Twelve students graduate from Blinn College Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Program

Program prepares students for in-demand roles in the healthcare field

January 29, 2021

The Blinn College District recently recognized 12 Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Program graduates who have acquired the skills necessary to serve as vital medical support professionals.

Kirtannica Bundage (Hearne), Caitlin D. Ewings (College Station), Ashley R. Flores (Hearne), Elena O. Jaimes Bailon (College Station), Lizbeth Martinez (Bryan), Ayshia D. Merchant (College Station), Amanda G. Meyer (Bryan), Brittany M. Musia (Bryan), Holly D. Nichols (Caldwell), Damarys Y. Ocampo (Bryan), Shekiaya J. Seymore (College Station), and Elvia M. Zaragoza (Bryan) completed the coursework and clinical training needed to take the National Healthcareer Association Clinical Medical Assistant Certification Exam to become certified clinical medical assistants.

Clinical medical assistants are valuable medical team members who perform clinical and administrative duties under the direction of a physician. Their responsibilities encompass a variety of job duties, including maintaining patient medical records, scheduling appointments, administering medications, collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, and recording vital signs.

“Medical facilities have expanded the responsibilities of clinical medical assistants to serve both in administrative and direct patient care roles,” said Karla Flanagan, Dean of Technical and Community Education. “This illustrates our community’s need for more clinical medical assistants and demonstrates their significance in the healthcare industry.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national demand for clinical medical assistants is expected to grow 19% between 2019 and 2029, generating 139,200 new jobs. Texas ranks among the top states in the nation for number of people employed as clinical medical assistants.

Blinn’s 200-hour Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Program is offered in Bryan and Brenham and consists of three courses. The first two courses take place in the classroom, introducing students to medical office operations, equipment, procedures, and how those skills are utilized in an ambulatory care setting. Students then apply specialized theory, techniques, and concepts in a clinical environment under the direct supervision of a healthcare provider. The total cost for the program is $1,700.

“Clinical medical assistants lay the foundation for quality care,” said Jay Anderson, Vice Chancellor of Health Sciences, Technical Education, and Community Programs. “Graduates of our program gain valuable training that prepares them to immediately enter the workforce and support physicians and other healthcare professionals.”

The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Program is part of Blinn’s Division of Technical and Community Education, which includes courses designed to provide students with the knowledge and ability they need to enter the workforce immediately after completion. Many of these classes do not require a high school diploma and enrollment is fast and easy. For non-credit courses, students do not need to go through the College’s admissions process to enroll. Programs vary in length and are offered with daytime, evening, and weekend options.

To enroll in Blinn’s Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Program, students must first participate in a mandatory online healthcare information session.

For more information, visit www.blinn.edu/clinical-medical-assistant or email healthcare@blinn.edu.