2017-2018 College Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 College Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Medical Assistant, Phlebotomy Specialization, A.S.


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Medical Assistant


Department Chairperson - Ms. Cheryl Kowalczyk, MSN, RN, CMA

Medical Assistant Program VideoConsistent with the philosophy of the College, the Medical Assistant Program centers on preparing students who are seeking gainful employment in community and hospital settings. The curriculum combines science and technical courses with the core courses to provide quality education that will assist the student in acquiring, maintaining, and improving competence in the delivery of patient healthcare. Students in the Medical Assistant Program may choose one of three specializations offered depending on their career or individual interests. With selection of a specialization, students are eligible to sit for national certification examinations for EKG Technician, Certified Phlebotomy Technician, and/or Certified Professional Coder.

Upon completion of the Associate Degree Medical Assistant program graduates will:

  1. have a solid grounding in liberal arts that includes general science, psychology, medical terminology, and anatomy and physiology of the human body;
  2. have an in depth knowledge of the clinical responsibilities of a medical assistant to include: medical law and ethics, asepsis and infection control, specimen collection and processing, diagnostic testing, pharmacology, medical emergencies and patient care;
  3. have a working knowledge of the administrative responsibilities of a medical assistant to include: legal concepts, communication skills, professionalism, patient instruction, clerical functions, bookkeeping and basic accounting, insurance and coding, facility management, and electronic medical records;
  4. be able to effectively use basic equipment utilized by a medical assistant to include: autoclave, electrocardiograph, microscope, centrifuge, spirometer, audiometer, glucometer, computer, and telephone;
  5. be able to perform invasive and non-invasive procedures that provide pertinent information in the diagnosis and treatment of the patient;
  6. understand the code of ethics for Medical Assisting, be able to work collaboratively, and attend to patient needs;
  7. develop the commitment to life long learning and the pursuit of personal and professional growth through the participation in education and professional activities;
  8. be able to successfully pass the certification exam given by the American Association of Medical Assistants and secure an entry-level position in the Medical Assisting field; and
  9. successfully complete pertinent certification examinations in their chosen area of specialization.

The Medical Assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) on recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation for Medical Assistant Education*. Students are encouraged to sit for the American Association of Medical Assistants Certification examination and may also test for Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT), Certified EKG Technician (CET), and Certified Professional Coder (CPC).

*The Curriculum Review Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants’ Endowment (AAMAE).

Specific Program Requirements

  1. If required, completion of EE 091 , EE 093 , and EE 098  are prerequisites to the beginning of formal Medical Assistant curriculum.
  2. Students must achieve a minimum of “C” in all Medical Assistant designated courses and BL 116  to remain in the Medical Assistant program.
  3. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from all clinical and practicum requirements.
  4. Students are required to access their College e-mail daily. E-mail is the official mode of communication College-wide.
  5. Students who are attending a clinical have multiple requirements that need to be completed and submitted electronically. A clinical experience will not be permitted without a physical exam, titers to ensure immunity to Mumps, Rubella, Rubeola, and Varicella, immunization information for Polio, Tetanus, Hepatitis, and Influenza, and a two- step Tuberculosis test. The Health Service Department assists students in creating an account and using a Certified Profile system to upload documentation for approval and tracking.
  6. Students are required to have a current clear urine drug screen, submit to a criminal record check, an FBI fingerprint record check and have a child abuse history clearance.
  7. Students in a Health Studies Division curriculum are assessed a one-time fee to cover incidental expenses connected with your program’s clinical education. One American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR certification (Adult, Child, Infant and AED), one urine drug screening, one criminal record check, one FBI fingerprint record check, and one child abuse clearance (if required) are included in the fee. If additional criminal record checks, child abuse clearances or urine drug screens are required, the student will be responsible for any additional costs associated with updating their requirements.
  8. Students are required to have and maintain a current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR Certification (Adult, Child, Infant and AED) for the duration of their clinical experience.

Core Course Requirements


Communication/Writing


Art/English/Music/Theatre/Social Science


History/Political Science


  • HS or PS 3 Credits

Science/Math


Information Communication Technologies


Religious Studies


  • RS 3 Credits

Cultural Diversity


  • Cultural Diversity: 3 Credits

Total Credits in Core: 25 Credits


Major Course Requirements


Total Credits in Major: 35 Credits


Phlebotomy Specialization


Required Courses


Total Credits for Specialization: 12 Credits


Total Credits for Degree: 66 Credits


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