- NHA (National Healthcareer Association)
- The certifying body that develops, administers, and awards the CCMA credential and other allied-health certifications. It sets the exam standards, fees, and passing requirements candidates must meet.
- Scaled Score
- A converted score that adjusts raw results to a common scale so that different exam versions are comparable in difficulty. On the CCMA exam a scaled score of 390 or higher is required to pass.
- Scored Questions
- The exam items that actually count toward a candidate's result, as opposed to unscored pretest items being evaluated for future use. The CCMA exam contains 150 scored questions.
- Phlebotomy
- The clinical practice of drawing blood from a patient, typically by venipuncture, for laboratory testing, transfusions, or donation. It is a core clinical skill assessed on the CCMA exam.
- Venipuncture
- The specific technique of puncturing a vein with a needle to collect a blood sample or administer fluids. It is the most common method used in phlebotomy.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG)
- A diagnostic recording of the heart's electrical activity captured through electrodes placed on the skin. Medical assistants must know how to perform and troubleshoot this procedure.
- Vital Signs
- The core physiological measurements—temperature, pulse, respiration rate, and blood pressure—used to assess a patient's basic body functions. Accurate measurement and documentation are fundamental clinical MA duties.
- Asepsis
- The condition or set of practices aimed at keeping an environment free from disease-causing microorganisms. Medical assistants apply aseptic technique to prevent infection during clinical procedures.
- HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)
- A U.S. law that establishes national standards for protecting the privacy and security of patients' health information. Medical assistants must safeguard protected health information (PHI) in compliance with it.
- Scope of Practice
- The legally and professionally defined boundaries of the tasks a medical assistant is permitted to perform, which vary by state and delegating provider. Working within it is an ethical and legal obligation.
- Pharmacology
- The study of medications, including their actions, dosages, routes of administration, and side effects. Clinical medical assistants apply pharmacology knowledge when preparing and administering medications under provider direction.
- CCMA (Certified Clinical Medical Assistant)
- A national certification credential awarded by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) to medical assistants who demonstrate competency in both clinical and administrative duties. Earning it requires passing the CCMA exam, which costs $165.