Overview

About the program

The demand for Medical Assistants is expanding rapidly. MA’s are the only allied health professionals specifically trained to work in ambulatory settings, such as physicians’ offices, clinics, and group practices. As multi-skilled personnel, they can perform administrative and clinical procedures. Physicians value this unique versatility more and more, as managed care compels them to contain costs and manage human resources efficiently.

Medical Assisting continues to be one of the fastest growing occupations in healthcare. According to the latest Occupational Outlook Handbook the Medical Assisting field has a 23% growth, which is faster than average for all occupations. Physicians are hiring more MAs to perform routine administrative and clinical duties, allowing the physicians to see more patients.

Medical Assistants have a great amount of variety in their jobs and are cross trained to perform many administrative and clinical duties.

Program format(s)

Students enrolled in this program will take traditional, 16-week classes each semester.  

Degree option

Two-year (four semesters) full-time degree schedule; mixture of business, communications, health applications, and information technology courses; includes field experience practicum.

License/Credentialing Eligibility

Students who complete MTC’s Medical Assisting certificate program are eligible to sit for the certification exam offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA, 20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 1575, Chicago, IL 60606, phone: 1-800-228-2262 and fax: 312-899-1259, www.aama-ntl.org). The credential awarded upon successful completion of the exam is the CMA (Certified Medical Assistant). Students are also eligible to sit for the certification exam offered by American Medical Technologists (www.americanmedtech.org). The credential awarded upon successful completion of the exam is RMA (Registered Medical Assistant). Students are also eligible for RPT (Registered Phlebotomy Technician) certification exam through AMT with additional phlebotomy hours as part of the practicum experience.

Convicted felons or individuals pleading guilty to a felony are not eligible to sit for the Medical Assisting certification exam unless the Certifying Board (CB) grants a waiver based on accepted mitigating circumstances.

Certificate option

Medical Assisting Certificate (CMA: Certified Medical Assistant)

The demand for Medical Assistants is expanding rapidly. MA’s are the only allied health professionals specifically trained to work in ambulatory settings, such as physicians’ offices, clinics, and group practices. As multi-skilled personnel, they can perform administrative and clinical procedures. Physicians value this unique versatility more and more, as managed care compels them to contain costs and manage human resources efficiently.

Medical Assisting continues to be one of the fastest growing occupations in healthcare. According to the latest Occupational Outlook Handbook the Medical Assisting field has a 23% growth, which is faster than average for all occupations. Physicians are hiring more MAs to perform routine administrative and clinical duties, allowing the physicians to see more patients.

Occupational Certification Opportunities

Students who complete MTC’s Medical Assisting certificate program are eligible to sit for the certification exam offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA, 20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 1575, Chicago, IL 60606, phone: 1-800-228-2262 and fax: 312-899-1259, www.aama-ntl.org). The credential awarded upon successful completion of the exam is the CMA (Certified Medical Assistant). Students are also eligible to sit for the certification exam offered by American Medical Technologists (www.americanmedtech.org). The credential awarded upon successful completion of the exam is RMA (Registered Medical Assistant).

Occupational Certification Opportunities

• CMA - Certified Medical Assistant
• RMA-Registered Medical Assistant

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MA outcomes statement

• The medical assisting program at MTC has a job placement rate of 100% for the graduate cohort in 2020.
• 2023 graduates have a 100% pass rate for the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam.
• The 5-year average for the CMA exam passage rate is 96%.

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Learning Outcomes

• Communicate effectively with patients, Providers, and co-workers.
• Demonstrate competent written and medical terminology skills.
• Perform administrative duties such as: Scheduling appointments, maintaining electronic patient records, utilization of computer software/electronic medical records, educate patients in general office policies, and instruct individuals according to their needs.
• Perform clinical duties such as: Setting up sterile fields, suture removal, taking vitals and patient histories, collecting and processing specimens, performing CLIA-waived testing, performing patient screening, instructing and preparing a patient, assisting with procedures and exams, administering medications orally and through injections, performing electrocardiograms and pulmonary function testing, and basic first aid/CPR
• Apply knowledge of local, federal, and state health care legislation such as proper documentation, compliance reporting, and applying HIPAA rules in regard to privacy and release of information.
• Maintain practice finances through the use of a Total Practice Management System (TPMS)
• Perform dosage and mathematical calculations for administration of medications.
• Perform ICD-10-CM and CPT-4 diagnostic and procedural coding.
• Perform in a safe manner that minimizes risk to patients, self, and others.
• Demonstrate professional interpersonal, oral, and written communications skills, including an awareness of how diversity may affect the communication process and patient care.
• Demonstrate professional conduct and apply legal, social, and ethical responsibilities within the health care environment.

Medical Assistants have a great amount of variety in their jobs and are cross trained to perform many administrative and clinical duties. Below is a quick overview of the types of tasks a medical assistant does during a typical workday:

Administrative duties may include the following:

• Greeting patients
• Arranging for hospital admissions and laboratory services
• Handling correspondence, billing, and bookkeeping
• Demonstrating professional, interpersonal, oral and written communications skills

Clinical duties vary, but may include the following:

• Preparing and administering medications (oral and injections)
• Taking medical histories and performing vital signs
• Explaining treatment procedures to patients
• Preparing patients for examination
• Assisting the physician during an exam
• Instructing patients about medication and special diets
• Collecting and preparing laboratory specimens including phlebotomy (blood collection)
• Performing basic laboratory tests
• Taking electrocardiograms
• Removing sutures and changing dressings

Students are also eligible for RPT (Registered Phlebotomy Technician) certification exam with additional phlebotomy hours as part of the practicum experience.

Convicted felons or individuals pleading guilty to a felony are not eligible to sit for the Medical Assisting certification exam unless the Certifying Board (CB) grants a waiver based on accepted mitigating circumstances.

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Career Opportunities

• Medical Assistants
• Personal Care Aides
• Home Health Aides

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Accreditation

Marion Technical College’s Medical Assisting Certificate Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB).

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355-113^th St.N, #7709
Seminole FL 33775
727-210-2350
www.caahep.org

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Application Requirements - Limited Enrollment

• MTC Application for Admission (nonrefundable application fee).
• Final high school transcript (or GED results) and college transcripts (if applicable).
• A minimum 2.0 accumulative grade point average (GPA) in high school or college-level courses (whichever is most recent).
• Demonstrate college-readiness by achieving the required minimum score on a placement test, successfully completing any required college foundation courses, or satisfying other measures including but not limited to high school coursework, previous college coursework, samples of work, etc.
• Completion of Medical Assisting program application.
• Completion of successful criminal background check.