Medical Assistants complete administrative and clinical tasks in the offices of physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. Their duties vary with the location, specialty and size of the practice.

Medical assistants typically do the following:
• Record patient history and personal information
• Measure vital signs, such as blood pressure, temperature, pulse and respiration
• Help physicians with patient examinations
• Give patients injections or medications as directed by physicians and as permitted by state law
• Schedule patient appointments
• Collect and prepare blood, and tissue samples for laboratory tests
• Enter patient information into medical records

*** Administrative medical assistants often fill out insurance forms or code patients’ medical information. They often answer telephones and schedule patient appointments

*** Clinical medical assistants have different duties, depending on where they work. They may do basic laboratory tests, dispose of contaminated supplies, and sterilize medical instruments. They may have additional responsibilities, such as instructing patients about medication or special diets, preparing patients for x-rays, removing stitches, drawing blood or changing dressing.

Analytical skills
Medical assistants must be able to understand and follow medical charts and diagnoses. They may be required to code a patient’s medical records for billing purposes

Detail oriented
Medical assistants need to be precise when taking vital signs or recording patient information. Physicians and insurance companies rely on accurate documentation, and medical records

Interpersonal skills
Medical assistants need to be able to discuss patient information with other medical personnel, such as physicians. They often interact with patients who may be in pain or in distress, so they need to be able to act in a calm and professional manner

Technical skills
Medical assistants should be able to use basic clinical instruments so they can take a patient’s vital signs, such as heart rate and blood pressure.

CORE SKILLS

Intro to computers/word processing
Study skills and critical thinking
Professional communication and service excellence
Cultural competency
History and trends in healthcare
Intro to the Medical Assistant
Medical terminology
Overview of Anatomy & Physiology

ADMINISTRATIVE SKILLS (FRONT OFFICE)

Role of the Administrative Medical Assistant
Role of the Receptionist
Office equipment and environment
Screening, patient registration and appointment scheduling
Billing and coding
Fees, Accounting, and Payroll
Safety and Preparedness

CLINICAL SKILLS (BACK OFFICE)

Medical Asepsis/Infection control
Patient interview, history and documentation
Patient screening intake
Vital signs, height, weight, BMI
MA duties (draping patients, physical exam assist, wound care, etc.)

CCHC ORGANIZATIONAL PROTOCOLS

Community outreach and Marketing
Facility management
What is an FQHC?
Patient advocacy, Liaison, Navigator
Professional development & Leadership

1. Reach out. Candidates who express interest should reach out to our Admissions Committee at admissions@cchccenters.org or via phone at 818-844-4271. You will be emailed an Informational Fact Sheet as well as the PDF application for enrollment

2. Submit application. Completed applications should be submitted to briannak@cchccenters.org.

3. Gather required documents. (see application requirements)

4. Schedule in-person interview and pre-assessment. Once applications are received and processed, candidates are sent a link to schedule their in-person interview and pre-assessment

5. A Moodle link will be provided. Candidates will need to create an account, finish the application process and upload any pending required documents.

6. Attend Orientation. During orientation, candidates will be given access codes, uniforms, books, class schedules, textbooks (optional) and equipment (stethoscope and blood pressure cuffs).

7. Submit your first payment.

Additional questions about the school and program can be submitted through the website under “Contact Us” page or directly to admissions@cchccenters.org

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

• High school diploma or Equivalent
• Complete an interview and a pre-assessment exam to identify basic comprehension and interest of the student
• Be fully vaccinated against COVID before program start
• Have all immunizations up-to-date (Flu shot, Hep-B, MMR)
• Submit to drug-screen before the start of externship

***Although it will not affect their ability to successfully complete the program, students will be required to undergo/pass both a background check and drug screening before hire.

COMPLETION AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Successfully complete 640 course hours (didactic and clinical lab training)
• Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA average in order to qualify for externship
• Complete 160 hours of externship at one of our CCHC clinical locations or one of our partnered organizations CPR certification (Included in the program)
• Pass the American Heart Association (AHA) BLS for Healthcare Providers course
• CPR Certification
• Receive a Medical Assistant Certificate from CCHC Healthcare College

***National Certified Clinical Medical Assisting (CCMA) certification is offered to all CCHC Healthcare College students after one year of employment. It is not a requirement to successfully complete the Medical Assisting program.

Founded in 2004, Comprehensive Community Health Center (CCHC) is a non-profit Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). We serve over 120,000 patients and are one of the largest FQHCs in Los Angeles County.

CCHC has five existing clinical locations in the cities of Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Glendale, North Hollywood and Sunland. The organization is currently thriving with several mobile and clinical locations to be added in the near future.

It is the mission of CCHC to ensure the health and wellness of each individual so every person may reach their fullest human potential within a caring environment. CCHC’s vision is to increase access to high quality health and wellness services. Additionally, CCHC Healthcare College’s purpose is to train exceptional medical assistants in a setting of academic excellence that provides the competence, communication, and technical skills required to produce qualified and compassionate allied health workers with the right skillset.

Upon successful program completion, students are eligible to apply for employment with CCHC or one of our partnered organizations, as available. CCHC offers its employees a competitive salary, a wide range of benefits including accrued PTO, retirement plans with employer matching and Medical, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance.