Clinical Medical Assisting

  • Start date: Revolving
  • Duration: 11 Weeks
  • Level: Beginner
  • Location: On-Site

Because of the high demand for Medical Assistants with phlebotomy skills, CSP offers Clinical Medical Assistant programs suitable for all experience levels. We are committed to teaching the essential fundamentals for starting a career as a Medical Assistant. Students gain valuable experience in both hands on teaching and understanding the premise of direct patient care.

Our comprehensive courses will allow you to learn the techniques for performing accurate vitals, medical histories, phlebotomy, CLIA-waived testing, wound dressing, injections and front office standard procedures. Our instructors will guide you as you gain a thorough understanding of the following:

  • EKG Administration
  • Laboratory & CLIA-Waived Tests
  • Phlebotomy & Specimen Handling
  • Medications & Pharmacology
  • Patient & Exam Room Preparation
  • Charting & Medical Histories
  • HIPAA & Patient's Rights
  • Standard Precautions & Safety
  • Medical Terminology
  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Injections & Wound Dressing
  • Professionalism & Office Tasks

  • Clinical Medical Assisting Programs Admissions Requirements:

  • 18 Years of Age or Older
  • High School Diploma, GED, or International High School Diploma Equivalency

  • For 11 weeks, students will met twice a week for lecture and hands-on labs (CMA). Students with an initial overall grade of B or higher and instructor recommendation are eligible for an optional clinical externship placement in the 3 months following the end of the program, by registering for CMX.

  • CMA Total Cost: $2,300
  • CMX Total Cost: $300 (optional)

  • See upcoming class dates on the schedule page and register today to secure your seat in an upcoming session!


    The 11-Week medical assisting program consists of the three/four following parts:

    Lecture Skills Lab Assessments Externship
    Two sessions per week for 11 weeks, with each session lasting 4 hours. Mechanics of equipment and hands-on guidance. Nine quizzes are required and given weekly in class. Optional for graduates with an initiall overallgrade of B or higher and instructor recommendation.
    A book is provided to you for reference during and after the program. Anthropometric measurements, vital signs, and patient interaction simulations. Comprehensive multiple-choice final examination and national certification exam. 40-hour to 120-hour placement in a clinical patient care setting.
    Material is presented by a qualified and state approved instructor and overseen by a physician. Sample collection, preparation, handling, and comprehensive charting skills. Final evaluation of your practical skills at the end of the program. Coordinated by the school at one of our partner facilities.

    The following is the break-down for tuition and fees for the Clinical Medical Assisting program:

    • Registration Fee: $100
    • Tuition: $1000
    • Laboratory Fee: $800
    • Books and Supplies: $250
    • National Certification Exam Fee: $150
    Registration fee is due to hold your seat in the program and is nonrefundable after 3 business days

    Payment plans are available to divide the cost of the program over the time you are enrolled. These plans are provided at no additional cost and available to all students. You can choose one of the three payment plans listed below to pay for your enrollment in the Clinical Medical Assisting program at CSP:

    Plan A Plan B Plan C
    Registration Fee $100 at Registration $100 at Registration $100 at Registration
    Week 1 $1200 $200 $400
    Week 2 $100 $200 $0
    Week 3 $100 $200 $400
    Week 4 $100 $200 $0
    Week 5 $100 $200 $400
    Week 6 $100 $200 $0
    Week 7 $100 $200 $400
    Week 8 $100 $200 $0
    Week 9 $100 $200 $400
    Week 10 $100 $200 $0
    Week 11 $100 $200 $200

    Chicago School of Phlebotomy does not require students to participate in clinical externships because the various needs of students do not make it a necessary aspect of the educational experience for all of our learners. If you believe the externship would be beneficial to you as you get started in the field of medical assisting, externships are available for graduates of the Clinical Medical Assisting. Students are eligible for placement within 3 months of the last day of program schedule. Students must have completed the entire program, including successfully passing the CCMA exam, and must have finished the program with an initial overall grade of B or higher. A positive recommendation letter from your instructor is required to be eligible to placement.

    The total cost of placement in a Clinical Medical Assisting externship is $300 ($100 due at time of registration, $200 due at time of acceptance of the assignment).

    The clinical externship is between 40-hours and 120-hours in length, depending on the preference of the hosting facility, and is an unpaid placement. Our externship coordinator will determine the site and date of your placement with one of our many partner facilities and will communicate with you about the requirements that must be completed before placement. These vary based on site, but include health and other screenings such as immunization records, TB tests, background checks, and health assessments by a physician. The cost of completing these requirements is an out-of-pocket expense for the student. Placements can be anywhere within the greater Chicagoland area and the schedule will be set by the hosting facility. Hours are not flexible and almost always performed during normal business hours on weekdays, Monday through Friday, but the exact schedule will be facility-dictated.

    The Chicago School of Phlebotomy is an approved Clinical Medical Assisting certificate program through the Illinois Board of Higher Education. Students who have successfully completed the Clinical Medical Assisting program will sit for an accredited national examination through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) to become a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) on the last day of the program. Successful completion of the CCMA exam is required to pass the program at CSP so every single graduate of the CMA program leaves school certified and ready for the job market.

    Students do not need to register for the CCMA exam until directed to do so by their instructor. The following is a list of dates when current and future classes will be participating in the CCMA exam for the reference of students who need to schedule a retake or makeup exam:

    TESTING DATEEXAM TIMEREG. CLOSES
    CMA - October 23, 20235:00pm October 13, 2023
    CMA - October 26, 20235:00pm October 16, 2023
    CMA - November 16, 20235:00pm November 06, 2023
    CMA - November 26, 20235:00pm November 16, 2023
    CMA - January 16, 20245:00pm January 06, 2024
    CMA - January 22, 20245:00pm January 12, 2024
    CMA - February 08, 20245:00pm January 29, 2024
    CMA - February 18, 20245:00pm February 08, 2024

    One of the major factors to consider when pursuing education in any field is the what the hiring market looks like for students after graduation. While no school can guarantee that graduates will find a job, CSP is committed to providing career assistance services that will guide the student through the job application process.

    Quick Facts Medical Assistants
    2015 Median Pay $30,590 per year ($14.71 per hour)
    Typical Entry-Level Education Postsecondary nondegree award
    Work Experience Required in a Related Occupation None
    Additional On-the-job Training Required None
    Number of Jobs (2014) 591,300
    Job Outlook (2014-2024) 23% (Much faster than average)
    Employment Change (2014-2024) 138,900

    Data Table From: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition, Medical Assistants, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm (data retrieved September 12, 2016).

    The NHA CCMA exam is required to complete the Clinical Medical Assisting class and is administered on the final day in class.

    Upcoming 2023/2024 Clinical Medical Assisting Schedule

    Classes meet twice a week for 11 weeks.

    CSPCMA Monday/Wednesday Afternoon 1:30 PM - 5:30 PM
    CLASS/IDSTART DATEEND DATESEATS
    CMA6621 February 27, 2023 May 10, 2023 Closed
    CMA6622 May 15, 2023 August 02, 2023 Closed
    CMA6623 August 07, 2023 October 23, 2023 Closed
    CMA6624 October 30, 2023 January 22, 2024 Open
    CSPCMA Saturday/Sunday Afternoon 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
    CLASS/IDSTART DATEEND DATESEATS
    CMA6608 April 15, 2023 June 25, 2023 Closed
    CMA6609 July 01, 2023 September 10, 2023 Closed
    CMA6610 September 16, 2023 November 26, 2023 Closed
    CMA6611 December 02, 2023 February 18, 2024 Open
    CSPCMA Tuesday/Thursday Evenings 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
    CLASS/IDSTART DATEEND DATESEATS
    CMA6617 March 07, 2023 May 18, 2023 Closed
    CMA6618 May 23, 2023 August 08, 2023 Closed
    CMA6619 August 15, 2023 October 26, 2023 Closed
    CMA6620 October 31, 2023 January 16, 2024 Open
    CSPCMA Tuesday/Thursday Mornings 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
    CLASS/IDSTART DATEEND DATESEATS
    CMA6613 March 28, 2023 June 08, 2023 Closed
    CMA6614 June 13, 2023 August 29, 2023 Closed
    CMA6615 September 05, 2023 November 16, 2023 Closed
    CMA6616 November 28, 2023 February 08, 2024 Open
    CHICAGO SCHOOL OF PHLEBOTOMY
    2017