Medical Assistant

The Medical Assistant Program prepares students for entry level employment in a physician’s clinic or a variety of other healthcare settings. Program graduates will have the academic, administrative and clinical skills necessary for an allied health care professional. Courses cover anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology, as well as, computers, office procedures, communications, psychology and mathematics. Those training in the Medical Assisting Program will find occupations involved within various aspects of health care in clinics and physicians’ offices. The medical assistant performs a variety of clinical and administrative duties.

Clinical duties may include: assisting physicians and preparing patients for examinations; taking and recording vital signs and medical histories; performing venipuncture, spirometry, and electrocardiograms; and preparing, administering, and documenting medications; collecting and processing specimens.

Administrative duties may include: scheduling and receiving patients; maintaining medical records; handling telephone calls; corresponding authorizations and reports; and insurance and billing matters.

Students are prepared to function under the supervision of a licensed provider. The program is designed to correlate classroom and laboratory experience with practical experience in health care facilities. The program is accredited by National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) and when students complete the program they are eligible to apply for National Certification which is required by many healthcare facilities.

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of the Medical Assistant Training Program students will have the resources to:

• Interact in a caring and respectful manner with patients, families, and the health care team.

• Establish and manage office procedures and implement medical documentation systems using appropriate medical terminology.

• Perform the administrative business tasks required in a medical office.

• Assist the physician and other members of the healthcare team in clinical procedures related to the examination and treatment of patients.

• Comply with quality assurance requirements in performing clinical laboratory procedures.

• Perform common diagnostic procedures under a licensed health care provider to ensure patient comfort and safety.

  Pre-requisites: High School Completion or GED; placement in Writing 121Z or completion of WR 115 and RD 115 with a C or better; and placement in MTH 20 or higher.

Other Requirements

Once conditionally admitted, students will be required to complete various state and program requirements such as a criminal background check, immunizations and drug screening. For more information contact the Health and Human Service Department and/or Academic Advising.