Campus News

GC students complete CCMA classroom hours

After completing externships, students eligible to sit for 3 certifications

This year’s Garrett College Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) program participants recently completed their classroom hours and are now working on their externship requirements. Sitting, left to right, are students Sadie Powell, Rachel Wiley, Jo Casey, and Jessica Muir. Standing, left to right, are instructors Brigette Friend, Lin Stewart, and Rachel Fitzwater.

Four students have finished the classroom component of the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) program at Garrett College, and are now working to complete their final externship hours before sitting for the CCMA national certification.

The program, almost a year in length, consists of 426 hours of classroom and lab time. That’s followed by 120 externship hours, working with experienced medical assistants and phlebotomists in the field.

After completion of the externships, students are eligible to earn three national certifications through the National Health Career Association by sitting for the Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT), Certified Medical Administrate Assistant (CMAA), and Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exams.

Certified clinical medical assistants are versatile healthcare professionals who are engaged in a variety of tasks in a medical office or hospital. They can be found in a number of healthcare settings, including nursing homes, medical centers, laboratories and hospitals.

These professionals are involved in the clinical and administrative aspects of a hospital or practice. Clinical medical assistants help doctors and nurses by preparing examination rooms, taking and monitoring patient vital signs, interviewing patients for medical histories, preparing patients for X-rays, and assisting in medical procedures, such as the administration of electrocardiograms.

Clinical medical assistants are allowed to perform more advanced duties such as drawing blood, administering injections and medications, and properly disposing of biohazards, just to name a few. Orientation dates are currently being set up for the fall program starting in September, and registrations are currently being accepted with limited space available. Classes are slated to run Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6 to 9:15 p.m. at the Garrett College Career Technology Training Center in Accident.

Interested persons should contact Program Coordinator Doug Beitzel, at 301-387-3772 or doug.beitzel@garrettcollege.edu.