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Textbook
Introduction
1. Medical assistant
2. Electronic records
3. Medical terminology and anatomy
4. The fundamentals of infection control
5. Introduction to vital signs
6. The patient interview and history
7. The physical examination
8. Appointment scheduling
9. Insurance billing
10. Diagnostic coding and the ICD-10-CM System
11. Procedural coding
12. Medical billing and reimbursement essentials
13. Assisting with medical specialties
14. Assisting with the musculoskeletal system
15. Assisting with the cardiovascular system
16. Assisting with the respiratory system
17. Assisting with the nervous system
18. Anatomy and physiology of the urinary system
19. Assisting in obstetrics and gynecology
20. Assisting in endocrinology
21. Assisting in ophthalmology & otolaryngology
22. Assisting in gastroenterology
23. Assisting in the immune & lymphatic systems
24. Assisting in pediatrics: the developmental stages and care
25. The medical assistant’s role in caring for the older patient
26. The role of the medical assistant in physical therapy examination and assessment
27. Preparing for minor surgery: room, solutions, and supplies
28. Introduction to the clinical laboratory
29. Urinalysis
30. Blood collection
31. Analysis of blood
32. Electrocardiography and heart structure
33. The principles of pharmacology
34. Essential calculations and measurement systems
35. Solid, liquid, & solutions medication doses
36. Administering medications
37. Metabolism and core nutrient roles
38. Medical emergencies in the healthcare setting
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Introduction
Achievable CCMA

Introduction

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Welcome to the Achievable Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) course

The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) certification, administered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), is designed for medical assistants who perform clinical and administrative responsibilities in healthcare settings. Earning the CCMA credential demonstrates knowledge of the skills needed to support healthcare providers, work directly with patients, and contribute to safe and effective patient care.

Throughout this course, you’ll study the foundational, clinical, and administrative knowledge tested on the CCMA exam. This includes anatomy and physiology, medical terminology and pharmacology, patient intake and vital signs, general patient care, infection control, laboratory procedures, phlebotomy, EKG testing, patient education, administrative assisting, communication, and medical law and ethics.

This course is designed to align with the current NHA CCMA test plan and focuses on both the knowledge and critical-thinking skills you’ll need for the certification exam.

Eligibility

To take the CCMA exam, you must have a high school diploma or GED/high school equivalency, or be scheduled to earn one within the timeframe allowed by NHA.

You must also meet one of NHA’s medical assistant training, education, or work experience pathways. In general, this means completing a qualifying medical assistant training or education program or having qualifying supervised work experience in medical assisting.

Review NHA’s current eligibility requirements before registering to confirm that you meet the appropriate pathway.

Exam format

The CCMA exam is 3 hours long and contains 180 questions:

  • 150 scored questions
  • 30 unscored pretest questions

The 30 pretest questions do not affect your score. Because they are included throughout the exam and are not identified, you should approach every question as though it is scored.

Questions may require you to recall relevant knowledge, apply that knowledge to the duties of a medical assistant, and use critical thinking to determine the appropriate response in clinical and professional situations.

Content outline

The 150 scored questions are distributed across seven domains:

Domain Scored questions Exam weighting
Foundational Knowledge and Basic Science 15 10%
Anatomy and Physiology 8 5%
Clinical Patient Care 84 56%
Patient Care Coordination and Education 12 8%
Administrative Assisting 12 8%
Communication and Customer Service 12 8%
Medical Law and Ethics 7 5%

Clinical Patient Care is the largest domain, accounting for 84 of the 150 scored questions. It is divided into six areas:

  • Patient Intake and Vitals: 14 questions
  • General Patient Care: 28 questions
  • Infection Control and Safety: 15 questions
  • Point of Care Testing and Laboratory Procedures: 9 questions
  • Phlebotomy: 12 questions
  • EKG and Cardiovascular Testing: 6 questions

Tips for success

  • Study consistently rather than relying on last-minute cramming.
  • Don’t rely on memorization alone. Practice applying procedures, safety principles, and clinical knowledge to realistic situations.
  • Become comfortable with patient intake, vital signs, general patient care, infection control, laboratory procedures, phlebotomy, and EKG testing.
  • Complete practice questions regularly and carefully review why each answer is correct or incorrect.
  • Track your weaker areas and revisit them throughout your preparation.

The CCMA exam tests both what you know and how well you can apply that knowledge to the responsibilities of a medical assistant. As you study, focus on understanding why procedures are performed and how to respond appropriately in different patient-care situations.

Final thoughts

Clinical medical assistants perform a wide range of responsibilities that combine patient care, clinical procedures, communication, organization, and administrative support. Preparing for the CCMA exam gives you an opportunity to strengthen knowledge and skills that are relevant both to the certification exam and to professional practice.

At the end of the textbook, you’ll find additional information about exam registration, testing options, certification requirements, and preparing for test day.

Work through the material consistently, keep up with your reviews, and use practice questions to identify areas that need additional attention. By building both your knowledge and your ability to apply it, you’ll be prepared for the CCMA exam and the responsibilities of working as a clinical medical assistant.

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Introduction

Welcome to the Achievable Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) course

The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) certification, administered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), is designed for medical assistants who perform clinical and administrative responsibilities in healthcare settings. Earning the CCMA credential demonstrates knowledge of the skills needed to support healthcare providers, work directly with patients, and contribute to safe and effective patient care.

Throughout this course, you’ll study the foundational, clinical, and administrative knowledge tested on the CCMA exam. This includes anatomy and physiology, medical terminology and pharmacology, patient intake and vital signs, general patient care, infection control, laboratory procedures, phlebotomy, EKG testing, patient education, administrative assisting, communication, and medical law and ethics.

This course is designed to align with the current NHA CCMA test plan and focuses on both the knowledge and critical-thinking skills you’ll need for the certification exam.

Eligibility

To take the CCMA exam, you must have a high school diploma or GED/high school equivalency, or be scheduled to earn one within the timeframe allowed by NHA.

You must also meet one of NHA’s medical assistant training, education, or work experience pathways. In general, this means completing a qualifying medical assistant training or education program or having qualifying supervised work experience in medical assisting.

Review NHA’s current eligibility requirements before registering to confirm that you meet the appropriate pathway.

Exam format

The CCMA exam is 3 hours long and contains 180 questions:

  • 150 scored questions
  • 30 unscored pretest questions

The 30 pretest questions do not affect your score. Because they are included throughout the exam and are not identified, you should approach every question as though it is scored.

Questions may require you to recall relevant knowledge, apply that knowledge to the duties of a medical assistant, and use critical thinking to determine the appropriate response in clinical and professional situations.

Content outline

The 150 scored questions are distributed across seven domains:

Domain Scored questions Exam weighting
Foundational Knowledge and Basic Science 15 10%
Anatomy and Physiology 8 5%
Clinical Patient Care 84 56%
Patient Care Coordination and Education 12 8%
Administrative Assisting 12 8%
Communication and Customer Service 12 8%
Medical Law and Ethics 7 5%

Clinical Patient Care is the largest domain, accounting for 84 of the 150 scored questions. It is divided into six areas:

  • Patient Intake and Vitals: 14 questions
  • General Patient Care: 28 questions
  • Infection Control and Safety: 15 questions
  • Point of Care Testing and Laboratory Procedures: 9 questions
  • Phlebotomy: 12 questions
  • EKG and Cardiovascular Testing: 6 questions

Tips for success

  • Study consistently rather than relying on last-minute cramming.
  • Don’t rely on memorization alone. Practice applying procedures, safety principles, and clinical knowledge to realistic situations.
  • Become comfortable with patient intake, vital signs, general patient care, infection control, laboratory procedures, phlebotomy, and EKG testing.
  • Complete practice questions regularly and carefully review why each answer is correct or incorrect.
  • Track your weaker areas and revisit them throughout your preparation.

The CCMA exam tests both what you know and how well you can apply that knowledge to the responsibilities of a medical assistant. As you study, focus on understanding why procedures are performed and how to respond appropriately in different patient-care situations.

Final thoughts

Clinical medical assistants perform a wide range of responsibilities that combine patient care, clinical procedures, communication, organization, and administrative support. Preparing for the CCMA exam gives you an opportunity to strengthen knowledge and skills that are relevant both to the certification exam and to professional practice.

At the end of the textbook, you’ll find additional information about exam registration, testing options, certification requirements, and preparing for test day.

Work through the material consistently, keep up with your reviews, and use practice questions to identify areas that need additional attention. By building both your knowledge and your ability to apply it, you’ll be prepared for the CCMA exam and the responsibilities of working as a clinical medical assistant.