The latest fast-track course available at Jefferson State Community College’s Clanton Campus is focused on a quickly growing industry.

The local Jeff State campus is offering a clinical medical assistant program from April 11 until Sept. 15.

Classes will be held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5:30-9:30 p.m.

“Jeff State is proud to be able to offer these types of fast-track workforce-ready classes as an alternative to the traditional academic route,” said Ashley Kitchens, Clanton campus division chair. “These classes allow students the ability to learn their trade efficiently and effectively and transition into a much-needed specialty in the job market.”

Clinical medical assistants serve an integral function to keep the offices of physicians and health practitioners running smoothly, according to information distributed by Jeff State. Clinical medical assistants may be called upon to perform direct medical duties under the supervision of a physician such as collecting and preparing laboratory specimens or sterilizing medical instruments. They may also instruct patients about medications and special diets, prepare patients for X-rays, take electrocardiograms, remove sutures and change dressings.

Clinical medical assistants may also perform administrative duties, including answering telephones, greeting patients, updating and filing patients’ medical records, handling correspondence, scheduling appointments, arranging for hospital admission and laboratory services and handling billing and bookkeeping.

The program is 300 hours including 96 hours spent in clinical rotations.

Registration is $1,695 with a “pay-as-you-go” option that divides class fees into three payments.

Class size should range from eight to 18 students, with curriculum topics including medical terminology, patient assessment and vital signs, phlebotomy, pharmacology and EKG. In addition to lecture, skills training and clinicals, the program prepares students to sit for the NHA national certification exam.

Employment of medical assistants is expected to grow 34 percent from 2008-2018, much faster than the average for all occupations, according to information distributed by Jeff State.

Medical assistants can earn between $13 and $17 an hour working at locations such as hospitals, colleges and professional schools, physician offices, outpatient care center and health care practitioner offices.

To register, call (205) 856-7710 or visit www.jeffersonstate.edu/workforce-education-2.

The local Jeff State campus is located at 1850 Lay Dam Road in Clanton.