LLCC Launches CNA to Clinical Medical Assistant Bridge Program

Lincoln Land Community College in Jacksonville announced on November 5, 2025 that it will offer a CNA to Clinical Medical Assistant Bridge program beginning in January 2026. The cohort style program runs from Jan. 26 to April 13 with classes on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at LLCC Jacksonville, 32 N. Central Park Plaza. The college is presenting information sessions Nov. 19 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the same campus for prospective students.

The curriculum covers medical terminology, law and ethics, infection control, phlebotomy, lab testing, EKGs and hands on clinical skills. Students will complete a 72 hour classroom portion followed by a required 60 hour clinical externship at a partner health facility. After finishing both components students will be eligible to sit for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant exam administered by the National Healthcareer Association. The program is intended for certified nurse assistants seeking to expand their scope of practice and to move into clinical medical assistant roles.

For Morgan County residents the program addresses two immediate concerns. First, it creates a direct pathway for CNAs to obtain nationally recognized certification that can increase earning potential and job stability. Second, it supplies local hospitals, clinics and outpatient centers with trained clinical staff at a time when many health systems report persistent shortages in entry level clinical positions. By coordinating classroom learning with an on site externship the college is positioning graduates to be job ready for regional employers.

The initiative also raises policy and institutional questions about workforce development and funding priorities. Community colleges serve as a primary pipeline for upskilling local workers, and the success of bridge programs depends on sustained partnerships with health providers and transparent reporting on placement outcomes. Local leaders and residents will have reason to track enrollment numbers, program completion rates and employer hiring patterns to assess the return on public and institutional investment.

Prospective applicants and community stakeholders may attend the Nov. 19 information sessions to learn enrollment requirements and timelines. Press contact for the program is Angela Try. As the program moves toward its January start, its performance will be a useful indicator of how targeted training can affect employment, healthcare staffing and economic opportunity in Morgan County.