with BHS students Isabelle Flores and Megan Neisig
Q. Describe what a certified clinical medical assistant, or CCMA, does.
A. We get to do things like giving injections, taking vital signs, operating EKGs and interpreting them, and eventually, we’ll begin phlebotomy. We’re doing all of this while only being 16, 17 or 18 years old. It’s an amazing experience!
Q. What are some things that students in the BHS CCMA program get to do?
A. We are able to get in so much practice. We recently performed a health screening where we got teachers and parents to show up so we could take their vital signs. We also have the opportunity to go to the nursing home and take vital signs there. We have also given a few vaccines to their residents.
Q. What has been the best experience so far?
A. Definitely the injections! We haven’t even gotten to phlebotomy yet but the injections are so much fun. Some people say ouch, some people scream and some people take it like a pro. It’s interesting to see how someone will react to it. It’s mind-boggling that I am 18 and I can give injections!
Q. How do you become a certified clinical medical assistant?
A. There are a few different types of medical assistants, and the program we offer is for a CCMA. You must have a high school diploma or GED, so these students will have to get a provisional certification until they graduate. You also have to complete a training program or you can work as a medical assistant for a year and sit for the test with NHA. Most facilities now require an actual certification, so this option at BHS is a great way for students to make themselves highly qualified to get a job in the medical field right out of high school.
Q. Megan, what do you plan to do with your certification after high school?
A. For me personally, I’ll go to work as a CMA during college to provide for myself while I continue to further my education in the medical field. It’s nice to already have an idea of what to expect before I actually get too far. It’s very worthwhile.
