Medical Assisting Certificate

Lowell Campus

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.”

Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of Medical Assisting 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

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 CAP 101 Computer Applications or equivalent high school computer applications course.

Required Testing:

Eligible for ENG 101; eligibility may be demonstrated through placement, current enrollment, or previous college coursework
Eligible for MAT 070 or Math Module 5 in Preparation for College Math; eligibility may be demonstrated through placement, current enrollment, or previous college coursework

Required Documents: Admission Application, Admission Requirement Certification Form

Deadline: Priority consideration is given to applications, including all requirements, received by May 1.

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

Requirements after Admission to Medical Assisting

Students accepted to Health Programs must be in compliance with the current immunization requirements specified by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for Health Care Personnel (HCP) and in accordance with state law, MGL, Chapter 76, Section 15C, and its regulations at 105 CMR 220.700 in order to participate in an externship placement or clinical experience.
Students must submit the Student Health Record form, provided by Middlesex Community College, to the Student Information Center. 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, Meningitis, and one lifetime dose of TDAP (Tetanus/Diphtheria/Acellular Pertussis - after 2006). Most programs also require seasonal flu vaccine.
As part of the program, students will participate in a non-paid clinical internship experience.
Students are responsible for their own transportation to clinical sites.
Students must 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.
Science courses must be taken within 5 years of entrance to the program to be accepted for credit toward the Medical Assisting Certificate.
Students must achieve a grade of “C” (73%) or better in each of the Medical Assisting (MAS) courses to progress in the program.
Students enrolled in the Medical Assisting program must demonstrate a satisfactory level of performance in the clinical courses in order to progress in the program.
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.