Office of Continuing Education

Certified Clinical Medical Assistants are among the most in-demand medical professionals. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) anticipates the need for 154,900 new medical assistants in the American health care system between now and 2028. This represents job growth over five times the rate expected for all jobs.

Medical Records Technicians are expected to encounter similarly bright employment prospects. According to CareerExplorer.com, job opportunities for medical records technicians are expected to grow by 13.5% between now and 2026.

The NHA envisions a new career dynamic in which medical assistants will need to work increasingly closely with Electronic Health Records due to changes in US government regulations. According

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 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 that many healthcare organizations 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 RECORDS 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 SPECIALIST A GOOD CAREER FOR REMOTE WORK?

Gain specialized skills needed to contribute to a healthcare team in an ambulatory setting

Learn the principles and practices of ethical behavior, therapeutic communication, patient privacy laws, medical terminology, and clinical procedures

Receive a broad overview of the electronic health records (HER) systems

Gain hands-on experience using real EHR software

Summarize the HIPAA Privacy Rule and HIPAA Security Rule

Explain the information contained in various medical records

Discuss government and private insurances

Identify the functions of the major body systems

Demonstrate how to write a chief complaint and obtain a patient history

Describe how to measure vital signs

Discuss the importance of medical and surgical asepsis

Summarize the basic guidelines for the administration of injections

Identify the three methods used to perform venipuncture

Managing patient visits, arranging follow-up care, and issuing prescriptions

Establish the appropriate EHR for a healthcare practice

Track of vital information such as patient allergies and medications

Communicate with patients and report public health information

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

Becoming a Medical Assistant

Managing Stress and Improving Communication

Law, Ethics, and Healthcare

Improving your Medical Office

Computers in the Ambulatory Care Setting

Telecommunications and Patient Scheduling

Enhancing the Patient Experience

Managing Medical Records

Written Communication

Working with Medical Documents

Medical Billing and Coding: An Overview

Daily Financial Practices

The Administrative Medical Assistant as Office Manager

Major Body Systems

Pathophysiology

Pharmacology

Nutrition and Special Diets

The Chief Complaint and Patient History

Recording Vital Signs

The Physical Examination

Specialty Exams and Procedures

Medical Asepsis and Infection Control

Surgical Asepsis and Sterilization Techniques

Surgical Instruments

Assisting with Minor Office Surgeries

Introduction to The Medical Laboratory

Basic Microbiology

Introduction to Phlebotomy

Basic Hematology

Electrocardiogram

Administering Noninjectable Medications

Basic Guidelines for Administration Of Injections

Diagnostic Imaging

Rehabilitation and Treatment Modalities

First Aid Techniques

Emergencies in The Medical Office

Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist

An Overview of EHR And CEHRS

Steps To EHR Implementation

The EHR Framework

HIPAA Requirements And EHR Systems

The EHR And Record Content

Patient Visit Management

Problem, Medication, And Allergy Lists

Examination/Assessment Notes, Graphics, And Charts

Treatment Plans, Orders, And Results

Medication Orders and Administration

Patient Communications

Coding, Billing, And Practice Reports

Research, Registries, And Reportable Events

Nancy Smith

Nancy Smith has over 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry. EHR clinical experience includes working as a medical assistant for a network of rural health clinics, and as a medical coder, insurance claims specialist, and medical records auditor. She worked as a medical office manager for ten years, where she recruited and trained all medical assistants. Nancy holds a bachelor's degree in vocational education and has developed and taught medical assistant programs.

Jennifer Della'Zanna

Jennifer Della'Zanna has more than 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry, having worked as a medical transcriptionist, practice administrator, biller, and coding specialist. She writes courses and study guides on the use of technology in health care and regularly contributes to publications about health issues. Della'Zanna is a member of the American Academy of Professional Coders and the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Albright College.

Rachael Delekta

Rachael Delekta is an MBA in Healthcare Administration and Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist. Rachael has been in the health care field for over ten years. She has worked mostly on the insurance side of things, as a customer service manager for dental insurance, a claims and customer service coach, and a workers' compensation case management biller and auditor. She works daily with medical records and healthcare software.

Carline Dalgleish

Carline Dalgleish has worked in medical office administration for over 30 years. She holds a bachelor's degree in Business Information Systems, a master's degree in Leadership, and a post-baccalaureate certificate in Health Information Management. She is a Registered Health Information Administrator and an AHIMA Approved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer. Dalgleish is the author of an ICD-10 coding system and also owns EHR own consulting firm, AnnGrant Educational Services.

Sharon L. Blackford