NJ Pathways Project Highlight: Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) Pilot Program
Center of Workforce Innovation for Patient Care
UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ (UCNJ) has successfully launched a pilot Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) Program, funded by the NJ Pathways Initiative. This 620-hour program, proposed to prepare 15 students for the healthcare industry, includes comprehensive training through 14 modules—12 didactic courses, a clinical internship, and a certification review course. The curriculum, including course syllabi, daily lesson plans, and materials, has been meticulously developed or refined to meet current industry standards.
The program was structured into two cohorts. The first cohort, consisting of six students, began on September 21, 2023, and concluded on March 27, 2024. All participants completed the program, with three students earning their EKG (CET) and Phlebotomy (CPT) certifications. Each student in the first cohort also achieved their Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Certification (CCMA) credential from the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) and Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association (AHA). Impressively, all completers from this cohort are currently employed as Certified Medical Assistants with employer partners such as Atlantic Health Systems, Hackensack Meridian Health, Saint Peter’s Healthcare System, Village MD, and Union County Healthcare Associates/MD Urgent Care Center.
The second cohort, which commenced on April 1, 2024, includes eight students and is expected to conclude on September 30, 2024. These students are making promising progress and were tested for their first certification, the CET, on July 8, 2024.
Instruction is delivered by qualified instructors in person, utilizing the UCNJ learning management system and additional online resources such as electronic textbooks, study guides, and practice exams. This structured educational approach ensures that the program aligns with the standards set by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), positioning students to successfully pass their certification exams and enter the healthcare workforce as competent, certified professionals.
