CMA and CCMA

Nurses Career Support

Published

Hey everyone I have a question about a program offered through my community college. I hope I am posting this in the right area.

A little background, I had applied to my community colleges RN program starting in August 2016, however I did not get in. They usually accept 80% of the applicants, this year they accepted only 20%. I would really like to get some sort of degree or certification in the medical field, while waiting to apply again.

I have looked at the job market, and a lot of places seem to be hiring CMA's, which I think would be great experience, and help me through school once I get in. My community college has a workforce development program, and they offer a CCMA, certified clinical medical assistant. Can someone let me know what the difference is, and if I would still be able to apply to jobs asking for a CMA? The program is about 3 months of in campus, and then 160 hours at a clinical site. I am very interested in this program, however I do not want to take it and find out that getting a CCMA would not let me be eligible for jobs as a CMA.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in retired LTC.

I think the party you need to ask is the school itself. They would give you the best answer. I have an opinion, but I hesitate to comment if I might be wrong.

Am not being a smarty as I say this. They could also answer any other questions you'd might have.

Good luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in GENERAL.

Meganktar,

Ask the school if CMA and CCMA designations are actually one in the same. Possibly one puts more emphasis on the clerical side and the other the nuts and bolts of clinical interaction with patients. Evaluate what they tell you care fully and don't be intimidated or hesitant to ask questions and get answers that make sense to you. These days the cost of college is so ridiculous that your chioice of a community college has become the only sane way to go to school without accumulating life destroying debt.

Just one warning: stay away from any for-profit school to get training. They will try to snag you by telling you beautiful lies and they are very nice but as the song goes "she's a devil in disguise."

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment