Program Description
The Medical Assisting curriculum prepares multi-skilled health care professionals qualified to perform administrative, clinical, and laboratory procedures. Course work includes instruction in scheduling appointments, coding and processing insurance accounts, billing, collections, computer operations; assisting with examinations/treatments, performing routine laboratory procedures, electrocardiography, supervised medication administration; and ethical/legal issues associated with patient care.
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates in this program should be able to:
- Practice professional behaviors incorporating personal responsibilities and accountability to continued competence.
- Communicate effectively with patients, significant support staff, and members of the healthcare team.
- Integrate clinical knowledge to assess situations to meet the needs of the patient.
- Understand and implement the request of the medical provider.
- Maintain the management of the medical office by implementing administrative and financial skills.
- Utilize an Electronic Health Record system to effectively manage patient information
CAAHEP Accreditation
The Medical Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB), 2020 N. California Ave., #213 Suite 7, Chicago, IL 60647, 800-228-2262, Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), 9355 113th St. N, #7709 Seminole, FL 33775, 727-210-2350.
Graduates of CAAHEP-accredited Medical Assisting programs may be eligible to sit for the American Association of Medical Assistants’ Certification Examination to become Certified Medical Assistants CMA (AAMA).
Employment Opportunities
Upon graduation students are eligible to work in physicians’ offices, health maintenance organizations, health departments, hospital clinics, insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies and other related areas.
Admission
The Medical Assisting program offers fall, spring and evening entry options.
Students who are enrolled in the Medical Assisting program are advised to be full-time and follow the semester-by-semester curriculum plan. For more specific information, contact the department head or the Health Sciences Admissions Coordinator. Faculty members advise students as to the courses they should take before enrollment.
All developmental requirements must be completed before admission or registration into some courses.
The following requirements must be completed for enrollment:
- Updated application
- High School Transcript or equivalent
- Official transcripts of all post-secondary education
- Placement testing or approved waiver
- Appointment with admissions coordinator or Medical Assisting department head
Progression/Readmission
Specific progression and readmission criteria may be found in the Medical Assisting Program handbook, which will be made available to students upon entry into the program. For questions, contact the department head or admissions coordinator. Students must maintain a minimum grade of “C” (70) in all Medical Assisting (MED) courses, and satisfactory completion of all skills to remain in the program. A criminal background check, drug test or other requirements must be completed before students are allowed to participate in practicum.
Technical Standards
Students entering the program must meet specific emotional, behavioral, physical, and cognitive standards. This information is found in the admissions office and in the program handbook.
Students qualifying for special accommodations to these standards must contact the Disability Services Coordinator at 336-506-4130 for more specific information.
Additional Program Costs
The Medical Assisting curriculum has additional costs associated with it. Students who enroll in this program are required to pay for such items as certification exams, achievement tests, uniforms, supplies, and the like. Many of these are required as part of the curriculum but are not provided by the College.
Additional expenses required for this program are listed below with approximate costs:
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Textbooks and Learning Resources $500 - $800
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Uniforms and Supplies-$250
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Physical and Immunizations-$300 - $500 (Depends on needed vaccines - Students are highly encouraged to locate their immunization records. Many of the required immunizations were likely obtained during childhood)
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Time Tracking System $80
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Criminal Background and Drug Screen $79 - $120
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Liability insurance-$16 per year
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Medical Assisting Club Dues - $Varies
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National Certification Exam $125
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AAMA Student Dues $30 - $55
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