SPC Plainview Center to Offer Clinical Medical Assistant Training
South Plains College Plainview Center will offer a Clinical Medical Assistant course to train people to work in healthcare.
The course is scheduled to start January 25 through July 16 from 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday at the SPC Plainview Center, 1920 W. 24th St. Clinicals are slated for Saturdays from January 25 through July 16 TBD at Covenant. According to the SPC website, the program’s cost is $1,230.
Students will train to perform administrative and clinical duties under the direction of a healthcare manager or physician.
Administrative duties of a CMA typically include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical responsibilities include:
- Taking and recording vital signs and medical histories.
- Preparing patients for examinations.
- Drawing blood.
- Administer medications as directed by a physician or healthcare manager and assist with in-office procedures and minor surgeries.
Participating students will complete the 238-hours of classroom and clinical instructions. They can then sit for the NHA Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Examination.
CPR Certification is required and offered at set times during the CMA training. In addition, the CCMA license must be renewed by exam every two years.
Students should complete the SPC Continuing Education Application to register for the course at: https://ce.southplainscollege.edu/Ellucian.ERecruting.Web.External/Pages/welcome.aspx.
Students must provide proof of immunization for several illnesses. MMR – 2 shot series or TITER; Current negative TB Test (not older than one year before the first class day; Hepatitis B Series or TITER (HEP B – only titer needed if the student cannot find shot record or is in middle of series). Varicella or proof of chickenpox, the flu shot is required for all students enrolled between October 1 and March 31.
Students must also provide identification with names matching on all documents and not expire before the end of class; a valid driver’s license or ID; and a Social Security card. A criminal background check will be performed for all students. If there is any proof of whether the student has any criminal background, no refunds will be given. Students must be at least 18 years of age. Students can register at the SPC Plainview Center or SPC Lubbock Center. No one will be allowed to register or pay for this class without all requirements being met.
The program’s goal is to help combat clinical staff shortages, an issue especially noticeable in rural communities like Plainview, according to Homer Marquez, manager of business operations for Covenant Health Plainview.
“Recent medical staff shortages have critically affected patient care, especially in our rural area,” he noted in a news release from the hospital. “This program will help fill our clinics with the good-hearted and compassionate people of our community.”
Certified Medical Assistants are trained more specifically to work in a clinic setting instead of a hospital setting, like a Certified Nursing Assistant, he said, adding that the Plainview branch of Covenant Health operates ten clinics.
The program, which Juan Gonzalez will teach, LVN with Covenant Health Plainview, will teach administrative and some clinical duties. Students will have to be trained in the classroom and through clinical.
The instructional hours will prepare students for the National Healthcareer Association’s Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Exam, which they must pass to become a CMA.
The CMA certification also requires CPR certification, offered through the program.
Interested applicants must complete an application – available at http://www.southplainscollege.edu/community/continuinged/clinicalmedicalassistant.php.
Program participants will meet from Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-9 p.m. at the Plainview Center and Saturdays at Covenant Health Plainview to be decided for the duration of the program, which ends July 16.
