Certified Medical Assistant

The Certified Medical Assistant Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree program is a two-year program that prepares students for careers, career changes, and career advancement performing clerical duties and assisting in the clinical situations normally associated with medical offices, clinics, and other health related settings. This program offers training in recognized medical areas with emphasis on analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. The program content provides depth and breadth in conceptual and professional/medical skills. The general education courses provide students a foundation of values, attitudes, and skills necessary to become responsible and concerned citizens and lifelong learners possessing the ability to think critically, communicate effectively, and solve problems in a diverse global society and compete successfully in the job market. The professional/medical courses prepare students with the skills to obtain entry-level employment and to advance in the workforce. Clinical skills a medical assistant may utilize are preparing patients for examinations, taking vital signs, assisting with first aid, and collecting and processing specimens. Clerical skills include scheduling appointments, preparing and maintaining permanent records, arranging hospital admissions, typing reports, processing health insurance forms, ordering supplies, and keeping financial records. Upon completion of the degree, students can take the CCMA/CMAA exam through the National Healthcareer Association to become a Certified Medical Assistant. The student will also be eligible to sit for the Certified Phlebotomy Technician and Certified EKG Technician tests. Certified Medical Assistant students must pass all courses in the program with at least a C and maintain a minimum term GPA of 2.0 to proceed through the program.