Certificate: Medical Assisting

Career Description

Those training in the Medical Assisting Program will find occupations involved with administrative and clinical aspects of health care in clinics and physicians’ offices. The medical assistant performs a variety of clinical and administrative duties. Clinical duties may include: assisting physicians and preparing patients for examinations and treatment; taking and recording vital signs and medical histories; performing certain diagnostic tests; preparing, administering and documenting medication; collecting and processing specimens. Administrative duties may include: scheduling and receiving patients; maintaining medical records; handling telephone calls; correspondence and reports; insurance matters; office accounts; fees and collections.

Course of Study

Students must be full-time and receive a grade of “C” or better in all program required courses. The program is designed to correlate classroom and laboratory experience with practical experience in health care facilities. Students are prepared to function under the supervision of a licensed physician. Students must also meet general certificate requirements.

Legal Limitations for CMA Certification

Individuals who have been found guilty of a felony, or pleaded guilty to a felony, may not be eligible to take the Certified Medical Assistant Examination (CMA-AAMA). However, the certifying board may grant a waiver based on mitigating circumstances. See the American Association of Medical Assistance (AAMA) CMA Examination Application for specifics.

Application & Acceptance

Students must apply to the Medical Assisting Program by filling out the forms in the Medical Assisting Admissions Application Packet.

All program prerequisites must be completed with a letter grade of “C” or better. Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-serve basis; priority will be given to applicants with completed prerequisites. Applicants who are enrolled in prerequisites for summer term can be accepted to the program pending completion of the prerequisite courses with a “C” or better. For assistance, call Student Services at (541) 506- 6011 or (541) 308-8211.

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this certificate, students will be able to:

• Communicate effectively with persons through the use of verbal & non-verbal skills, written abilities, active listening, and information technologies within ambulatory care settings.
• Integrate the principles of mathematics and scientific knowledge with administrative and clinical medical assisting practice.
• Demonstrate the ability to meet patients' needs as a mature, adaptable person and member of the medical assisting profession.
• Think creatively and critically in the identification, analysis, and resolution of problems, issues, truth claims, and ethical issues.
• Practice medical assisting within the standards and guidelines of medical assisting program accreditation and medical assistant certification standards.