Clinical Medical Assisting Certificate

Cerro Coso IWV campus

What can I do with this?

The Clinical Medical Assisting Certificate

  • Prepares students for the State Exam for Medical Assistants (CCBMA).
  • Provides the students with the opportunity to develop the necessary clinical skills needed to be an effective medical assistant.
  • Focuses on the physician's back office including patient assessment, physician's laboratory, and medication administration.

You can use this to:

  • Enhance career opportunities as a Medical Assistant

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, Medical Assisting is one of the nation's fastest growing careers with an expected growth of 34% between 2012 and 2018. Approximately 62 percent of medical assistants work in physician offices; 13 percent work in public and private hospitals including inpatient and outpatient facilities; 11 percent work in other health practitioner settings, such as chiropractor's and optometrist's offices.

What will I learn?

  • Research online and traditional reference materials effectively to stay informed about emerging trends and breakthroughs in healthcare issues related to the medical assistant's clinical role.
  • Perform Clinical Medical Assisting procedures competently, such as OSHA standards, electronic technologies, and medical records.
  • Achieve entry level Clinical Medical Assisting competencies, such as verbal communication, medical and surgical aseptic technique, and physical assessments which satisfy industry needs.
  • Identify State of California regulations that govern the healthcare industry for Medical Assistants.

What courses do I take?

Note: Some courses within the major may have a required prerequisite. If you feel you have equivalent knowledge and skills to those included in the prerequisite course through professional experience, licensure, or certification, you have the opportunity to submit a Prerequisite Challenge to be reviewed by the faculty chair. For the Prerequisite Challenge to be considered, you must submit documentation/verification to substantiate the basis for the challenge. Please consult a counselor for more information regarding Prerequisite Challenge.

Complete all of the following courses

Medical Assisting Core Courses

Clinical Medical Assisting

All students must complete a Certified Background Check before participating in the program.

This program is authorized by California Certifying Board for Medical Assistants. To learn more about the agency or to submit a complaint about Cerro Coso Community College's program after trying to resolve the issue through the local Student Complaint Policy, contact the agency at ccbma.org.

Program Pathways

All classes needed for this certificate are available at the following campuses: Ridgecrest / IWV Bishop Mammoth Lakes

See Counseling for specific help with enrolling and completing this major.

How can I afford it?

This degree requires 20.5 units and will likely take 2 semesters.

Approximate Total Costs

CA Residents

20.5 units

at $46 per unit

Equals $943 in tuition and fees

Plus approximately $1,230* for books and supplies

Total cost $2,173 for 2 semesters

Non-residents

20.5 units

at $375 per unit

Equals $7,687.50 in tuition and fees

Plus approximately $1,230* for books and supplies

Total cost $8,917.50 for 2 semesters

*This is an estimate. Actual costs will vary.

Need help? Financial Aid can help with fee waivers and scholarships and other aid. Make sure to fill out your FAFSA every January.