The Clinical Medical Assistant program includes clinical health care competencies expected for entry-level clinical medical assistants. Students develop skills that focus on direct patient care and typical clinical and laboratory skills, such as minor clinical procedures, EKG, phlebotomy, injections, and lab screenings. Students also learn to observe Universal Precautions, OSHA regulations, HIPAA requirements, confidentiality, and the legal aspects applicable to any allied health environment.

Duties of medical assistants vary from office to office depending on office location, size, and specialty. In small practices, medical assistants are usually “generalists,” handling both administrative and clinical duties. They report directly to an office manager, physician, or other healthcare practitioner. Those in large practices tend to specialize in a particular area under the supervision of a department administrator/practice manager.