The Medical Assistant Certificate program prepares students to be proficient in their profession and to demonstrate successful competence in the outcomes established by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs in their Standards and Guidelines for Medical Assisting Educational Programs. Upon successful completion of this program you will have the skills required to pass the RMA examination (Registered Medical Assistant) and to obtain an entry-level position in the medical assisting profession.

Prerequisites

You will need to demonstrate proficiencies in reading, English, and mathematics based on the COMPASS assessment test, ACT or SAT scores, or by taking the recommended/required classes.  Some of the courses in this curriculum have specific prerequisites.  Prerequisites can be found on the reverse side (Guide to Completing Program Requirements) or in the college catalog.

General Education (GE) Courses

The medical assistant program is designed as a terminal certificate program. Contact the program coordinator for information on earning an Associate Degree.  Certificate students are not required to take specific elective courses for this program.  Students completing this program will earn several credit hours that can be applied to the associate degree, if they choose to pursue that option at a later date.  Students should work closely with their advisors to determine the most efficient method of obtaining career goals.

Program Core Courses

ALMA 110 Medical Assisting I, ALMA 120 Medical Assisting I Lab, ALHE 105 Medical Terminology, CSIS 100 Microcomputer Business Applications, ALHE 102 Nurse Aide, ALMA 150 Medical Assisting II, ALMA 160 Medical Assisting II Lab, ALMA 125 Human Body in Health & Disease or BIOL 102, ALHT 130 Introduction to Medical Coding, ALHE 104 Medication Aide or ALHE 122 Introduction to Pharmacology, ALMA 180 Externship

Program Outcomes

1. Practice clerical functions.

2. Perform bookkeeping functions.

3. Process insurance claims.

4. Apply fundamental medical office clinical procedures.

5. Perform specimen collection.

6. Perform diagnostic testing.

7. Provide medical office patient care.

8. Communicate effectively.

9. Apply legal and ethical concepts.

10. Instruct patients.

11. Perform medical office operational functions.

Course Sequence

The listing that follows is a suggested sequence of courses for  full-time students.  Consult your advisor for information specific to your academic situation. Suggest completion of ALHE 102 Nurse Aide and/or ALHE 104 Medication Aide during summer semester.

Medical Assistant Certificate

recommended Sequence of Courses

(Summer) or instructor approval                                       Cr Hr

ALHE 102    Nurse Aide                                                       6

                            Total -                                 6

(Fall) Semester I

CSIS  100    Computer Concepts & Applications                       3

ALHE 105    Medical Terminology                                          3

ALMA 110   Medical Assisting I                                              3

ALMA 120            Medical Assisting I Lab                               4

ALMA 125   Human Body in Health and Disease                       3

                    Total -                                                           16

(Spring) Semester II

ALMA 150   Medical Assisting II                                              3

ALMA 160   Medical Assisting II Lab                                       4

ALHT 225    Introduction to ICD-9-CM Coding                           3

ALHE 104    Medication Aide                                                  5

                          Total-                                15

(Summer) Semester III

 ALMA 180  Externship                                                          4

                           Total-                            4

 Total Program Credits                                                      41

These courses provide required information for those aspiring to become Medical Assistants.

Medical Assistant I
This course provides required information for those aspiring to become Medical Assistants.  This is the first of a two-course sequence.  Theory regarding anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, scheduling, examining room techniques, and medical record management will be introduced. [ Back to Top ]

Program Description [pdf]

Program Information Booklet [pdf]

Program Flier [pdf]

Medical Assistant II
This course is the second of a two-course sequence.  It a continuation of Medical Assistant I and provides additional information for those aspiring to become Medical Assistants. [ Back to Top ]

Medical Coding Certificate
This course is the second of a two-course sequence.  It a continuation of Medical Assistant I and provides additional information for those aspiring to become Medical Assistants. [ Back to Top ]

Program Description [pdf]

Program Information Booklet [pdf]

Program Flier [pdf]