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MEDICAL ASSISTANT - A.A.S.

Medical Assisting is a very versatile Allied Health Profession that supports the work of Healthcare Providers both clinically and administratively. Today’s Medical Assistant is responsible for obtaining a detailed medical history, medication reconciliation and accurate vital signs for each patient’s office visit. Additionally, they are a key part in patient coaching, infection control and the collection/ preparation of diagnostic lab testing including phlebotomy, spirometry and electrocardiograms. Medical Assistants are trained to assist Healthcare Providers with a variety of medical exams as well as many types of minor office surgery procedures.

As the world of healthcare evolves, Medical Assistants continue to play a vital role in collecting the information necessary to meet the increasing demand for data analytics used to make healthcare more efficient. Other administrative duties that a Medical Assistant is trained to perform include understanding and ensuring compliance with patient privacy laws, basic practice finances, medical billing and insurance coding. Medical Assistants also work closely with patients to schedule their appointments, lab services and hospital admissions.

Upon successful completion of our Medical Assisting program, graduates will earn an Associates in Applied Science Degree and be eligible to take six (6) national credentialing exams: Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) from the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) from the American Medical Technologist (AMT), Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA), Certified Administrative Medical Assistant (CMAA), Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) from the National HealthCareer Association (NHA), and Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist (CMRS) from the American Medical Billing Association (AMBA).

Medical Assisting is a great foundation for many positions in healthcare. You will find numerous career advancement opportunities available, such as Healthcare Management, Healthcare Informatics and Nursing.

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

All students completing this program are expected to achieve the General Education outcomes described in the General Studies section of the catalog as well as the following learning objectives:

  • Foundations for Clinical Practice - At the end of the program , students will be able to perform and demonstrate competence of clinical skills for entry-level employment as a medical assistant.

  • Applied Communications - At the end of the program, students will articulate written and oral communication skills appropriate to patient instruction and care.

  • Medical Business Practice - At the end of the program, students will demonstrate competency in medical office administrative skills.

  • Medical Law and Ethics - At the end of the program, students will demonstrate the knowledge and practice of appropriate behavior on the workplace related to medical law, healthcare ethics, and professionals in the context of the role of a medical assistant.

  • Safety and Emergency Practices - At the end of the program, students will demonstrate and apply Protective Practices of the medical assistant including principles of aseptic technique, infection control, safety techniques, and basic elements of emergency planning.

Medical Assistant - A.A.S. Curriculum

BIO119 Medical Terminology - 3 credits
BIO130 Anatomy & Physiology I - 3 credits
BIO130L Anatomy & Physiology I Lab - 1 credit
BIO131 Anatomy & Physiology II - 3 credits
BIO131L Anatomy & Physiology II Lab - 1 credit
BIO203 Pharmacology & Pathophysiology - 3 credits
EN101 English Composition - 3 credits
FREL Free Elective - 3 credits
GS100 or GS102 College Seminar or College Success - 1 - 3 credits*
HIT118 Healthcare Reimbursement - 3 credits
HIT119 Outpatient Coding, Classification & Reimbursement Systems I - 3 credits
HIT201 Management Principles for Health Professionals - 3 credits
HIT219 Outpatient Coding, Classification & Reimbursement Systems II - 4 credits
MAEL Mathematics Elective - 3 credits
MAS134 Orientation to Medical Office Assistant - 2 credits
MAS213 Medical Office Systems & Procedures - 4 credits
MAS232 Medical Assistant Clinical Procedures - 4 credits
MAS233 Medical Assistant Diagnostic and Clinical Laboratory Procedures - 3 credits
MAS235 Medical Assistant Clinical Seminar & Externship - 4 credits
PH205 Ethics in Health Care - 3 credits
PSY101 or SOCEL General Psychology or Sociology Elective - 3 credits
Total Program Credits - 60 credits

*GS100 College Seminar or GS102 College Success must be taken at the main campus

Additional Degree Requirements

All courses require a minimum grade of “C” except the English, Humanities, Mathematics and Social Science elective and a Quality Point Average of 2.0.

BIO (Biology) Courses
EN (English) Courses
FREL (Free Elective ) Courses
General Studies – A.S.
HIT (Health Information Technology) Courses
MAS (Medical Assistant) Courses
PH (Philosophy) Courses
PSY (Psychology) Courses
SOC (Sociology) Courses