Can we talk about how intense the CMA Job Corps program actually is?😭😭
When are we gonna talk about how intense the CMA Job Corps program is? 😭 People really don’t realize how much work goes into it. You have to complete two textbooks. The first is Medical Terminology, which helps you learn medical words, prefixes, suffixes, and how to break down terms. The second book covers the actual CMA material, including anatomy, clinical skills, administrative procedures, pharmacology, and more.
On top of that, the program is very assignment- and book-heavy. Depending on the chapter, you’ll have assignments, quizzes, SmartBook activities, virtual labs, EHR assignments, Google Classroom work, and a test.
It also feels like they have you learn a ton of information that many MAs won’t even use every day. I understand why they want us to have a strong foundation, but sometimes it feels like overkill. I appreciate the free education, but sometimes the amount of work can feel overwhelming.
On top of everything else, you still have to complete a 6-week externship and pass your CCMA exam. I came into the program thinking it wouldn’t take more than a year, but now that I’m in it, I’m realizing it’s realistically more like a 1½- to 2-year program to finish. Sometimes I feel like I would’ve been better off going to a 9-month accelerated MA program instead.