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SUNY Suffolk has a well-earned reputation for helping Long Islanders enhance their careers and improve their lives – especially in health-related occupations. Partnering with Catholic Health and the Suffolk County Department of Labor, our Clinical Medical Assisting Program provides students with a great opportunity to earn a certificate and enter a rewarding healthcare occupation.
Clinical medical assistants are a vital part of a patient’s healthcare. They often see patients at the beginning and end of medical visits and are critical to ensuring that patients are ready to receive care and service when visiting a physician’s office, clinic, other ambulatory care settings, and hospitals—like Catholic Health’s six hospitals located across Long Island.
What is a clinical medical assistant?
Clinical medical assistants (CMA’s) are much-needed members of every health care team. Their role is to provide a wide range of administrative and clinical services to patients. As the region’s population continues to age, their health care needs become more complex and the demand for CMAs will increase.
What is the clinical medical assisting program?
Through SUNY Suffolk’s Office for Continuing Education, students will earn a Clinical Medical Assisting certificate. Classes will take place largely online, with lab classes held on the college’s Eastern Campus in Riverhead. Students must be accepted into and successfully complete mandatory externship through one of our health care partners.
Are Scholarships available?
The program tuition cost is $3,299. Suffolk County residents who meet certain criteria can apply for tuition assistance through the Suffolk County Department of Labor.
How can I learn more and apply?
Interested individuals are invited to complete the information request form on this page for a follow-up by the college, and schedule a meeting with the CMA representative.
When do classes begin?
The Clinical Medical Assisting Program is a seven-and-a-half month program that is available in the Spring and Fall semesters.
What is the curriculum?
The program includes:
- Administrative training on day-to-day activities in a medical setting, such as speaking with patients, scheduling their appointments, processing insurance forms and electronic medical record management.
- Clinical training on what happens with patients in the examination room, such as checking vitals, documenting information, perform EKG, phlebotomy, obtaining labs and providing education.
What is an externship?
An externship is required to fulfill all programmatic requirements. Each student must complete 80 hours onsite in a medical office or ambulatory center to complete the program.
Are there job opportunities after graduation?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics show employment of clinical medical assistant is projected to grow 14% from 2022-2032, much faster than the average occupations.
“Our new Clinical Medical Assisting Program is an example of how we partner with businesses to meet the employment needs of Suffolk County residents and local employers like Catholic Health.”
Dr. Edward Bonahue, President of SUNY Suffolk
“There is great demand for Medical Assistants on Long Island. We’re honored to partner with SUNY Suffolk to support this new program with new MAs who can meet the needs of our patients.”
Patrick O’Shaughnessy, Catholic Health President & CEO
For more information, please contact the Office of Continuing Education at (631) 451-4114 or send us a message here.