Certified Clinical Medical Assistants support medical practices by being able to competently perform both clinical AND administrative tasks. In other words, CCMAs are involved in both the administration side and the patient care side.
On the clinical side, medical assisting can include things like recording vital signs, administering medications, and interacting with patients. All of this is done under the supervision of a licensed physician.
On the administrative side, Certified Clinical Medical Assistants assist patients in filling out forms, do insurance billing, and schedule patients. Computer literacy is preferred, and is taught during the CCMA certification program.
There are currently 6 medical assistant programs in Bakersfield. The length of time for program completion ranges anywhere from 9 months to 24 months.
Most programs don't require prerequisite courses to be completed. All of the programs listed here are accredited by the California Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE).
Upon completion of any of the programs listed, students will be eligible to take the CMA (AAMA) Certification Exam. The AAMA exam is made up of 200 multiple choice questions administered in four 40-minute segments.
When it comes to pay for Certified Clinical Medical Assistants, the future has never been brighter! Across the US, the average annual salary for CCMAs is $35,850. However, pay can vary widely depending on which state, county, and city you live in. In California in 2021, the average pay for medical assistants is $45,567.