Cerro Coso Community College can prepare you for one of today's most in-demand careers as a medical assistant

Are you looking for a rewarding career as a medical assistant?

For those who want to find work as a front office receptionist or assist a physician working with clients in the back office, Cerro Coso offers a pathway for Clinical Medical Assisting (CMA) and Administrative Medical Assisting (AMA). Our professional training includes real-world experience in a medical environment that provides students with the skills they need for immediate employment.

Clinical Medical Assisting (CMA)

The Clinical Medical Assistant (CMA) is an integral multi-skilled member of the health care team, working under the supervision of the health care provider. These courses focus on the skills needed to work in a physician's back office including patient assessment, physician's laboratory, and medication administration and prepares students for certification examinations given by accrediting organizations.

Administrative Medical Assisting (AMA)

A pathway to Administrative Medical Assisting provides students with the opportunity to develop the necessary administrative skills needed to be an effective medical assistant. These courses focus on the skills needed to work in a physician's front office including receptionist, office management, billing, and coding and prepares students for certification examinations given by accrediting organizations.

Admissions Requirements

Basic reading, writing, and math levels are advised and established for each pathway. Some courses require completion of a screening process and/or completion of required forms PRIOR to enrollment. For detailed requirements please see a counseling staff member. For an appointment call (760) 384-6219.

Matriculation Requirements

Students completing the following steps receive priority registration status:

• Orientation – attend an orientation session
• Assessment – complete assessment testing
• See a counselor – make an appointment
• Student Education Plan – your counselor will assist you in developing a plan to reach your educational goals

Cerro Coso Student Rebecca Norris

"Healthcare occupations make up 10 of the 20 fastest growing occupations in the United States. This grant affords Cerro Coso an incredible opportunity to meet the increased needs for skilled workers in the healthcare profession that offers students interesting career options." —VALERIE KARNES, Dean of Career Technical Education, Cerro Coso Community College

	AMA/CMA Pathways The addition of the AMA and CMA pathway of courses at Cerro Coso are the result of the $1.5 Million Trade Adjustment Act-Department of Labor Grant the college received to expand health career offerings. Not all courses are available on each campus. Some courses may be taught in the classroom and online. Other courses may be available only online. For more information, see the Cerro Coso Community College schedule of classes.
Administrative Medical Assisting (11.5 units) CSCI C121 Beginning Word CSCI C123 Beginning Excel HCRS C133 Medical Office Procedures HCRS C134 Insurance/Billing HCRS C135 Basic ICD and CPT Coding HCRS C142 Medical Assistant Administrative Internship		PREREQUISITE COURSES (9 units) HCRS C150 Medical Terminology HCRS C130 Healthcare Communication HCRS C131 Medical Law/Ethics HCRS C132 Electronic Health Record CSCI C070 Computer Literacy		Clinical Medical Assisting (11.5 units) HCRS C136 Clinical Medical Assisting I HCRS C137 Clinical Medical Assisting II HCRS C138 Medication Administration HCRS C139 Laboratory Procedures HCRS C143 Medical Assistant Clinical Internship

This pathway of study is in response to community needs in Ridgecrest, Kern River Valley, South Kern, Bishop and Mammoth areas and is being funded through the TAACCCT Grant.