Penn State Hazleton offers clinical medical assistant certificate

HAZLETON, Pa. — Penn State Hazleton is offering a program in Clinical Medical Assisting (CMA), which combines classroom and clinical instruction to provide students with the necessary education and skills to work in numerous health care settings.

The session begins Monday, May 7, with classes offered in the evening to suit the needs of working students.

The four-month program includes 140 hours of classroom education followed by an optional clinical portion. Students can choose to complete up to 160 hours of clinical practice, which begins right after the classroom portion concludes. Students will work with a clinical coordinator to create an individual clinical experience.

“Our program was designed to take less time and cost less money than traditional Clinical Medical Assisting programs. After completing the course and gaining the skills of a clinical medical assistant, students can receive clinical practice if they choose or head out into the job market and gain employment,” said Director of Continuing Education Debra Conway.

The program prepares students for careers in physicians’ offices, chiropractors’ offices, clinics, hospitals and outpatient facilities. Medical assistants with a clinical background can perform various clinical tasks including assisting with the administration of medications and with minor procedures, performing an electrocardiogram, obtaining laboratory specimens for testing, educating patients and other related tasks.

Students who complete this comprehensive course would be prepared to sit for the National Healthcareer Association's Certified Clinical Medical Assistant national certification examination.

In addition to facilitating entry-level clinical medical assisting related positions, this course is ideal for students interested in pursuing a future formal Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), Nursing (LPN) or a Nursing (RN) program.

Once program graduates start working, they will gain confidence and application of the skills needed to function as professionals in multiple health care facilities. 

Classes begin May 7 and run through Aug. 14, and will be held Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 to 9:30 p.m. The clinical portion will be scheduled upon completion of classroom hours.

To register or for more information, visit http://hazleton.psu.edu/clinical-medical-assisting-program. Information also is available by contacting Debra Conway, director of the Office of Continuing Education at Penn State Hazleton, at 570-450-3136 or [email protected].