disease and pharmacology 
• Medical office procedures 
• Laws and ethics for healthcare professionals

Associate degree

Another option is an associate degree, which is a two-year academic degree. The curriculum of an associate degree program generally includes the same classes you’d find in a certificate program with the addition of some general education courses in areas like English and math. They may also offer a few more complementary courses such as:

• Introduction to human nutrition 
• Introduction to psychology 
• Healthcare communication 
• Medical assistant certification exam prep

One of the key advantages to earning an associate degree is that it may be easier to transfer your credits if you decide to earn a bachelor’s and/or master’s degree later. An advanced degree could help you move into management roles or senior administrative positions.

Accreditation

No matter if you are seeking a certificate or a degree, make sure that your program is accredited by either the Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). This not only ensures you receive a quality education but also ensures that you are eligible to take the American Association of Medical Assistants’ (AAMA) Certified Medical Assistant examination.  

There are many non-accredited programs available, but they may not provide you with the type of education that certification boards will honor. Plus, you may find that you are not eligible for federal financial aid. Transferring credits to a higher degree program or another school can also be a problem if you don’t attend an accredited school or program.

Certifications for clinical medical assistants

While it’s not required by law, most healthcare employers prefer or require their medical assistants to have a certification. The AAMA’s CMA credential is one of the most widely recognized certifications availablefor general medical assisting, but there are multiple options for those who specialize.  

The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) has a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) credential to validate clinical medical assistant skills. To qualify for the certification exam, you need to either:  

• Have a high school diploma or equivalent (such as a GED) and complete a medical assisting program within the last five years, OR 

• Have a high school diploma or equivalent and one year of medical assisting experience in the last three years (or two years of experience within the last five years) 

Another option is the Clinical Medical Assistant Certification (CMAC) offered by the American Medical Certification Association (AMCA).

Why not begin today?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that the medical assistant field is expected to grow faster than the average across all occupations over the next decade (12.5% through 2034), making this an ideal time to earn your degree or certificate. The BLS also reports that medical assistants tend to earn the most in outpatient care centers and hospitals, and with the kind of growth predicted for the profession, the time is right to seriously consider enrolling in an accredited program and preparing for a better future. We can help you find the right school—you just need to provide the ambition and motivation to succeed.