The Medical Assistant Certificate prepares the student for employment in ambulatory health care settings, such as a physician’s office or urgent care clinic. This is a career choice for those who enjoy helping others, are detail-oriented and are looking for a career that is in demand. Medical assistants are considered a valuable member of the health care team and care for patients by providing routine treatment and performing laboratory and/or office duties such as scheduling and greeting patients; insurance billing and coding; managing and maintaining medical records; obtaining and recording vital signs; interviewing patients to obtain medical histories and chief complaints; and assisting with examinations as a medical scribe. Employment as a medical assistant is favorable and is expected to continue to grow by 29% for the period 2016-2026. This is a higher-than-average growth rate for an occupation.
The Medical Assistant program is offered exclusively at the Edison State at Troy location.
Accreditation ►
The Medical Assistant Certificate is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org | Address: 9355 113th Street N, #7709, Seminole, FL 33775 | Phone: 727.210.2350) upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB) (Address: 2339 N California Ave, #47138, Chicago, IL 60647 | Phone: 312.392.0155). Initial accreditation awarded in 2020.
Medical Assistant Certificate Applicants ►
In addition to complying with the College’s general admission procedures, Medical Assistant applicants must
►have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale);
►have tested into MTH 093D Math Literacy or received a “C” or better in MTH 093D ;
►have satisfactory assessment scores in reading and writing and are prepared to take Composition I or successfully have completed Developmental Reading and Writing ;
►acknowledge that it is strongly recommended that Introduction to Health Care , Health Care Medical Terminology , and Human Biology are completed prior to entering Medical Assisting Clinical Procedures I ;
►have taken Health Care Medical Terminology , Human Biology , Document Processing I , Medical Office Procedures , and Medical Insurance & Coding I no more than 5 years prior to starting Medical Assisting Clinical Procedures I . If it has more than 5 years since completion of any of these courses, the student must repeat the course(s); and
►have departmental permission from the Dean of Professional and Technical Programs or the Medical Assistant Instructor/program director prior to entering Medical Assisting Clinical Procedures I . (Please schedule a meeting at the beginning of spring semester prior to fall enrollment.)
Students are required to complete a physical exam and additional health requirements at their own expense, prior to entering Medical Assisting Clinical Procedures I . Students must have a successful criminal background check prior to taking Medical Assisting Lab Techniques . Professional CPR and First Aid certification is required prior to taking Medical Assisting Clinical Procedures II . Continuation in and graduation from the Medical Assistant program is contingent upon the student earning a minimum grade of “C” in the courses indicated in the tables below. Any credits transferred from other accredited institutions must also be a “C” or better.
►Click here for the Medical Assisting Student Handbook
►Click here for the Medical Assisting Student Outcomes
Program Outcomes ►
The student will
- demonstrate professionalism in regards to ethical and responsible behavior;
- demonstrate effective interpersonal skills with patients, physicians and co-workers;
- demonstrate competent written communication skills in the performance of duties;
- demonstrate competent oral communication skills in the performance of duties;
- demonstrate appropriate use of medical terminology in the performance of duties;
- apply administrative policies and procedures effectively in the performance of duties;
- apply clinical policies and procedures effectively in the performance of duties;
- apply ethical and legal policies and procedures effectively in the performance of duties;
- adapt methods and techniques to the individual needs or capabilities of patients; and
- apply the skills, attitudes and disposition that reflect Edison State core values.
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