Clinical Medical Assistant C.T.S.
Medical Assistants are cross-trained with skills and knowledge in front office administrative, clinical, and limited laboratory procedures that are designed to assist healthcare practitioners in administering to the needs of patients. Physicians appreciate the versatility of medical assistants and their role as vital partners in ambulatory settings. The program is designed to prepare the student for an entry-level position in Clinical Medical Assisting that will prepare them for a Certified Clinical Medical Assisting credential. Students can choose to continue their education and complete the AAS in Medical Assisting that makes them eligible for the Registered Medical Assisting credential upon graduation.
Upon completion of the program students will learn:
- To assist with medical examinations, vital signs, administering medications and injections (under supervision), sterilizing instruments, and electrocardiography.
- Laboratory skills will include venipuncture (under supervision) and performing selected CLIA-waived laboratory tests.
- Become acquainted with the laws and regulations governing medicine in the ambulatory setting, as well as ethical issues being confronted in the health care arena.
- Perform computer-based tasks such as electronic health records and scheduling.
- Effectively communicate with provider and patients.
- Triage messages between patients and physicians.
General Certificate Requirements
Additional requirements for graduation can be found on the Degree/Certificate Requirements for Graduation page.
Unless otherwise noted in individual program requirements, a minimum grade point average of 2.00 in all work attempted at the University of Montana-Missoula is required for graduation. Please see the Academic Policies and Procedures page for information on how your GPA is calculated.
Courses taken to satisfy the requirements of a major, minor, or certificate program must be completed with a grade of C- or better unless a higher grade is noted in the program requirements.
Online Program Option
This program may be completed in an online format. Students interested in pursuing an online degree or certificate program are strongly encouraged to contact the offering department to discuss specific program and course modalities and create a plan of study with an academic advisor. The course requirements listed below may not be consistently offered via online delivery.
Certificate of Technical Studies - Clinical Medical Assistant
Course Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete all of the following courses: | ||
| AHMA 198 | Internship/Externship | 5 |
| AHMA 201 | Medical Assistance and Clinical Procedures I | 4 |
| AHMA 280 | Medical Assisting Exam Prep | 3 |
| AHMS 144 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| AHMS 156 | Medical Billing Fundamentals | 3 |
| AHMS 220 | Medical Office Procedures | 4 |
| BIOH 104N & BIOH 105N | Basic Human Biology and Basic Human Biology Laboratory | 3-4 |
| or BIOH 112 | Human Form and Function I | |
| or BIOH 113 | Human Form and Function II | |
| Total Hours | 25-26 | |
One Year Plan
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Autumn | Hours | |
| AHMS 144 | Medical Terminology 1 | 3 |
| AHMS 156 | Medical Billing Fundamentals 2 | 3 |
| AHMS 220 | Medical Office Procedures 3 | 4 |
| BIOH 104N or BIOH 112 |
Basic Human Biology or Human Form and Function I |
3 |
| BIOH 105N or BIOH 113 |
Basic Human Biology Laboratory or Human Form and Function II |
1 |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| AHMA 198 | Internship/Externship 4 | 5 |
| AHMA 201 | Medical Assistance and Clinical Procedures I 5 | 4 |
| AHMA 280 | Medical Assisting Exam Prep 2 | 3 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 26 | |
- 1
Offered online in Fall/Spring/Summer.
- 2
Second 8 weeks
- 3
First 8 weeks
- 4
Must be taken with AHMS 201. Requires 200 clinical hours at a local healthcare facility, can extend over Summer.
- 5
3 hours in-person once a week.
Last updated Fall 2025