Individuals who are interested in becoming clinical medical assistants can choose to complete one-year diploma programs or certificate programs that last two to three semesters. Two-year associate degree programs also are available in clinical medical assisting and typically provide general education courses along with medical assisting classes. Clinical medical assistant training programs are offered at technical schools, community colleges and even vocational-technical high schools and feature classroom instruction combined with hands-on training in medical centers, physicians' offices and hospitals.
Students should look for training programs accredited by organizations such as the Accreditation Bureau of Health Education Schools or the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, according to AllAlliedHealthSchools.com. Students also can choose clinical medical assistant programs offered at institutions with regional accreditation. To get into medical assistant programs, students typically must have a high school diploma or GED. High school students who want to become clinical medical assistants should take courses in subjects such as biology, math and health.
Courses in a clinical medical assistant training program cover topics such as physiology, anatomy, phlebotomy and medical terminology. Students also study first aid, medication administration, the taking of patient medical histories, pharmacology concepts, laboratory procedures and clinical procedures. In addition, students learn about ethics, medical law and how to work with patients. They specifically study scheduling appointments and answering phones because many clinical medical assistants are required to complete administrative duties as well. Associate degree program classes also might introduce students to electrocardiography and surgical assisting.
A clinical medical assistant training program prepares students to become certified in this field, which involves passing an exam. Certification is available through associations such as the Association of Medical Technologists and the American Association of Medical Assistants. Students also can seek certification in a medical assisting specialty such as ophthalmology or podiatry. Certification is voluntary but provides better employment and salary opportunities to clinical medical assistants because it demonstrates to employers that an individual meets certain knowledge standards. Clinical medical assistants must meet continuing education requirements to maintain their certification.
After completing a clinical medical assistant program, students can find work in outpatient or inpatient facilities, hospitals, nursing/residential care facilities, private clinics and physician offices. Employment of medical assistants is projected to climb 34 percent from 2008 to 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Median annual wages of medical assistants in May 2008 were $28,300, reports the Bureau of Labor Statistics.