Medical Assistant
Allied Health & Sciences
Specialized diploma conferred
Program Narrative
The Medical Assistant Specialized Diploma program is designed to prepare the entry level Medical Assistant for employment in a physician practice office setting, performing basic clerical and clinical skills. The curriculum for the program is based on the curriculum standards as established by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). The coursework is supported by both classroom and laboratory instruction, aimed at developing the student's skills in the academic setting prior to engaging in clinical instruction in affiliated physician practices.
While in the program, students will have supervised clinical instruction designed to develop the student's clerical and clinical skills which are supportive to the role of an entry level medical assistant. The curriculum is designed sequentially, to allow the student to master basic skills and competencies first, before progressing to more challenging procedures. Some highlights of the skills and competencies covered in the program are: medication administration, phlebotomy, EKGs. Students finish the program with a capstone clinical externship in their third semester. During the externship, students have the opportunity to work in the medical office setting under the supervision of a clinical preceptor.
This program is designed to be completed in one calendar year and is part of a career ladder which allows successful students to gain employment at the earliest point in their academic program. Students can elect to continue their studies in a specialized field through direct articulation with other Office Administration programs.
Employment trends indicate that medical assistant positions will be plentiful over the next decade as both the demand for health care services and the supply of qualified personnel diminishes.
Program Features
This specialized diploma provides unique short-term program to prepare students with skills necessary to assume an entry-level position as a Medical Assistant. Students will learn keyboarding, the fundamentals health care reimbursement, human biology, and clinical skills which include: history taking, vital sign measurement, documenting on the patient record, medication administration, phlebotomy and EKGs.
Students can elect to attend the program on a part-time or full-time basis, but the Medical Assistant Technique courses must be taken in sequence. This program is offered as a day program at our Fowler Family Southside Center.
The American Medical Technologists (AMT) have accredited the Medical Assistant program here at NCC. This enables students to sit for the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA-AMT) Certification Exam after completing the program. Employers are becoming increasingly selective in their hiring practices, so graduate acquisition of this RMA credential will increase their employability. The program faculty will distribute information about the exam to students at the conclusion of the program, so your staff will not need to deal with any of the associated paperwork.
Program Requirements
This is a selective admission program. Applicants shall have completed work equal to a standard high school course as evidenced by a diploma or GED. The minimum admission requirement to the program include: 1) one year of HS biology or NCC equivalent (BIOS105, 107, 115) with a grade of C or better, and 2) one year of HS algebra with a grade of C or better or NCC equivalent (MATH022).
Prior to acceptance, the student is required to take the English Placement Test (EPT) and be able to enroll in English 101 or be able to transfer English 101 or its equivalent.
After acceptance into the program, students are required to
• Carry and maintain health insurance
• Have physical examination
• Submit results of required lab tests and immunizations
• Submit certificate in Basic Life Support for Health Care providers throughout the program
• Submit results of Criminal History Record Information (CHRI), Child and Elder Abuse History Clearance. In addition, if the student has not lived in Pennsylvania for two consecutive years, an FBI Clearance will be also required prior to entry into the program.
Deadline
In order to be considered, applicants must submit an application and all transcripts by February 1 for Fall semester start OR September 15 for a Spring semester start.Applications received after this date will be reviewed on a space available basis.
Program Outcomes
Graduates of the program will:
- Demonstrate an understanding of basic human biology and medical terminology as they relate to the role of the medical assistant.
- Perform the administrative, clerical, and clinical competencies of the medical assistant role.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the legal and ethical responsibilities of the medical assistant.
- Function as an assistant to the physician or health care professional in the medical office setting.
- Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills in the medical assistant role.
- Integrate biopsychosocial principles in delivering care to patients and in performing the medical assistant role.