Medical Assistant Certification

Medical Assisting

Certificate of Completion: 40 credits. Advising Guide (link) 

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.

Certification

Completion of MA certificate allows successful graduates to take a national certification exam of their choice: 

• National Healthcare Association (NHA)
• American Medical Technologies (AMT)

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 certification exams. However, each certifying body may grant a waiver based on mitigating circumstances. Contact the program coordinator for more information.

Program Entry Requirements

• Meet with program advisor
• Attend mandatory orientation in September

Additional Requirements

Enrolled students must meet/pass the following requirements for MA 170, Administrative Practicum, in Fall term and within the designated time frame (any associated costs are at the student’s own expense): 

• Immunization validation
• TB screening
• A drug screen
• A criminal background check and sex offender check
• Current CPR BLS provider certificate
• Transportation to clinical facilities throughout the Mid-Columbia area

Information regarding these requirements will be distributed in a mandatory orientation in September after enrollment in the MA courses.

A working knowledge and/or background of basic computer skills, including windows, keyboarding, Internet and email is highly recommended.

Program Outcomes

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

1. Perform administrative procedures associated with Medical Office.
2. Perform clinical assisting and laboratory procedures.
3. Create and enter data into different healthcare documents.
4. Apply legal concepts to medical practice.
5. Communicate professionally with patients, coworkers, and providers.
6. To enter the profession proficient in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains laid out by the American Association of Medical Assistants.

Prerequisites

• Placement into WR 115 Introduction to Expository Writing (4 credits)