Certified Clinical Medical Assistant

• Prepare patients for exams 
• Take and record vital signs
• Assist providers during exams
• Collect  laboratory specimens 
• Perform wound care
• Administer injections  
• Perform EKGs 
• Draw blood 
• Patient education

To be eligible for the CMA certificate program, students must:

• Must hold a high school diploma or GED, or be within one year of completion, per National Healthcareer Association requirements.

• Median salary in 2024 for medical assistants is $21 per hour, $43,680 annual  
• Employment (2024) 811,000
• Projected to grow at a rate of 15% over the next ten years which is much faster than other professions job growth. 

All students accepted into the Clinical Medical Assisting program must complete a criminal background check through Castlebranch as a condition of admission into the program. Students with a history of felonies or multiple misdemeanors may not be accepted. Students shall be responsible for the required fees related to the criminal background check.

If a student’s criminal background check presents a positive personal history, the Dean of Allied Health and Emergency Services and/or the Vice President of Academic Affairs will review the findings to determine if the information would exclude the student from participating in the clinical experiences required in the program and thus exclude the student from being admitted into the dental assisting program.  Disqualifying offenses defined in Section 955.160 of the Health Care Worker Background Check Act is used to determine offenses that would prohibit admission into the program.  Details of disqualifying offenses can be found at

http://www.idph.state.il.us/nar/disconvictions.htm. If the student believes that the information is in error, they may obtain a fingerprint background check, at his/her own expense, to refute or confirm the initial findings.

Felony convictions may adversely affect their ability to sit for certification exams and to receive employment as a clinical medical assistant.

NHA will review the documentation related to each offense, and make a case-by-case determination in consultation with legal counsel as to the candidate’s eligibility to test, to earn certification or recertify.

Please note some medical facilities may require an additional criminal background check.  Cost of all criminal background checks will be at the student’s expense.  

All students accepted into the Clinical Medical Assisting program must complete a physical examination and demonstrate proof of immunizations and/or immunity.  The physical examination must be completed on provided forms. Your physician must thoroughly complete the form.

The physical examination must include the following:

• Evidence of completion of Hepatitis B immunization (series of three vaccines) or a signed waiver. If unable to verify the dates of the 3 vaccines, Hepatitis antibody titer to assess for immune status can be ordered by the provider. This titer should be at least 12 months after the Hepatitis vaccine dose #3.
• QuantiFERON-TB Gold blood test (QFT-G) completed within 12 months of admission.
• M.M.R. vaccination (2 doses required at least one month apart)  or  Titer indicating immunity

One of the above must be met.

Tetanus or booster within a 10-year period. If never immunized - 2 doses of TD, 4-8 weeks apart - Third dose 6-12 months later.

The cost of the physical exam and immunizations will be at the student’s expense.  

If a student has chosen not to be vaccinated due to medical, religious or cultural reasons they will be asked to sign an acknowledgement that they are aware that an off-campus learning facility may not accept the student without proof of immunizations. The program will not guarantee an alternate placement if a student is rejected from a clinical site. Documentation from a medical facility and/or clergy will be required if vaccines have not been completed. All other components of the required physical including the TB test must be completed.