Medical Assisting Technology
Medical assistants are multi-skilled, allied health professionals who perform both administrative and clinical duties primarily in out patient facilities. Upon completion of the program, the student will earn an Associate of Applied Science Degree, and then is eligible to become Board Certified in June. Upon successful completion of the National Certification Exam (written by the AAMA and the National Board of Medical Examiners) the student becomes a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA). The CMA must recertify every 5 years either by CEUs or by retaking the test.
The Medical Assisting program is accredited by the Commission of Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Curriculum Review Board of The American Association of Medical Assistants Endowment (AAMAE). Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, 1361 Park Street, Clearwater, FL 33756, 727-210-2350.
For more information on Medical Assisting Technology visit the American Association of Medical Assistants.
Admission Information
• ACT of 17. If a student does not have the 17, the student must take A&P I and II (with concurrent labs) and pass with a GPA of 2.5 before entering into the program.
• CPR - Health Care Provider certification.
• Completion of the college approved Physical Examination Form within 3 months of enrollment to the program.
• Completion of all developmental classes.
• Core Performance Standards
Administrative Duties
Answering telephones; Greeting patients; Updating, maintaining, and filing patient charts; Billing and Coding; Scheduling appointments; Performing transcription
Clinical Duties
Taking patient histories and obtaining vital signs; Preparing patients for examination; Assisting the physician during the examination; Assisting with minor surgical procedures; Collecting specimens (blood/urine) and performing basic laboratory tests; Providing patient instruction/education; Preparing and administering medications directed by a physician; Authorizing drug refills as directed/telephone prescriptions to pharmacies; Performing EKGs; Removing sutures; Changing dressing/applying bandages
Working Conditions
• Certified Medical Assistants (CMA) constantly interact with people (health care team, patients, and physicians) and may have to handle several responsibilities at once.
• Most CMAs work a regular forty-hour week. Some work part time, evening or weekends. Most students enter this program because they have an interest in medicine and want to work in the medical environment, but do not wish to work in a hospital, or work the shift schedule.
• This profession offers such a variety of work assignments. It is especially aimed at someone who is interested in several areas such as Health Information Technology, Surgical Technology, Medical Laboratory, and Practical Nursing.
Contact
Chrissy King, Instructor/Program Coordinator
3805 U.S. 80 East, Pearl, MS 39208
(601) 936-5582