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Everything You Need to Know About Clinical Medical Assistant (CMA) Training Courses in Montgomery County, MD

Are you considering a career in healthcare that involves direct patient care and essential clinical duties? Clinical Medical Assistant (CMA) training could be your pathway to a rewarding profession. In Montgomery County, MD, aspiring CMAs have the opportunity to embark on a transformative educational journey with Top Knowledge Healthcare Institute. 

What Is a Clinical Medical Assistant (CMA)?

A Clinical Medical Assistant (CMA) is a vital member of a healthcare team who assists physicians and other healthcare professionals in clinical settings such as hospitals, clinics, and medical offices. Their responsibilities include taking patient medical histories, preparing patients for examinations, assisting during procedures, administering medications under the direction of a physician, and performing basic laboratory tests. CMAs play a crucial role in ensuring efficient patient care delivery and maintaining the smooth operation of medical facilities.

Top Knowledge Healthcare Institute is offering CMA classes in Montgomery County. Reach out to us if you’re considering a career as a CMA! Sign up below to get more information.

What to Expect in CMA Training Courses

Approved by the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC), our CMA program is meticulously designed to equip students with the essential skills and knowledge required for success in clinical settings.

Upon successful completion of the Clinical Medical Assistant program, students will receive a certificate of completion from our institution, validating their dedication and achievement. Additionally, graduates will be eligible to sit for the national Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam administered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), opening doors to professional certification and advancement opportunities in the healthcare field.

Some of the things you can expect to learn include:

Medical Terminology

Understand medical terminology that is fundamental for effective communication in healthcare settings.

Anatomy & Physiology

Gain a basic understanding of human anatomy and physiology for performing clinical procedures and communicating with healthcare professionals.

Patient Care Procedures

Learn techniques for taking patient medical histories, preparing patients for examinations, and assisting with various clinical procedures.

Vital Signs Monitoring

Learn how to accurately measure and record vital signs such as blood pressure, temperature, pulse rate, and respiratory rate.

Medication Administration 

Understand proper techniques for administering medications, including injections and oral medications, dosage calculations, and medication safety protocols.

Medical Laboratory Procedures

Learn basic laboratory procedures such as specimen collection, handling, and processing, as well as performing simple diagnostic tests.

Medical Office Procedures

Develop proficiency in administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments, managing medical records, and billing procedures commonly performed in medical office settings.

Medical Ethics & Law

Understand ethical and legal considerations in healthcare, including patient confidentiality, informed consent, and HIPAA regulations.

Infection Control 

Learn techniques for preventing the spread of infections in clinical settings, including proper hand hygiene, sterilization, and disinfection procedures.

Emergency Procedures

Learn basic first aid techniques, CPR, and emergency response protocols for handling medical emergencies.

How Long Does CMA Training Take?

CMA training typically varies in duration based on the program’s format and intensity. Some programs offer accelerated options that can be completed in a matter of months, while others may extend over several months, especially if they include extensive clinical experience or internship components.

Top Knowledge Healthcare Institute offers CMA training with flexible scheduling options to accommodate different lifestyles. Our evening CMA training classes are held Monday through Thursday from 5:30 to 9:30 pm and span approximately 3 months. Alternatively, our weekend CMA training classes are held on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 am to 4 pm, also lasting about 3 months. Both programs require approximately 8 hours of additional weekly study outside of class to ensure comprehensive learning and skill development.

Where to Find CMA Training Classes in Montgomery County

Looking for reputable CMA training courses in Montgomery County, MD? Look no further than Top Knowledge Healthcare Institute. Situated in the heart of the county, our institute is dedicated to providing high-quality education and training for aspiring CMAs. We understand the importance of offering flexible scheduling options to meet the needs of our diverse student body, whether you’re balancing work, family, or other commitments.

What sets us apart from other training institutes is our state approval from MHEC. In addition, our commitment to hands-on learning and practical skill development. Our experienced instructors provide personalized attention and guidance to each student, ensuring they acquire the knowledge and proficiency needed to excel in their future roles as CMAs. Additionally, our facility creates an optimal learning environment where students engage in interactive lectures, simulation labs, and real-world clinical experiences.

With a focus on learning by doing, our curriculum incorporates practical, real-life scenarios that prepare students for the challenges they’ll encounter in the field. At Top Knowledge Healthcare Institute, we’re dedicated to empowering our students for success in their CMA careers.

Get Started with Top Knowledge Healthcare Institute’s CMA Training Classes in Montgomery County, MD

By choosing Top Knowledge Healthcare Institute for your CMA training, you’re not just enrolling in a program—you’re investing in your future career success. Contact us today to learn more about our training programs and start your journey toward becoming a skilled and competent CMA.

What You Need to Know About Pharmacy Technician Training Courses in Montgomery County, MD

Are you considering a career in healthcare that offers dynamic opportunities and a chance to make a meaningful impact? Pharmacy technician training could be the perfect pathway for you. Before enrolling in pharmacy technician training courses in Montgomery County, Maryland, it’s essential to understand what these programs entail and what to expect from the training process.

What Is a Pharmacy Technician?

A pharmacy technician is a healthcare professional who assists pharmacists in dispensing medications to patients. They work in various settings such as retail pharmacies, hospitals, long-term care facilities, mail-order pharmacies, and managed care facilities. Their responsibilities include preparing prescriptions, maintaining inventory, processing insurance claims, and providing customer service. Pharmacy technicians must have strong attention to detail, good communication skills, and a solid understanding of pharmaceutical terminology and practices.

Top Knowledge Healthcare Institute is offering Pharmacy Technician classes in Montgomery County. Reach out to us if you’re considering a career as a Pharmacy Technician! Sign up below to get more information.

What to Expect in Pharmacy Technician Training Courses

Pharmacy technician training courses cater to individuals with minimal or no prior pharmacy experience, as well as those seeking support in obtaining national certification.

Upon completing the course successfully, you’ll qualify to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) administered by the PTCB. A passing score on the PTCE enables you to register as a pharmacy technician in Maryland or any other state in the US that mandates national certification for registration or certification.

Some of the things you can expect to learn include:

Pharmacy Law and Ethics

Gain a comprehensive understanding of legal and ethical principles governing pharmacy practice.

Medications & Drug Classifications

Explore various medications and their classifications, including their uses and effects.

Prescription Processing & Preparation

Learn the intricacies of processing and preparing prescriptions accurately and efficiently.

Drug Compounding

Acquire skills in compounding medications according to specific patient needs and prescriptions.

Medication Safety & Error Prevention

Understand crucial protocols to ensure medication safety and minimize errors in pharmacy practice.

Pharmacy Calculations

Develop proficiency in performing pharmaceutical calculations essential for dosage determination and preparation.

Pharmacology

Dive into the fundamentals of pharmacology and other pertinent topics essential for a successful career as a pharmacy technician.

How Long Does Pharmacy Technician Training Take?

Pharmacy technician training typically ranges from several months to a year, depending on the program’s intensity and format. Some programs offer accelerated options that can be completed in as little as a few months, while others may be part-time and extend over several months. Additionally, online courses and traditional classroom-based programs may have varying durations.

Top Knowledge Healthcare Institute offers pharmacy technician training with flexible scheduling options to accommodate various lifestyles. Students can choose between evening or weekend programs, both available online with live instructors. The evening program spans approximately three months, with classes held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 pm to 9:30 pm, while the weekend program also runs for about three months, with classes on Saturdays from 9 am to 4 pm. Additionally, students are expected to dedicate at least 8 hours per week outside of class for online assignments.

Where to Find Pharmacy Technician Training Classes in Montgomery County

If you’re seeking top-notch pharmacy technician training courses in Montgomery County, MD, look no further than Top Knowledge Healthcare Institute. Our institute prides itself on offering comprehensive and dynamic training programs designed to equip aspiring pharmacy technicians with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in the field.

At Top Knowledge Healthcare Institute, we understand the importance of quality education. Our online platform, coupled with experienced instructors, ensures that students receive the same level of excellence as they would in a traditional classroom setting. Whether you’re a newcomer to the field or looking to enhance your existing skills, our courses cater to individuals at all levels of experience.

Conveniently accessible from Montgomery County, MD, our institute provides easy access to residents seeking quality education in healthcare. With flexible scheduling options, including evening and weekend programs conducted online with live instructors, we strive to accommodate the diverse needs of our students.

Get Started with Top Knowledge Healthcare Institute’s Pharmacy Technician Training Classes in Montgomery County, MD

Join us at Top Knowledge Healthcare Institute and take the first step towards a rewarding career as a pharmacy technician. Contact us today to learn more about our training programs and start your journey toward success in the healthcare industry.

Looking for Phlebotomy Classes in Montgomery County, MD

Considering enrolling in phlebotomy training courses in Montgomery County, Maryland? There are certain things to keep in mind.

What Exactly Is Phlebotomy?

The first thing to understand is precisely what phlebotomy is and what it entails. Phlebotomy is a practice involving the removal of blood from the body or the veins. This extracted blood is then used for the purpose of donation, medical testing, or other potential clinical uses.

The people who perform phlebotomy procedures are nurses, doctors, or specialized medical technicians such as phlebotomists specifically trained in this area.

Top Knowledge Healthcare will soon be offering MA classes in Montgomery County. Reach out to us if you’re considering a career as a Medical assistant (MA)! Sign up below to get more information.

What to Expect in Phlebotomy Courses

During a phlebotomy training course in Montgomery County, you’ll learn all of the aspects you need to learn to become a successful phlebotomist. Whether you’re planning on working in a laboratory, hospital, clinic, or blood donation center, you’ll learn what you need to know for any environment.

Some of the things you can expect to learn include:

  • Blood Collection Procedures – This is vital to the everyday duties of phlebotomists. Procedures you learn will include venipuncture techniques for various patients, including newborns, children, and seniors.
  • Lab Safety Practices – Learn about the different lab equipment and proper cleaning processes.
  • Point-of-Care Testing and Special Collections – Gain familiarity with unique and specific collection processes for blood and other bodily fluids.
  • Blood and Cell Make-Up – In your course, you’ll learn how infection affects both cells and blood and how to prevent any potential issues when drawing blood.
  • Physiology and Anatomy – Get a complete understanding of the core physiology and anatomy involved in phlebotomy especially the vascular system.
  • Medical Terminology – Learn the specific vocabulary used in phlebotomy, including technical and scientific terms.

How Long Does Phlebotomy Training Take?

Phlebotomy training program and course durations will depend on the type of program in which you’re enrolled. Programs can range anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.

Where to Find Phlebotomy Classes in Montgomery County

If you’re trying to find the best phlebotomy class in Montgomery County, MD, you’ll be able to get the training you need here at Top Knowledge Healthcare Institute. We can help you get the training and certification you need within 6-8 weeks.

To learn more about our phlebotomy training program, simply contact us and we’ll provide you with all of the information you need to get started. We’ll be opening new course offerings in Montgomery County soon!

Can You Get a CNA Certification Without a GED or High School Diploma?

If you’re interested in becoming a CNA, but you don’t have a high school diploma or GED, that’s okay! You can still attend classes, complete a CNA program, and take the GNA certification exam. Check out frequently asked questions about becoming a CNA without a GED or high school diploma and learn more about CNA programs below.

Do You Need a GED to Enroll in CNA Classes?

There are no state regulations stating that individuals are required to have a high school diploma or GED prior to attending nurse aide or CNA classes. However, some schools and nursing facilities offering CNA classes may require a high school diploma or equivalent (GED) to enroll in the program. A program coordinator at the school or nursing facility that is offering CNA classes should be able to tell you what is required.

At Top Knowledge Healthcare Institute, you are not required to have a high school diploma or GED to register for our CNA/GNA training program.

Do You Need a High School Diploma to be a CNA?

You do not need a high school diploma to become a CNA. In fact, plenty of successful CNAs never earned a GED or high school diploma.

While you don’t need a high school diploma of GED to become a CNA, having a diploma can certainly help improve your job prospects, considering some employers prefer to hire CNAs with a high school education. Additionally, if you plan to move into a different health care field or profession, you’ll need to have a GED or high school diploma.

How Long Is a CNA Program?

CNA programs vary in length, but they can take anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks to complete.

Top Knowledge Healthcare Institute offers a CNA/GNA certification program that is 115 total hours in length. Our daytime and evening CNA training programs are 5 weeks in duration, and our evening/weekend CNA training program is 6.5 weeks in duration.

Can I Get My CNA Online?

Many CNA programs—including Top Knowledge Healthcare Institute’s program—offer CNA classes online. However, there will always be an in-person component to CNA training programs.

How Much Do CNA Classes Cost?

The cost of CNA classes varies from program to program and state to state. However, CNA programs can cost up to $2,000 for tuition in addition to textbook costs and other fees.

At Top Knowledge Healthcare Institute, our total program cost is $1,395, including all tuition, textbook, and workbook fees.

How to Get Your CNA License Without a GED

1.    Complete a CNA Training Program

To become a CNA, you will need to complete a state-approved training program. Find a CNA training program that does not require you to have a high school diploma or GED.

Different states have different requirements for CNA training and certification. For example, CNA programs in Maryland must include a minimum of 100 hours of total training, with a minimum of 40 total clinical hours.

2.    Submit Your CNA Application

After completing your CNA classes, you must submit an application to be certified by your state’s Board of Nursing. It is important to note that having a criminal history can hinder you from becoming certified.

3.    Pass a Certification Exam

The final step is passing your GNA exam. The GNA certification exam is optional and must be taken within 12 months of your CNA program completion date.

Get Started with Top Knowledge Healthcare Institute’s CNA Classes—No GED or Diploma Required!

In-Person & Online CNA Classes Near You

You are not required to have a high school diploma or GED to register for our CNA/GNA training program. To learn more about Top Knowledge Healthcare Institute’s CNA/GNA certification training program, contact us today. We offer convenient weekend, daytime, and evening classes to help make it easier to achieve your goal of becoming a CNA or GNA.

Understanding the Breakdown of CNA Training Programs

cna training schoolWhen you’re learning about the various requirements for CNA certification, you probably see the same things over and over – theory, laboratory, and clinical components. If you’re considering enrolling in a CNA training program, becoming more informed about the various aspects of the program can be beneficial so that you know at least a little about what to expect. At Top Knowledge Healthcare Institute, our program will ensure all students are prepared to take their exam to become certified nursing assistants.

How Long Are CNA /GNA Certification Programs?

The CNA/GNA certification program is 135 hours in length. The program is divided into three separate components—the aforementioned theory, laboratory, and clinical components. The theory component is 60 hours, the laboratory component is 35 hours, and the clinical component is 40 hours. After the completion of the program, you will be prepared to take the certification exam.

What Does the Theory Component Teach?

During the theory component of the certification program, you’ll learn the necessary knowledge for performing basic patient care services for patients and residents alike. This care must be provided under the supervision of a licensed nurse. In the theory portion of the course, students are taught principles of hygiene and grooming, as well as measuring of vital signs, communication techniques, medical terminology, and more.

Other areas of study include:

  • Basic anatomy and physiology
  • Nutrition
  • Principles of toileting
  • Principles of infection control

Teaching methods during this portion of the training program include demonstration, gaming, group discussions, and more.

What to Expect from the Laboratory Portion of CNA Training

Alongside theory training in lectures, students in CNA training programs at Top Knowledge Healthcare Institute will learn everything they need for CNA certification requirements—including practical, hands-on skills including things like bed-making, feeding, hand washing, measuring vital signs and weight, transferring, moving, and positioning patients, and more. To ensure students are prepared for their careers, TKCHI has increased the minimum required hours for laboratory work from 16 to 35 hours, which has helped our students’ confidence levels, and has empowered them to become the best CNA/GNAs they can.

Clinical Training in Our Program

Finally, our students will receive clinical training. This is completed in the form of a 40-hour externship. With our program, student externships take place in a long-term care facility in the Baltimore area that is affiliated with the school. Before the externship, students are given an orientation to the facility as well as its policies and procedures.

Preparing for the GNA/CNA Exam with Top Knowledge Healthcare Institute

The goal of any CNA certification program is to prepare graduates for working in any healthcare setting. The program at Top Knowledge Healthcare Institute will ensure that students are prepared not only for the CNA exam, but also the GNA (geriatric nursing assistant) exam, which is not required to become a CNA , but is required if you want to work in a long-term care setting or on rehabilitation floors in some hospitals.

To learn more about the CNA/GNA program at Top Knowledge Healthcare Institute, contact us today.

A Guide to Free and Low-Cost CPR Classes in Baltimore, MD

If you need to find a class in Baltimore for your CPR or First Aid Certification, it can be a bit overwhelming to research all of the options available near you. Digging through all of the locations, different costs associated with classes, and the ones that are informational but don’t count toward certification can be a lot to take on, so we’re here to help.

At Top Knowledge Healthcare Institute, we understand the importance of being able to take CPR/First Aid classes and obtain all of the necessary certifications for your career, and that’s why we want to simplify your research process. Not only do we offer CPR/First Aid classes, but we’ve compiled a list of other free and low-cost CPR classes in Baltimore, Maryland, so you can choose the one that is best and most convenient for your schedule and budget.

Free CPR Classes in Baltimore

Though not a certification class, the Baltimore County Fire Department (BCFD) offers a class that teaches “Hands Only CPR.” Hands Only CPR is a technique that virtually anyone can perform in an emergency. It consists of three steps:

1. Call 911

2. Push hard and fast on the center of the victim’s chest

3. If possible, use a portable defibrillator, also known as an AED.

Hands Only CPR does not call for mouth-to-mouth contact, and keeps the victim’s blood pumping and flowing until professional help arrives. It is considered to be just as effective as traditional CPR, however the free class offered by the Baltimore County Fire Dept BCFD. is not a certification course, so if your career path requires certification, this may not be the best option. To register for this free class (which is also available in Spanish), click here.

$: The Basics from Baltimore County Fire Department

CPR courses offered by the BCFD include an interactive video, mannequin, ventilation device, automatic external defibrillator (AED), and an experienced instructor. This $35 class includes lessons and hands-on practices of the procedures necessary to clear airways, recognize the symptoms of a heart attack and assist someone who is having one, assess an unresponsive person, and administer CPR to a victim. Find out more about scheduling and registration by visiting the BCFD’s website.

$$: Top Knowledge CPR/First Aid Classes

Top Knowledge Healthcare Institute offers a low-cost CPR/First Aid Certification class in Baltimore, as well. Here, a certified American Heart Association instructor will offer a class during our course for students who do not have their CPR/First Aid Certification. The cost of this 5-hour class is $70. For upcoming classes or to register, contact TKHCI.

$$$: American Red Cross and Chesapeake AED Services

The American Red Cross presents an adult CPR/AED class several times a month in Baltimore. The course is offered online and in a classroom, and costs participants $70.

Finally, Chesapeake AED Services offers American Heart Association CPR, AED, and First Aid courses for people every month at their training facility in Baltimore County. Check their schedule online to register for their $80 class.

For more information about free and low-cost CPR/First Aid Certification courses, contact Top Knowledge Healthcare Institute today.