Clinical Medical Assistant with RMA Certification Program with Required 160 Hour Clinical Externship

1. Clinical Medical Assistant with Registered Medical Assistant Certification This program prepares learners to support healthcare teams by blending clinical knowledge, administrative skills, and real-world experience. It culminates in achieving a recognized credential and completing a 160-hour hands-on clinical externship. Core Responsibilities & Daily Tasks Clinical medical assistants trained in this track are equipped to assist healthcare professionals in various capacities: ● Patient Preparation & Vital Signs Students learn how to greet patients, obtain their health histories, and record vital signs such as blood pressure, temperature, height, and weight. ● Phlebotomy & Specimen Collection Drawing blood, handling urine or swab samples, and prepping them for analysis are practiced with precision and care. ● Medication Administration & Injections Under supervision, administering vaccines and injections safely is part of the hands-on clinical skill set. ● EKG & Non-Invasive Diagnostic Procedures Students learn lead placement, reading basic electrocardiograms, and preparing examination areas. ● Clinical Infection Control & Sterilization Instruction covers universal precautions, sanitizing exam rooms, instrument cleaning, and safe disposal of biohazards. ● Administrative Coordination Training includes scheduling, answering patient inquiries, verifying insurance, documenting patient encounters, and processing claims. Registered Medical Assistant Certification Pathway To achieve the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) credential, students must fulfill three core requirements:

2. 1. Completion of an Accredited Educational Program Must include a comprehensive curriculum—typically around 720 contact hours—that balances classroom instruction and supervised clinical training. 2. 160-Hour Clinical Externship Provides real-world experience in healthcare settings, allowing students to apply learned skills under supervision. Externships may last 4–8 weeks with approximately 15–40 hours per week. 3. Passing the RMA Examination Covers general medical knowledge, clinical skills, and administrative tasks. Popular certifying bodies include national registries like AMT or ARMA. Success in this certification enhances employability and credibility in the field. Structure of the Education Program The program generally unfolds in several stages: ● Foundational Coursework: Core subjects include anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, pharmacology, infection control, cardiac monitoring, phlebotomy, office procedures, legal/ethical responsibilities, and patient communication. ● Interactive Clinical Labs: Students practice vital signs, specimen collection, injection techniques, EKGs, instrument sterilization, and patient instructions in lab settings. ● Externship Placement: A structured 160-hour externship in a clinical environment lets students shadow and assist professional staff, refine skills, learn EHR use, and experience patient workflows. ● Clinical Competency Assessments: Performance is tracked via checklists or practical evaluations in phlebotomy, EKG, vital signs, medication administration, and infection control. Beneficial Personal & Professional Attributes ● Detail Oriented & Responsible: Essential when administering medications, documenting records, and maintaining sterile environments. ● Interpersonal & Compassionate: Healthcare requires empathy and clear communication with patients and families. ● Organized & Adaptive: Balancing clinical tasks, charting, and scheduling demands strong multitasking skills. ● Ethical Awareness & Confidentiality: Familiarity with patient privacy regulations and professional conduct is critical. Career Outlook & Opportunities

3. ● Job Growth The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts a 14% increase in medical assistant roles through 2032—far surpassing average job growth. ● Diverse Work Settings Graduates may work in clinics, physician practices, outpatient centers, urgent care facilities, assisted living, and other healthcare environments. ● Professional Advancement Certification can lead to roles like senior medical assistant, office supervisor, phlebotomist, or pathway to nursing and allied-health professions. ● Competitive Compensation Certified professionals typically earn more than non-certified peers, reflecting their verified skill set.