COLLEGE OF MARIN MEDICAL ASSISTING EXTERNSHIP PROCCESS
The Clinical Externship (MEDA 174L) is the final, hands-on component of the Medical Assisting program and is offered in the spring semester. Because enrollment depends on the availability of clinical placements, space is limited and registration is managed by the Allied Health Department. This memo outlines the steps every student must complete before being registered and placed at a clinical site.
Step 1: Complete Your Course Prerequisites
Externship Option Choose the externship option that matches your program pathway and make sure the required courses are completed (or, where noted, in progress):
| Externship Option | Externship Option | Prerequisite or Concurrent Enrollment |
|---|---|---|
| MEDA 174L-A – Administrative | MEDA 160, 161, 162, 164, 164L, and 165 or 166 | None |
| MEDA 174L-B – Clinical | MEDA 160, 164, 164L, 165 or 166, 170, 170L, and 172 | MEDA 171, 171L, and 173 |
| MEDA 174L-C – Administrative & Clinical | MEDA 160, 161, 162, 164, 164L, 165 or 166, 170, 170L, and 172 | MEDA 171, 171L, and 173 |
Step 2: Obtain Current CPR and First Aid Certification
- CPR at the level of Healthcare Provider or Professional Rescuer (e.g., AHA BLS). Accepted providers include:
– American Heart Association (BLS – Healthcare Provider)
– American Red Cross (Professional Rescuer / Healthcare Provider)
– Marin Simulation Center at Indian Valley Campus (Professional Rescuer)
- A current First Aid card. First Aid is offered as a separate class through the American Red Cross.
- A First Responder class that covers both First Aid and CPR for the Professional Rescuer satisfies both requirements.
- Certifications must be current. Submit a copy of each card.
Step 3: Complete Health Clearance and Immunizations
- Complete the program’s Health Clearance and immunization forms. Instructions on how to submit these documents are provided by the program.
Step 4: Submit Documents and Get Cleared for Registration
- Submit your CPR card, First Aid card, and Health Clearance/immunization forms to the Medical Assisting program office (see Contact below).
- Registration for MEDA 174L is blocked until the Health Sciences Department verifies that all prerequisites and clearance documents are complete.
- Students who complete all requirements by the published priority deadline will be cleared to register on their priority registration date.
- Students who miss the priority deadline lose priority status and will be added only after all requirements are met and only if space remains.
Step 5: Clinical Site Assignment and Orientation
- Students are assigned to clinical sites only after being cleared for registration.
- Some clinical sites have additional onboarding requirements that must be completed before your start date.
- A mandatory orientation meeting is held before the externship begins. The date is emailed to students once they are registered.
What to Expect: Externship Schedule
- The externship runs for four weeks at the end of the spring semester.
- Students attend Monday through Friday, generally 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Hours may vary by clinical site.
- All other spring MEDA courses are scheduled to end before the externship begins to avoid schedule conflicts.
Key Reminders
- All forms must be submitted by the priority deadline to be considered for priority admission.
- No student will be enrolled without completing every requirement.
- Plan ahead: CPR/First Aid classes and immunizations can take several weeks to schedule and complete.
Contact
Submit documents and direct questions to the Allied Health Administrative Assistant:
Rebecca Bugas, Administrative Assistant
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 415.457.8811 ext. 8206