Clinical Medical Assistant

Course Content

• CPR
• Basic Medical Office Administration
• Perform Taking of Patient History
• Assist with Physical Examinations
• Medical Documentation & Recording
• Electrocardiograms
• Nutrition
• Knowledge of CLIA and OSHA Guidelines
• Pediatric
• Sterilization and Disinfection
• Digestive Systems
• Integumentary Systems
• Prenatal Care
• Gynecology
• Pharmacology
• Reproductive Health
• Minor Office Surgery
• Medical Microbiology
• Prepare Patients & Examination Rooms
• Phlebotomy & Hematology
• Blood Chemistry & Serology
• Clinical Laboratory
• Perform Venipuncture’s & Injections
• Catheterizations
• Patient Education
• Infection Control & Universal Precautions
• Medical Vocabulary
• Medical Terminology
• Abbreviations & Symbols
• Intro Anatomy & Physiology
• Radiology
• Urinalysis
• Prescription Writing
• Emergency Medical Procedures
• Knowledge of Medications & Drug Calculations
• Effective communication with patient, family and other members of the healthcare team

Length of Program

The Clinical Medical Assistant Program is a total of 529 contact hours consisting of 309 classroom hours and 220 hours of clinical. Classroom hours are 9:00am-3:30pm Monday through Friday for Day Classes. Evening Classes meet Monday through Thursday 6:00pm-10:00pm. Clinical hours will vary according to the clinical area assigned. Clinicals usually amount to 6 weeks for most rotations or until you reach your 220-hour minimum. Total course time for the CMA day class is about 16 weeks and for CMA evening classes total length is about 25 weeks (end dates vary depending on various office hours at your clinical placement).We cannot guarantee placement for students that choose not to be vaccinated. 

Fees

• Registration Fee $100.00 (non-refundable)
• Books Fee $140.00
• Materials Fee $135.00
• Tuition $5025.00
• Technology Fee $150.00

Additional Cost:

• CPR Certification $25.00
• Student Liability Insurance $45.00
• Student ID Badge $15.00
• National Certification Exam $165.00

Total Program Cost $5800.00

The deadline to apply for Financial Aid is 2 weeks prior to each program’s start date.   The Academy cannot guarantee access to Financial Aid resources after this deadline.

Required Textbook / Workbook:

Bonewit-West, K. (2023) Clinical Procedures for Medical Assistants. 11th Edition. Elsevier. St. Louis, Missouri. ISBN: 978-0-323-75858-1

Bonewit-West, K. (2023) Study Guide for Clinical Procedures for Medical Assistants. 11th Edition, Elsevier. St. Louis, Missouri. ISBN: 978-0-323-75882-6

Additional Supplies:

A current Medical Dictionary is strongly suggested for class and can be obtained from any bookstore for approximately $10. Students will need general school supplies such as:  binders, notebook, paper, pens, pencils, erasers, and highlighters. Students are required to purchase a minimum of two pair of scrubs that must always be worn during clinicals. These are approximately $50.00 per pair and can be purchased at any uniform or retail store. Students are also required to purchase a stethoscope and blood pressure cuff by the second (2nd) week of class; these are approximately $45.00 for the kit. A student name badge is part of student uniform and is required for clinicals. Uniforms will be worn six to ten (6-10) weeks after class begins. Students are encouraged to purchase a lab jacket, approximately $25.00; and any additional uniforms you may feel necessary for class/clinicals. Liability insurance is required for each student before student is placed in clinicals. The student may also incur expenses related to specific agency requirements for immunizations, TB skin test (x-rays if required), respiratory fit test, background checks, and drug screens.  At completion of course (including ALL clinical hours), students will take the Certification exam.  Students are encouraged to purchase any additional uniforms you may feel necessary for class/clinicals, (color based on clinical assignment).

Cancellation / Withdrawal / Refund Policy:

In accordance with the TENNESSEE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION (THEC), The Academy of Allied Health Careers utilizes enrollment contracts/agreements and must maintain a cancellation and settlement policy for a full refund of all monies paid by a student if a student cancels the enrollment agreement or contract within 72 hours or 3 business days (Excluding Saturday, Sunday and Legal Holidays) after the enrollment contract is signed by the prospective student.  

                    1.  If the student begins classes within the 72-hour cancellation privilege period, the regular refund applies.  This refund is described below.

                    2.  If tuition or fees are collected in advance of entrance into a course, and if the student withdraws after the 72-hour expiration of the cancellation privilege but before the class has started, the Academy will retain no more than the $100 Registration Fee.

                    3.  If tuition and fees are collected in advance of the start date and the Academy cancels the class, the student may elect to transfer any tuition and fees paid to the next scheduled class if they so choose or receive a refund of 100% of the tuition and fees collected. 

For the student who begins any of the Academy’s programs and terminates or withdraws, the Academy will retain the $100.00 non-refundable Registration Fee and the minimum refund of the remaining tuition will be calculated.

                    1.  Class refunds are prorated for the time you have spent in class (see guidelines below for withdrawal dates). This refund amount will be dependent on the length of course, total tuition for the course and amount of time spent in the course. You will be charged for the entire cost of tuition divided by (÷) the total number of weeks the class is scheduled, then multiplied by the total number of weeks you attended class according to our withdrawal date policy below. (For example: Tuition for Clinical Medical Assistant is $5025.00. The Clinical Medical Assistant day class is 10 weeks of class and student attended 2 weeks of class. Therefore: $5025.00 ÷ 10 weeks = $502.50 per week. So, $502.50 x 2 weeks = $1005.00. The student in this situation would owe $1005.00 for tuition.

                     2.  Tuition refunds do not include any additional fees such as: Registration Fee, Book Fees, Material Fees, Insurance Used, Uniforms Purchased, Physicals, etc.

                     3.  The effective date of the termination for refund purposes will be the following:

                                        a.  The last day of attendance if the student is terminated by the institution.

                                        b.  The date of receipt of written notice from the student.

                                        c.  Ten school days following the last day of attendance.

                                        d.  Refunds will be totally consummated within at least 45 days after the effective date of termination.

Financial Assistance:

The Academy is an eligible training provider for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program.  Information related to eligibility for both programs is available at your local American Jobs Center.  The Academy is also approved by the Tennessee State Approving Agency for the training of veterans and their eligible dependents. In addition, the Academy offers payment plans for students admitted to its programs. Further information will be provided during the interview process. Students receiving any type of financial assistances will meet with an administrator to review their responsibilities. This program does not qualify for students to receive Title IV (Pell Grant) funding. The following programs DO qualify for students to receive Title IV (Pell Grant) funding:  MAA/CMA BUNDLE Program, Professional Coder PLUS Program. 

Admission Requirements

In order to be considered for admission prospective students must:

1. Attend a Career Overview session to gain information re: programs offered and expectations
2. Interview with Academy staff
3. Complete entrance assessment (basic reading and math skills). Note: Results are used for advisement purposes only. No passing score identified.
4. Submit the following:
   1. Official high school or GED transcript
   2. A copy of a government approved photo ID (examples may include driver's license or state-issued ID)
   3. Completed Program Application/Enrollment Agreement

Students sponsored by WIOA or any other funding source are interviewed a 2nd time by Academy staff.  The purpose of the second interview is to reinforce the Academy’s commitment to the objectives of the funding source (i.e. job search and employment).

The following minimal physical and mental requirements are necessary for successful progression through the Clinical Medical Assistant program:

• Ability to lift or move weights of up to 35% of recommended bodyweight (approx. 50 pounds).
• Motor ability necessary to ambulate independently in clients’ rooms and in work areas.
• Visual acuity sufficient to observe and assess client behavior, prepare and to administer medications, and accurately read monitors and computer screens.
• Auditory acuity sufficient to hear instructions, requests, monitoring alarms, and to auscultate heart tones, breath sounds, and bowel sounds.
• The ability to speak, write, and comprehend the English language proficiently (safety issue).
• The ability to communicate in a professional manner and establish rapport with clients and colleagues.

Criminal background checks and drug screens are required at the affiliated clinical sites for training. Based on the results of these checks, an affiliated clinical site may determine to not allow your presence at their facility. This could result in your inability to successfully complete the requirements of this program. Additionally, a criminal background may preclude licensure or employment.

Immunizations / Vaccinations

The Academy does NOT require proof of any immunizations/vaccinations including, but not limited to: Hepatitis B, COVID-19, Flu, or TB skin test. However, many of our affiliated clinical sites do require these, and perhaps other, immunizations and vaccinations.  Because of this, we cannot guarantee placement for students that choose not to be vaccinated.

Authorization

The Academy of Allied Health Careers Clinical Medical Assistant Program is authorized by The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC). This authorization has to be renewed each year and is based on an evaluation by minimum standards concerning quality of education, ethical business practices, health and safety, and fiscal responsibility.