Medical Assistant

The goal of the Medical Assistant certificate program is to equip you with the knowledge, skills, and professional behaviors required to succeed as a Medical Assistant. You are advised to participate full-time for three consecutive terms to complete the program successfully.

To graduate, you will need to complete all Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB) Core Curriculum psychomotor (skills) and affective (behavioral) competencies. If you began the program before Summer 2023 and have not yet graduated, contact the Program Director about reentry requirements.

If you cannot attend full-time, meet with an advisor to develop a schedule that suits your needs. For more details about program structure and requirements, refer to the Medical Assistant Student Handbook.

Primary Course Locations

• 54% Online
• 36% CNM Rio Rancho/UNM Health Sciences Rio Rancho 
• 10% Practicum Site/Clinic 

For your convenience, the majority of the Medical Assistant certificate program is online, led by expert instructors. In-person lab classes, held in Rio Rancho, make up less than 40 percent of the total program. Check the class schedule for further details.

Working as a Medical Assistant

As a Medical Assistant, you will be cross-trained to perform both administrative and clinical duties in healthcare settings like clinics, doctor’s offices, and other medical facilities. Your skills will include medical office organization, patient care management, and health navigation.

The demand for Medical Assistants is projected to grow by 18 percent from 2020 to 2030. As healthcare needs rise due to an aging population, physicians will hire more Medical Assistants to manage routine tasks, allowing them to see more patients. Medical Assistants are crucial in the growing primary care sector, handling essential tasks that keep healthcare facilities running smoothly.

An increasing number of healthcare facilities, such as group practices and clinics, will also need Medical Assistants to handle both administrative and clinical responsibilities. As a graduate, you will be well-prepared for entry-level positions in a range of medical careers.

A recent graduate of CNM’s Medical Assistant program now works at UNM’s Comprehensive Cancer Center, caring for patients and assisting medical teams. Inspired by his own healthcare experiences, he pursued the program, balancing part-time work and classes at his own pace. He credits hands-on training and support from CNM instructors for preparing him for his new role, where he finds purpose in offering care and compassion to cancer patients.