Medical Assisting

Program description

The Medical Assisting Program prepares the student with the knowledge, skills, and distinctive qualities necessary for the medical assisting profession. The medical assistant possesses a broad scope of skills which make them ideal allied health professionals in the ambulatory care setting. During this program, students will learn vitals, EKG, venipuncture, injections and pharmacology, assisting in minor office surgery, waived testing, patient advocacy and education, medical terminology, basic anatomy, physiology, and microbiology, as well as medical office administrative tasks. Such versatility affords graduates the opportunity to find employment in clinics, urgent-care facilities, primary care and specialty physician offices, including podiatry, chiropractic, and optometry. Medical assistants have also found employment in medical laboratories, surgical centers, electrocardiography departments in hospitals, government agencies, and educational institutions. The program is two semesters and a Certificate of Achievement may be earned by completing all courses with a grade of “C” or better. The medical assisting profession is highly diversified, and the work is challenging and personally rewarding.

This certificate is approved through the California Community College Chancellor’s Office. Upon satisfactory completion of the listed requirements and filing an application for graduation with Admissions and Records, the student’s transcript will reflect completion of this certificate.

Program learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this certificate, the student should be able to:

4. Apply the knowledge and skills needed to perform entry-level competencies in clinical and administrative medical assisting as outlined by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
5. Apply the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully pass the certification exam.
6. Apply knowledge, skills, and professionalism necessary to compete in the job market.
7. Demonstrate the ability to work effectively as an individual and collaboratively as a team member to resolve challenges in a changing healthcare environment.

STUDENT SELECTION AND FEES Space in the program is limited. In order to be eligible for enrollment, students must satisfy the prerequisites listed and file a program enrollment packet with the Admissions Office during designated enrollment periods. Students are enrolled on a first come first serve basis until classes are full.

To begin the program, the student must:

• Complete the Admission Application for Shasta College or be an active Shasta College student.
• Submit completed Medical Assisting Application Packet and meet all Clinical Safety Requirements
• Enroll in courses following the recommended sequence of courses for the Medical Assisting Program.

Additional fees include:

• Textbooks
• Immunizations
• Scrubs, athletic shoes, stethoscope
• Certification fees

Certificate requirements