Cert in Health and Medical Administrative Services

This short healthcare program prepares students for clinical tasks in physician offices and similar outpatient settings. Medical assistants keep clinics running by handling routine patient-care duties. Training covers giving medications, assisting with minor surgery, recording electrocardiograms, collecting specimens for onsite tests, teaching patients and maintaining equipment. Duties may also include noting patient histories and measuring vital signs and preparing patients for exams. The program is made up of classroom instruction and a clinical externship, and it provides the skills needed to attempt a national certification exam for clinical medical assistants. Prospective students should speak with a program advisor before enrolling to confirm eligibility, scheduling and how the training fits their career plans. The published program page lists staff contacts and the division that oversees the subject, which helps applicants find the right person to ask about details.