Become a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant and CEHR Specialist
This course will train you in two fast-growing careers that are essential to medical offices. Clinical medical assistants manage patient care, logistics and documentation. Today, most healthcare providers use electronic health record (EHR) systems as the central information repositories for patient care. Being trained as an electronic health record specialist is an attractive skillset for many employers. This 100% online course will prepare you to sit for the National Healthcareer Association’s (NHA) CCMA (Certified Clinical Medical Assistant) and CEHRS (Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist) certification exams.
Job Outlook for Clinical Medical Assistant and Electronic Health Records Specialists
- Certified clinical medical assistants (CCMAs) are critical healthcare team members in a variety of medical settings. As a CCMA, you are often the first and last person a patient interacts with, making a lasting impact on the overall patient experience. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) anticipates a 16% increase in job demand, which equates to 117,800 new job opportunities between now and 2031. This is five times the average growth rate expected for all jobs.
- You will also be trained in electronic health record (EHR) systems and prepare to earn your CEHRS certification. In this training, you will learn how staff members and patients interact with EHR systems, what benefits these systems provide, and the steps to implementing an EHR system. Medical records technicians are also expected to encounter similarly bright employment prospects. According to the BLS, job opportunities for medical records technicians are expected to grow by 7%, or 12,300 new job openings between now and 2031.
- The NHA envisions a new career dynamic in which medical assistants will need to work more closely with electronic health records due to changes in U.S. government regulations. The BLS estimates these highly qualified specialists can expect to earn $46,660 per year on average.
Clinical Medical Assistant and EHR Specialist FAQs
How does a clinical medical assistant’s work involve electronic health records?
Electronic health records (EHR) act as portable records of a patient’s healthcare experience. According to the NHA, certified medical assistants can enter information into EHR systems. In many cases, medical assistants who take on this responsibility help doctors see and treat patients more efficiently and may help reduce errors in medical procedures and their documentation.
Is certification important for a clinical medical medical assistant?
While certification requirements vary by location and organization, earning a certification such as the CCMA can help designate a prospective medical assistant as a serious professional. The NHA also notes as of 2020 that approximately 89% of employers now require certification for career paths that lead to promotion or emerging roles such as health coach, patient navigator or patient care coordinator.
What does an electronic health recrods specialist’s work involve?
While a medical assistant works directly with healthcare professionals and patients, the EHR Specialist is focused on the electronic documentation of the patient’s care and condition. EHR Specialist job activities might include:
- Auditing patient records for compliance with government or insurance requirements
- Abstracting clinical information for reporting purposes
- Performing basic coding for reimbursement claims
- Processing Release of Information (ROI) requests for medical records
- Reviewing patient records for completion and accuracy
- Collecting patient information for demographic and insurance reports
- Discussing patient information with physicians and insurance professionals
Is electronic health records specailsit a good career for remote work?
Because electronic records are held and updated online, EHR Specialist is considered an option for a remote or home-based career. ZipRecruiter.com reports that most employers will require that remote team members have strong, secure internet connections and most will require certification.
Course Objectives
- Gain the skills needed to contribute to a healthcare team in an ambulatory setting
- Learn to manage patient visits, arranging follow-up care, and issuing prescriptions
- Understand ethical behavior, therapeutic communication, patient privacy laws, medical terminology, and clinical procedures
- Identify the functions of the major body systems, how to measure vital signs, and perform injections and venipuncture
- Introduction to electronic health records (EHR) systems with hands-on experience using real EHR software
- Prepare to sit for the National Healthcareer Association’s (NHA) CCMA and CEHRS certification exams
- Gain the opportunity to become CPR certified and participate in an unpaid clinical experience
Prerequisites:
There are no prerequisites to take this course. However, you will need a high school diploma or GED in order to take the CCMA and CEHRS exams.
Curriculum
Medical Terminology
Introduction to Medical Terminology
The Musculoskeletal System
The Cardiovascular System
The Lymphatic and Immune Systems
The Respiratory System
The Digestive System
The Urinary System
The Nervous System
The Special Senses, The Eyes and Ears
The Integumentary System
The Endocrine System
The Reproductive System
Diagnostic Procedures, Nuclear Medicine, Pharmacology
Certified Clinical Medical Assistant
Introduction to Medical Assisting
Telecommunications, Written Communications, Computers, and the Medical Office Environment
Patient Scheduling and Managing Medical Records
Medical Insurance and Coding
The Revenue Cycle
CPR Certification
Pharmacology Fundamentals
Pathophysiology
Infection Control and Medical Asepsis
Chief Complaint, Patient History, and Vital Signs
Assisting with Examinations
The Physician’s Office Laboratory
Cardiology and Diagnostic Imaging Procedures
Surgical Asepsis and Minor Office Surgeries
Medication Administration Procedures
Emergencies, First Aid, and Mental Health in the Medical Office
Rehabilitation and Nutrition
Workplace Readiness
Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist
An Overview of EHR and CEHRS
An Introduction to MOSS 3.0
History of EHRs
Steps to EHR Implementation
The EHR Framework
HIPAA Requirements and EHR Systems
The EHR and Record Content
Lists, Treatment Plans, Orders, and Results
Patient Visit Management
Coding, Billing, and Practice Reports
Patient Communications
Practice Reports, Research, Registries, and Reportable Events
Personal Health Records and Continuing Care Records