Medical Assisting

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Certificate

Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP) / Lowell Campus - Day

Program Description:

The Medical Assisting Certificate program is designed for students who wish to enter the profession of medical assisting. Graduates can enter the job market after completing the required 29 credits or remain at the college to meet additional requirements for an Associate in Science degree in Medical Assisting. Students acquire the skills required to function as members of a health-care delivery team, and to perform clinical and administrative procedures.

The Medical Assisting Certificate program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (www.caahep.org), on recommendation of the American Association of Medical Assistants Endowment (AAMAE). The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs is located at 1361 Park St., Clearwater, FL 33756, 727-210-2350. Graduates are eligible to take the national certification exam given by the American Association of Medical Assistants.

Career and Transfer Outlook:

Graduates are ready for entry-level employment in various outpatient settings, including hospital clinics, group and individual physicians’ practices, chiropractor and podiatrist offices. After completing the certificate program, graduates may take additional courses at Middlesex to meet the requirement for the Associate in Science degree program in Medical Assisting. Students will not be accepted to the AS degree program until they have completed the Medical Assisting Certificate program.

Gainful Employment Disclosure Information:

Department of Labor Standard Occupational Code (SOC) and Title:
31-9092.00
Medical Assistants

Link to Department of Labor O*Net occupational and employment information for this program:
http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/31-9092.00

Estimated cost of tuition and fees for this program: $5,335.00
Estimated cost of books and supplies for this program: $1,224.52

On-Time completion rate of 2011 graduates: 70%

Median Debt Level of 2011 Graduates:
     Median Debt for Title IV Federal Loans: $0
     Median Debt for Private Educational Loans: $0
     Median Debt for Outstanding Middlesex Community College Payment Plan: $0

Helpful Hints:

Only general education courses such as English Composition, Introduction to Psychology, etc. can be expected to transfer to other colleges.

Clinical Standards: Students enrolled in the Medical Assisting program must demonstrate a satisfactory level of performance in clinical settings in order to remain in the program.

Program Outcomes:

Graduates of the Medical Assisting Certificate program are prepared to:

Use the knowledge and skills of the profession in order to function effectively as an entry-level medical assistant;
Communicate verbally and in writing with patients and colleagues;
Produce medical reports and error-free letters;
Utilize technology to record clinical, financial and demographic data;
Calculate account balances, and find and evaluate appropriate scientific information related to current medical practice;
Demonstrate empathy and caring for diverse populations, and maintain patient confidentiality as required by federal HIPAA regulations;
Practice within the ethical and legal guidelines appropriate for the profession of medical assisting.

Required Courses

Total Credits: 29

Standard/Technical Skills Notice: To view a list of standard and/or technical skills required for performing duties in various health career fields, visit the Middlesex Community College Health Division website (www.middlesex.mass.edu) or the Student Information Centers. These skills are not conditions for admission to MCC programs, but do indicate abilities and characteristics necessary for successful completion of college Health programs, and to perform the duties of the career upon graduation.

Special Requirements for Medical Assisting Certificate: In clinically related courses, students must receive a “C” or better to remain in the program.

Admission Information

Required Prerequisite Courses: Completion of Keyboarding (BUS 105) or a high school keyboarding class or equivalent. Completion of Microcomputer Applications (CAP 101) or a high school computer applications course or equivalent.

Required Testing: Current scores on the college placement test that show readiness of ENG 101, placement above or completion of Modules 1-4 in MAT 001 (Preparation for College Math), and a reading score of 68. Testing must be completed before admission and within one year of the application deadline.

Required Documents: Admission Application, Admission Requirement Certification Form

Deadline: Priority consideration is given to applications, including all requirements, received by March 30.

Admission Notes: Students applying to Medical Assisting are required to have a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA.

Requirements after Admission to Medical Assisting

Students must submit the Student Health Record form, provided by Middlesex Community College, to the Health Service Office. Required documentation of health status includes a completed physical examination, and proof of immunization against Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Tetanus/Diphtheria (within last ten years) and one lifetime dose of Tdap, Hepatitis B and Varicella. Students born in the United States before January 1, 1957 will be considered immune to Measles, Mumps and Rubella and exempt from the MMR vaccine requirement. Students born in the United States before January 1, 1980 will be considered immune to Varicella (chicken pox) and exempt from the Varicella requirement.
Earn certification in CPR at the Health Care Provider-level which is valid for the entire academic year.

Note: In order for a student to be eligible to participate in an academic, community or clinical program that involves potential unsupervised contact with children, the disabled, the elderly, or other vulnerable populations, the student may be required to undergo a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check and/or a Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) check.