Medical Assistant

Return to: Academic Programs

Program Description:

The Medical Assistant program is designed to prepare students with the necessary skills and abilities to assist physicians and providers in rendering professional services to patients. Employment may be available in private offices, clinics, hospitals, and federal and public health facilities. Students graduating from the Medical Assistant Certificate program are qualified to sit for the American Association of Medical Assistant’s (AAMA) National Certification exam to become a Certified Medical Assistant.[CMA (AAMA)]. The CMA (AAMA) credential is awarded to candidates who have successfully completed the CMA (AAMA) examination administered by the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Like other professional designations, the CMA (AAMA) credential is evidence of competence in a demanding field. Certified Medical Assistants [CMA (AAMA)] may benefit from broader career advancement opportunities and job security.

Program Outcomes:

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

1. Prepare patients for examination and procedures utilizing anatomical structures appropriately.

2. Apply appropriately health related mathematical computations.

3. Recognize implications of infection control procedures.

4. Recognize components of nutrition, food pyramid, and therapeutic diets.

5. Communicate information to providers and patients.

6. Identify medical office administrative functions.

7.  Differentiate finance practices.

8. Describe processes for third party reimbursement.

9. Perform diagnostic and procedural coding.

10. Differentiate between legal and ethical issues affecting healthcare including standard of practice and HIPPA.

11. Differentiate between ethical and moral issues affecting healthcare.

12. Describe safety and protective practices.

Accreditation:

The Medical Assistant Certificate Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB).

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs

25400 U.S. Highway 19 North, Suite 158

Clearwater, FL 33763

727-210-2350

www.caahep.org

Requirements & Specific Information:

Expenditures for the Student:

The student is rsponsible for the following expenditures which are not included within the program course fees:

• criminal background check
• drug screen
• health history and physical, including immunizations and/or titers:
  • MMR, influenza, Hepatitis B, Tdap, TB testing or chest x-ray
• uniforms, white duty shoes, watch with a second hand, stethscope and blood pressure cuff, lab kit
• transportation to the practicum site, and medical and liability insurance
• The student is also responsible for the cost of the HESI Medical Assistant Exit Exam taken in their last semester.

NOTE: It is highly suggested that students achieve an acceptable mathematics and reading placement test score to enter the Medical Assistant program.

All students must apply for their certificate and/or degree and submit the application form to Enrollment Services during the semester the certificate or degree will be earned.

Students must achieve grade “C” or better, or grade “Pass” (if the course is a Pass/Fail course) for all the Core and General Education courses in this program.

Career Opportunities:

Medical Assistant-Associate of Applied Science: Job titles such as Medical Assistant, Clinical Office Assistant, Clinical Services Clerk/Medical Assistant, and Patient Care Technician and others are attainable upon completion of this course of study. To learn more from a career specialist, visit the Office of Career Services at either campus or explore online at www.onetonline.org.

Medical Assistant-Certificate: Job titles such as Medical Assistant, Clinical Office Assistant, Clinical Services Clerk/Medical Assistant, and Patient Care Technician are attainable upon completion of this course of study. To learn more from a career specialist, visit the Office of Career Services at either campus or explore online at www.onetonline.org.

Transfer Pathways:

Students intending to transfer and complete a bachelor’s degree need to make early decisions concerning an academic major and a transfer destination. Statistics show that students who make these decisions early are more likely to persist to graduation than their undecided counterparts. Students planning to transfer credits earned at Macomb are strongly urged to see a counselor or academic advisor as early as possible in their college careers.

• Transfer Resource Guide
• Transfer Plan Database

Programs

• Medical Assistant, AAS (full-time)

• Medical Assistant, Certificate

Return to: Academic Programs