Six students graduated from the Certified Medical Administrative Specialist program at the Carbon Career & Technical Institute Adult Education Center on November 6.

The students are: Michele Gregorios, Karen Hallman, Tiffany Harakal, Michael Kern, Carla Leslie, and Lisa Rohfling. The instructor for the program is Anne Porembo.Students who received awards were: Tiffany Harakal and Michael Kern for the highest academic average; Lisa Rohfling for the most improved student; and Michael Kern for perfect attendance.The students celebrated their graduation with a luncheon at a local restaurant.The 6-month program includes both classroom and hands-on training in HIPAA Compliance, medical practice and ethics, medical practice and the law, office procedures, patients and medical records management, health and accident insurance, credit and collections, diagnostic coding, procedural coding, computer applications, medical technology, anatomy, pharmacology, and CPR.The students participated in a 6-week internship program in private medical practices and the medical records and patient finance departments of the Blue Mountain Health System.All graduates will be administered the National Health Career Association certification test to become a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) and a Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS).The program also articulates credits into certificate or degree programs at Lehigh Carbon Community College.The medical office programs are available at the CCTI Adult Education Center in a variety of combinations that include certified medical administrative assistant, certified billing and coding, and advanced billing.The next medical office series is scheduled to begin on December 7,2009. Classes are held Monday thru Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.For individuals who are interested in more hands-on patient care, a State Approved Nurse Aide program is also offered.For more information on these and other training opportunities, contact the Adult Education Center at (570) 325-4140.