Campus News
July 10th, 2023
GC's CCMA cohort completes classroom instruction
Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Program known for high pass rates
Garrett College’s latest Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) program cohort recently completed required classroom hours. Seated, left to right, are Courtney Alexander (Oakland), Michelle Bender (McHenry), Alison Meeks (Oakland), and Savannah Miller (Confluence). Standing, left to right, are instructors Lin Stewart and Brigette Friend.
Four Garrett College students recently completed the classroom portion of the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) program at Garrett College, which is known for its high national certification pass rates.
"We're very proud of our first-attempt certification pass rates," said Doug Beitzel, who serves as program coordinator. "We continue to maintain pass rates of 95 percent over the last nine years we've offered this program, while the national average is 84 percent."
Beitzel said this spring's cohort is currently completing their final externship hours before sitting for the CCMA national certifications. Students are eligible to earn three national certifications through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) by sitting for exams for Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT), Certified Medical Administrate Assistant (CMAA), and Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA).
The CCMA program, which takes approximately a year to complete, consists of 426 hours of classroom and lab time, followed by 120 hours of externship time. During their externships, students work with experienced medical assistants and phlebotomists in the field.
Beitzel said CCMAs are versatile healthcare professionals who are engaged in a variety of tasks in a medical office or hospital. Certified medical assistants 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," said Beitzel. "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, according to Beitzel. These duties include drawing blood, administering injections and medications, and properly disposing of biohazards.
Registrations are currently being accepted for the limited-space fall program, which starts in September. Scholarship money is available, according to Beitzel, and orientation dates will be announced soon for the fall program.
Classes are slated to run Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings from 6 to 9:15 p.m. at the Career Technology Training Center (CTTC) in Accident. Interested individuals should contact Beitzel at 301-387-3772 or doug.beitzel@garrettcollege.edu.
