Clinical Assistant

Next Morning Class: 03/01/18, 04/19/18
Next Evening Class: 03/19/18, 05/29/18, 08/27/18, 10/29/18

Certificate Program / 43.0 Quarter Credit Hours
Day: 21 weeks / Evening: 28.5 weeks / 600 Clock Hours
(including 150 hours of Clinical Externship)

The Clinical Assistant program at Medical Career Institute is designed to prepare graduates to become a skilled entry-level Clinical Medical Assistants and work effectively in the healthcare environment. Students are trained to become multi-skilled allied health professionals such as Medical Clinical Assistants, Patient Care Technicians and Phlebotomy/EKG Technicians with diverse duties in medical offices, hospitals and clinics. The program includes ample time for lectures and practicing lab skills in our on-campus (work-simulated) doctor’s exam room, phlebotomy and EKG laboratory and patient care room for mock practice of patient care procedures. Additionally, students receive training to assist with front desk duties, scheduling appointments, filling out insurance forms and electronic record keeping. The off-campus clinical externship course of the curriculum is structured to include supervised hands-on training at clinical externship sites such us doctor’s offices, hospitals, laboratories, outpatient surgical centers, endoscopy /colonoscopy clinics and requires logs and performance evaluations of skills.

Objectives of the program:

• Teaching courses in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, clinical procedures interpersonal skills, confidentiality, medical law and ethics, HIPPA, professional behavior, and patient interface as well as basic offices procedures and electronic record keeping ensuring competency.
• Providing clinical activities within on-campus work-stimulated laboratories that include electronic data entry and record keeping, assisting the physician in patient care responsibilities by recording medical histories, taking vital signs, preparing the patient for examination, assisting physician during patient examination, surgical procedures, collecting and performing various laboratory tests, preparing and administering medications, performing diagnostic procedures such as EKGs, wound dressings and providing patient education to ensure patient compliance.
• Prepare a knowledgeable entry-level employee with technical skills and work habits necessary to perform effectively in various health-care related fields
• Providing students with off-campus clinical externship experience that includes a supervised hands-on training (requiring competencies logs and evaluations) at the clinical site (doctor’s offices, clinics, hospitals and healthcare centers).

At the completion of the program, the diligent student will be:

• Proficient in performing entry-level Clinical Assistant tasks and responsibilities.
• Awarded a Certificate of Completion.
• Able to establish eligibility to test for Certified Medical Assistant, Certified Clinical Assistant or Phlebotomy Technician credentialing exams administered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) or National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT).
• Able to seek an entry-level employment in facilities such as medical offices, clinics, hospitals and healthcare centers.

Additional Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet the minimum requirements set forth by Medical Career Institute published under the “Admissions” tab.

** The School Director or Program Director make the final determination of acceptance or rejection into program.

Laboratory and Clinical Requirements

Prior to entering (on-campus and/or off-campus) laboratory skills area, students are required to provide a complete Physical Examination including but not limited to current immunizations including Hepatitis B and 2 part PPD vaccinations, (necessary forms will be provided). Students are also required to wear white sneakers, nurse’s shoes or (closed toe) professional shoes / white socks or stockings. The above laboratory and clinical necessities are the responsibility of the student and may vary according to different site’s requirements. Medical Career Institute carries no responsibility for these requirements and/or charges. Prior to assignment to a designated clinical externship site students will be required to have cleared Background Check, Negative Drugs Screenings Test, valid Healthcare Provider CPR & AED Certification and Student’s Comprehensive General Liability Insurance Policy which protects the student in the event of a liability lawsuit. Upon successful completion of clinical externship, student will be given competencies evaluation based on procedures performed as deemed relevant to the Clinical Assistant Program and offered by the site. Additionally, all students will be evaluated on their professionalism including appearance, punctuality, ability to assume responsibility and dependability, ability to communicate with staff and patients as well as following instructions and accepting constructive criticism.

Credentialing Exams

Upon satisfactory completion of the Clinical Assistant Program, the graduates are eligible for and are encouraged at their expense to sit for the credentialing exam for Medical Clinical Assistant, Patient Care Technician or Phlebotomy Technician administered by National Center for Competency Testing Certification, (NCCT) www.ncctinc.com or National Healthcareer Association (NHA), www.nhanow.com. These credentials are nationally recognized voluntary certifications that could enhance employment opportunities. However, registration or credentialing requirements for taking and passing examinations are not controlled by Medical Career Institute but by the agencies and are subjects to change by the agency without notice to Medical Career Institute. Therefore, Medical Career Institute cannot guarantee that graduates will be eligible to sit for certification examination, regardless of their eligibility status upon enrollment. Medical Career Institute carries no responsibility for these requirements and eligibilities.

Employment

Many Clinical Assistants are employed in doctor’s offices and clinics as Medical Assistants, in hospitals, healthcare centers, ambulatory centers and emergency departments as Patient Care Technicians. Some are employed directly by doctors in the “private assistant role,” They are also utilized in clinics, surgery centers, and general and specialty medical offices. Their broad educational background plus specialized focus, allows Clinical Assistants to function well in a number of diverse areas of their field. Employment possibilities in addition to Clinical Assistant include blood banks, EKG technicians, phlebotomists and marketing and sales of medical equipment and supplies. A number of Clinical Assistants become instructors after 3 years of experience in the field. For expected salary please refer to web site: www.salary.com.

Working Conditions

Clinical Assistants work in clean, well lit and cool, controlled and relatively quiet environments. They may be required to stand for long periods of time, and it is vital their attention be focused on the tasks at hand. They may at times be exposed to communicable diseases, unpleasant odors, sights and biohazard materials and may have to lift, push or turn disabled patients as well as equipment. Most Clinical Assistants work a regular 40-hour/week: although they may be “Part-time”, work nights, weekends and holidays on a rotating basis, depending on the facility.