Medical Assistant A.A.S. Degree

Career Description

According to the Department of Employment and Economic Development, the need for health care support workers to meet both short-term and long-term workforce needs is high. Medical assistants are multi-skilled individuals who are able to competently perform clinical and laboratory duties including collecting medical histories, taking and recording vital signs, explaining treatment procedures, preparing patients for examinations and x-rays, administering medications, removing sutures, changing dressings, sterilizing medical instruments, preparing examining room equipment and instruments, assisting the physician during examinations, preparing laboratory specimens, drawing blood, and performing basic laboratory tests. They may also perform duties that include answering phones, greeting patients, scheduling appointments, as well as other administrative duties. Upon successful completion of all coursework and a 225 hour clinical internship, students will prepare to sit for the national AAMA certification exam to become a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) AAMA, or to sit for the national AMT certification exam to become a Registered Medical Assistant (RMA).

Program Information

The Medical Assistant Program is designed to prepare students for career opportunities in the rapidly growing, high-demand field of health care support. Instruction is focused to enable graduates to perform clinical, laboratory, and administrative tasks to keep the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other health care practitioners running smoothly. The general education credits allow students the opportunity to obtain an AAS Degree. By doing so, students become more well-rounded in their knowledge of the world around them when interacting with patients, families, providers and healthcare team members.

Program Outcomes

Graduates will be able to:

• Interact with patients, families, providers and healthcare team members in a respectful and caring manner;
• Apply administrative business and office procedures and implement medical documentation systems;
• Assist providers and healthcare team members in clinical procedures related to examination and treatment;
• Effectively use quality assurance requirements in performing clinical and laboratory procedures;
• Perform common diagnostic procedures under a licensed healthcare provider ensuring patient comfort and safety; and
• Demonstrate professional behaviors and attitudes consistent with delivery of safe, ethical, legal and compassionate patient care.

Special Program Requirements

Students must meet the following conditions in order to graduate:

1. College Cumulative GPA Requirement: cumulative grade point average (GPA) of credits attempted at CLC must be at least 2.0;
2. College Technical Core GPA Requirement: cumulative GPA of credits attempted towards the technical core of the diploma or degree must be at least 2.0; and
3. Residency Requirement: students must complete 25% (15) of their credits at Central Lakes College.

Admissions

American Heart Association Health Care Provider (CPR) certification is required before working with patients. Admission start date is Fall semester. A high school diploma or GED is required. Please contact the Admissions Department on the Brainerd or Staples campus for information or to apply to the program.

Employment Statistics

For more information regarding employment statistics, career salary information and estimated job growth, follow the resource links below:

https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/ces/
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/home.htm
http://www.iseek.org/jobs/jobmarket.html