Program Tips

Academic Advising & Student Success

Academic advisors assist students with developing education plans based on their graduation audit. Their goal is to plan the right pathway to graduation by maximizing students' potential and ensuring success based on the student's previous academic experience, career path, and responsibilities outside of being a student. Student success specialists assist students in overcoming barriers that many students encounter over their academic career. Their goal is to help students become academically successful by assisting with goal setting, interpersonal issues, success plans, and community-based referrals. More information can be found on Commons (Student Services).

Library & Academic Support

The one-stop spot for academic help! Free academic help including drop-in tutoring, test preparation, research guidance, and technology support available online and face-to-face. More information is available in Commons.

Students with Disabilities

CVTC welcomes individuals with disabilities. We will provide and coordinate reasonable accommodations for all individuals with documented disabilities. Students that might benefit from accommodations during their college experience at CVTC can contact the Student Success and Accessibility team at 715-833-6234 or access@cvtc.edu to determine what accommodations they may be eligible for and what documentation may be required.

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)

CPL offers CVTC students and opportunity to earn college credit toward and associate degree or technical diploma for previous knowledge and mastered skills directly related to program curriculum. Previous knowledge and skills may be the result of work or volunteer experiences, certifications, apprenticeships, military experience, and courses at other institutions. If a student wishes to attempt CPL for a course in progress, it is imperative that CPL is attempted within the first week of class (or sooner) to be eligible for a tuition refund. More information can be found at cvtc.edu/CPL.

Successful completion means the student received a "B-" or better as a final grade.

For the Clinical Assistant program, common CPL courses would include:

Financial Aid Consideration

This program does not qualify for financial aid.

Title IX Pregnancy and Related Conditions

CVTC does not discriminate against any student based on pregnancy or related conditions and will fully comply with Title IX regulations. Related conditions include, but are not limited to, childbirth, breastfeeding/pumping, miscarriage, abortion, false pregnancy, and recovery from these or related conditions. Students who are pregnant or are experiencing related conditions are entitled to reasonable modifications to ensure equal access to the CVTC’s educational program and activity. Any student seeking reasonable modifications must contact the Student Success and Accessibility team at 715-833-6234 or access@cvtc.edu to discuss appropriate and available modifications based on their individual needs. Students are encouraged to request pregnancy-related modifications as promptly as possible. 

Criminal Background Check

Students will be provided direction on how to request a criminal background check from a third-party vendor. Upon receipt of the criminal background check results, if a student has a criminal history, they will be advised of the possibility of being denied clinical placement. This denial will result in not being able to attend clinical(s) or graduate from the program. Additional background checks may be required during the student's enrollment in the program based on clinical site requirements. Students will be informed by CVTC if they need a criminal background check renewal.

Technology Requirements

Students must have regular access to a computer with an internet connection. Additionally, students will be required to have a web cam and headset with a microphone and speakers. Students may purchase a webcam and headset from anywhere they choose. The following items meet the recommendations: Logitech USB Headset Mono 650 and the Logitech Webcam C310 HD.

Having access to a laptop/computer with reliable Wi-Fi will be necessary. Please check your laptop/computer to make sure that it meets the minimum recommended specifications below:

Healthcare Prep Seminar

This program requires attendance at a two-day in-person Healthcare Prep Seminar the week before the fall semester begins. Students will be sent invitations to these sessions via email. Students will get to meet their cohort and faculty, complete CPR training, learn more about the program and resources, and how to be successful in the program.

Practicum Requirements (current through practicum)

• Successful completion or standing in all other program courses
• CPR-BLS Certification
  • Course options at CVTC - To see course offerings and register go to: Login to COMMONS at www.cvtc.edu. Hover over RECORDS & REGISTRATION and select Search Course Offerings. Scroll down and in the “Looking for more courses” box, click CPR Certification. When the page loads, all of the CPR courses appear. Course options you can take:
    • CPR-BLS PROVIDER: About a 4.5-hour class that provides both the theory and skills in one course. Held at one of the CVTC campuses.
    • BLS PROVIDER SKILLS SESSION: This is a two-part course – online portion through AHA and then the skill session at CVTC. Please read the note under the Class Detail header, which provides information on how to register for the first half of the course with AHA. Students also then need to register for the CVTC portion.
    • CPR RENEWAL – BLS PROVIDER: This 2.5-hour class is only for those that have a BLS Provider certification that is expiring.
  • Red Cross “CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers” class and your card would indicate “Basic Life Support” online + classroom option is acceptable
  • American Heart Association “BLS (Basic Life Support) for Healthcare Providers” 
  • An active instructor card for either of the above mentioned BLS courses
• TB Test and current influenza vaccine
• Approval of program faculty
• Compliance with WI Caregiver Law
• Program Health Requirements are met

Criminal Background Check

Upon starting the core program, students will be provided directions on how to request a criminal background check from a third-party vendor. Please note that a fee will apply. Upon receipt of the criminal background check results, if a student has a criminal history, they will be advised of the possibility of being denied clinical placement. This denial could result in not being able to attend clinical(s) or graduate from the program. Additional background checks may be required during enrollment in the program based on clinical site requirements. Students will be notified by CVTC if they need a criminal background check renewal. 

Clinical Compliance

To be compliant with CVTC's partnering clinical agencies and the agencies' regulating bodies, for example the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), students must be prepared to abide by vaccination mandates and health and safety guidelines as dictated by those bodies. Vaccination requirements and health documentation must be completed and on file in Clinician Nexus prior to entering the core courses of this program. CVTC will notify students at the appropriate time with a specified deadline. Students will receive an email invite from Clinician Nexus to create an account and upload their own clinical compliance documents. Students are responsible for maintaining their own records. 

Certification

Completion of the Clinical Assistant program enables students to take the National Healthcareer Association’s national certification exam and upon successful completion of this exam, the title Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) may be used.

Pathway to the Medical Assistant Program

All the Clinical Assistant program courses, with the exception of the practicum course, transfers into the Medical Assistant program. Graduates from the Clinical Assistant program, who are admitted to the Medical Assistant program will be granted advance standing. Credit for Prior Learning options are available for some of the remaining Medical Assistant program courses. Contact the program director or academic advisor for more information.

Last Updated: February 16, 2026 @ 10:48 a.m.