Medical Assisting
Medical Assisting Program Admissions Packet
Medical Assisting Program Student Handbook
Career Overview
Medical Assistants prepare patients for examinations by taking temperature, weight, blood pressure and pulse, and then aid physicians during exams and treatments. They may give injections, draw blood, prepare lab specimens, and conduct evaluation testing. They also have administrative duties such as billing and collections, scheduling appointments, maintaining files, preparing reports, and designing office procedures.
Medical Assistants are multi-skilled health professionals specifically educated to work in ambulatory settings performing administrative and clinical duties. The practice of medical assisting directly influences the public's health and well-being, and requires mastery of a complex body of knowledge and specialized skills requiring both formal education and practical experience that serve as standards for entry into the profession.
Length of Training
Students can expect to complete the program in approximately one year by attending day and evening classes on a full time basis, or within two years on a part time basis or evening classes only. Tuition for this 768-hour program totals approximately $3,020. Books, uniforms, health insurance, and liability insurance are also required.
Accreditation & Certification
The Richland College Medical Assisting Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) on recommendation of the Curriculum Review Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants’ Endowment (AAME). Successful completers of the program are eligible to sit for the CMA exam given by the American Association of Medical Assistants.
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
1361 Park Street
Clearwater, FL 33756
(727) 210-2350
Clinical Requirements
Proof of medical and liability insurance, CPR, required immunizations, TB test, criminal background check and drug screen required.
Prerequisites
- High school diploma, GED or transcript evaluation equivalence
- 18 years of age
- Eligible to work in the US
- Documentation or assessment of entry-level college academic skills in reading, writing, and basic arithmetic or previous credit college-level coursework
- Documentation or assessment of computer skills by either transcripted computer course work or free computer skills assessment on campus for Windows and MS Office
- Completed application packet, health evaluation form, & up-to-date immunization records
Coursework
| General Studies Courses | |
|---|---|
| Medical Terminology I (MDCA 1013) | 64 |
| Human Behavior in Health Professions (COMG 1045) | 32 |
| Human Disease/ Pathophysiology (MDCA 1002) | 48 |
| English & Communications (HPRS 2032) | 48 |
| Medical Law & Ethics for Health Professionals (PBHL 1001) | 16 |
| Medical Office Technology | |
| Medical Office Procedures (MDCA 1013) | 64 |
| Medical Insurance Coding (MDCA 1043) | 48 |
| Pharmacology for Office Personnel (HPRS 2000) | 48 |
| Computers in Healthcare (HITT 1011) | 32 |
| Electronic Medical Records (HITT 1091) | 16 |
| Medical Assisting Clinical | |
| Procedures in a Clinical Setting (MDCA 1017) | 64 |
| Advanced Medical Assistant Technology (MDCA 2031) | 32 |
| Medical Assistant Laboratory Procedures (MDCA 1052) | 64 |
| CMA Exam Review (MDCA 1054) | 32 |
| Medical Assisting clinical externship (MDCA 1061) | 160 |
| Total | 768 | *Course offerings vary by semester. |
Please call 972-238-6950 or
email HealthProfessions@dcccd.edu or
visit our website Health Professions Home
Continuing Education Class Listings
Spring 2012