A clinical medical assisting degree is a program that provides students with the skills and knowledge needed to work as a medical assistant in a clinical setting. Medical assistants are an essential part of a healthcare team, and their duties can include administrative tasks like scheduling appointments, maintaining patient records, and billing, as well as clinical tasks like taking vital signs, preparing patients for exams, and assisting physicians during procedures.
The degree program typically takes 9-12 months to complete and may be offered at community colleges, vocational schools, or online. The curriculum includes coursework in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, clinical procedures, medical law and ethics, and medical office management.
Graduates of a clinical medical assisting degree program may be eligible to take a certification exam to become a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) or Registered Medical Assistant (RMA). Becoming certified is not always required, but it can improve job prospects and potentially lead to higher salaries.
