Medical Assisting Certificate

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The Medical Assisting Program at Middlesex Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of Medical Assistant Education Review Board (MAERB).

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
25400 US Highway 19 North, Suite 158
Clearwater, FL 33763
(727)210-2350

Lowell Campus - Day

Program Description:

The primary goal of the Medical Assisting program is to prepare competent entry-level Medical Assistants in the knowledge (cognitive), skills (psychomotor), and professional behavior (affective) learning domains. Students with different learning styles will obtain knowledge (cognitive domain) by using lecture, visual aids, assessments and externships to ensure mastery of core content. Students will learn professional behavior (affective domain), through the use of scenarios to demonstrate communication and critical thinking skills which will prepare them for situations they will experience in the workplace. Additionally, students will learn and practice “hands on” (psychomotor domain) skills in the laboratory setting before attending externship to verify competency as an “entry level medical assistant.”

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:

In accordance with Federal regulations, Middlesex Community College discloses information about student costs, tuitions, fees and employment statistics to various governing bodies to ensure certification and oversight.

See: Gainful Employment Information

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:

Function as competent entry-level medical assistants;
Perform medical assisting administrative and clinical procedures competently and safely within their scope of practice;
Demonstrate appropriate communication skills by effectively engaging in written and oral communication as demonstrated through charting and communication with patients from different age groups, cultures and other health professionals;
Perform within legal and ethical boundaries in the scope of practice for medical assistants.

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 Microcomputer Applications (CAP 101) or a high school computer applications course or equivalent. (Effective Spring 2016)

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.

Please Note: Required Prerequisites will change for Fall 2016. The new requirements will be: Completion of CAP 101 Computer Applications or equvalent high school computer applications course. Eligibility for ENG 101. Placement above or completion of Preparation for College Math modules 1-4. Current CPT Reading score of 68 or better. Visit Health Programs Admission Requirements for additional information.

Requirements after Admission to Medical Assisting

Students must submit the Student Health Record form, provided by Middlesex Community College, to the Center for Health & Wellness. Required documentation of health status includes a completed physical examination, a two-step Mantoux (TB/PPD) skin test or blood test (T-Spot or Quantiferon Gold) for tuberculosis, a color deficiency test, proof of immunization against Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Hepatitis B, Varicella, and one lifetime dose of TDAP (Tetanus/Diphtheria/Acellular Pertussis - after 2006).
Earn and submit a current certification in CPR at the Health Care Provider-level (offered monthly at MCC) which is valid for the entire academic year and renewed annually.
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.