Centralia College is launching a new nine-month certificate option in medical assisting, providing a fast track option to get adults certified in three healthcare areas at once — medical assisting, phlebotomy and electrocardiogram (EKG).
Registration for the new Certificate of Proficiency in Medical Assisting is now open, according to a news release from the college.
Classes will start Sept. 21.
“The Certificate of Proficiency is a focused, three-term, 70-unit credential that moves students directly into the professional sequence, making it ideal for career changers and those who need a faster, more direct route to employment,” said Becky Coleman, dean of career and technical education.
The college will continue to offer its two-year associate in applied science degree in medical assisting. Registration for that program is now open, as well. The longer, more advanced program prepares students for long-term career advancement and may be transferable for further education in the healthcare field.
Both credentials prepare students to sit for three nationally recognized industry certifications through the National Healthcareer Association — the certified phlebotomy technician (CPT), the certified EKG technician (CET) and the certified clinical medical assistant (CCMA).
“Earning all three certifications within a single program makes Centralia College graduates exceptionally competitive in a regional healthcare market where employers need people who are able to wear multiple hats,” Coleman said. “The certificate also functions as a stackable credential; students who complete the CCMA and later choose to pursue the associate in applied science may do so without repeating any coursework, creating a clear and efficient educational pathway that honors the time and investment students have already made.”
To learn more about medical assisting or other healthcare career training options, visit www.centralia.edu or stop by the Welcome Desk inside the TransAlta Commons building at Centralia College.
