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Clinical Medical Assistant and Introduction to Medical Terminology and Work Skills

Course Description

The Clinical Medical Assistant Certificate Program is a concurrent two-part program providing students with the technical vocabulary and anatomy knowledge and the practical clinical experience necessary for successful entry-level employment as clinical medical assistants. The cost of this program includes course fees for Introduction to Medical Terminology and Work Skills ($330) and Clinical Medical Assisting Lab ($940).

Students will receive step-by-step industry-standard clinical/ back-office training.

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Part 1 - Introduction to Medical Terminology and Work Skills: Analyze and deconstruct medical word parts for meaning. Identify and describe body cavities, regions, and systems and apply the medical terms used to describe them. Learn basic human anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, orientations, and the medical terms that describe them. Improve the pronunciation of medical words and terms. 

 

Part 2 - Clinical Medical Assisting Lab: This section provides practical hands-on clinical experience by teaching patient interview skills, patient positioning, vitals, blood pressure, injections, ECG, CPR and more.  

Students successfully completing both sections of the course earn a Certificate of Completion and optional externship placement for students who qualify. Students are offered the opportunity to take the National or CA State exam to qualify as a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA).  

Take the two sections together and complete your CMA training in approximately 15 weeks (not including externship opportunities) 

  • NOTE: This Program is listed on the Sacramento Employment & Training Agency (SETA) Local Training Provider List. Please see the SETA website at https://www.seta.net/ for details about scholarship opportunities.

Registration for this program is determined upon space available and the passing of an entrance exam at the MANDATORY ORIENTATION on June 5th. 

Course: Summer 2026 Clinical Medical Assisting / Medical Terminology and Work Skills 
  • Orientation Link
  • Instructor: Julie Whittemore
  • Class Dates: 7/6/2026-9/24/2026
  • Class Days: Monday-Thursday                                                        
  • Time: 9:00am to 3:30pm                                                                                                         
  • Total Weeks: 15                                                                                                    
  • Total Hours: 360 (excluding externship)
  • Location: Sunrise Tech Center, Room 22
  • Enrollment Maximum: 18
  • Price: $1,300  (does NOT include textbooks, scrubs, CPR certification, CA State or National Test Fees) *
  • This class will be repeated during the school year; check back later for future dates

NO REFUNDS-NO EXCEPTIONS once class begins.

Required Books Student will need to purchase, before class starts.

Medical Language 

 Immerse Yourself  Sixth Edition Susan M. Turley

  • ISBN-13-978-0-13-805299-7                                                                                                
  • ISBN-10 0-13-805299-9

Comprehensive Medical Assisting (Textbook or E-book)

 Administrative and Clinical Competencies Sixth Edition 

  • ISBN: 978-1-305-96479-2

Pre-requisites:

  • Proof of a high school (or college) diploma (if from outside the United States, the diploma or GED must be translated into English).    

  • Written proof of a current TB test within two (2) weeks of the class start date.

  • Scrubs (solid top and matching bottoms, any color) worn with closed-toed/heeled shoes are required within two (2) weeks of the class start date. 

  • Basic computer skills, including the ability to create, save, and email a document.

  • Minimum typing speed of 25 wpm. 

 

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** A payment plan is available.  Once you receive your enrollment acceptance confirmation, you will be sent an invitation to complete your registration with a link to either pay the tuition in full or set up a payment plan contract and register for the class.  You are not considered enrolled until payment is received.  For the payment plan, half of the tuition is due at registration using a credit or debit card only.  The remainder of the tuition is due in monthly installments until paid in full.  

For specific questions about this program, please reach out to our CMA instructor, Julie Whittemore at julie.whittemore@sanjuan.edu