Medical Assistant Program (MA)

Information on the Medical Assistant (MA) Quick Start Program

Medical Assistant (MA) Program Description

This medical assistant program is taught over three (3) semesters to prepare students for entry-level positions in ambulatory health care settings such as physician offices and outpatient clinics. Morning and evening class options are available. After successful completion of the first seven (7) weeks of the first semester, students will be eligible to obtain employment as a non-certified medical assistant. The focus of this program is knowledge, skills and affective behaviors to perform competently in both the clinical and the administrative areas of an ambulatory setting. Content areas include medical law and ethics, medical terminology, basic clinical techniques (vital signs, preparing and administering medications, performing laboratory procedures), administrative functions (the electronic medical record, scheduling appointments, performing diagnostic and procedural medical coding) and adhering to safety and emergency procedures. The courses are taught in a hybrid format—there are weekly face-to- face meetings and outside assignments utilizing the Learning Management System (LMS) between class meetings. NO LAB hours are obtained via distance education. This program includes a 160-hour practicum in a physician office and requires taking a national certification examination to obtain a credential for employment.

Program Rationale

The Medical Assistant (MA) Technical Certificate Program is designed to prepare students for employment in healthcare. The United States Bureau of labor statistics predicts strong growth for medical assistants nationally through 2024. The demand for well-trained and credentialed medical assistants who work closely with providers (physicians, advanced practice nurses, and physician assistants) has increased over the previous decade and employment opportunities upon completing a program are high. The MA program also is designed to give options to students who want to grow beyond the initial technical certificate as the curriculum of study is embedded in the Associate of Applied Science in Health Science program.

Program Curriculum

The Medical Assistant Certificate consists of 30 credit hours including a 160-hour practicum (Note: students must be available during the daytime hours to participate in the practicum as these are the hours when most ambulatory offices are open for patient care). Upon completion of the program, the student is prepared to seek certification through nationally recognized organizations including the one recommended, the American Medical Technologists (AMT). The certification examination offered by the AMT is the Register Medical Assistant (RMA) and will be required during the last semester of the program. Please note that successful completion of this academic short-term technical certificate does not qualify as a certification, however completing the short-term technical certificate prepares students for passing a national certification examination including the RMA.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate competency as entry-level medical assistants in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and (affective behavior) learning
• Demonstrate administrative competence in the ambulatory setting.
• Demonstrate critical thinking skills based on professional standards.
• Exhibit professionalism in the ambulatory
• Provide culturally sensitive patient care in an ambulatory

Required Courses –30 Credits

Medical Assistant Program Sample Curriculum Plan