Medical Assistant MAS.S.CRT

One-year Technical Certificate - 37 Credit Hours

Division: Health Sciences
Department: Medical Assistant Technology
Effective as of Fall 2020

What is the program about?

Medical assistants are multi-skilled professionals who assist physicians with the administrative and clinical aspects of patient care. This certificate is designed to be completed in three (3) semesters on a full-time basis. The certificate consists of open enrollment courses (general education and division specific) and program specific courses with limited enrollment. The open enrollment courses may be taken prior to entry into the limited enrollment courses. To qualify for entry to limited enrollment courses, please see the Applicant Information packet located on the webpage. A cumulative GPA of 2.0 is required, as well as a grade of C or higher in all certificate courses. The student will be required to complete 210 hours of unpaid supervised practicum during their third semester of the certificate. Note: Healthcare Professional CPR, health certificate, immunizations, student health insurance, and background check must be completed prior to enrolling in the practicum component of the curriculum. The graduate is eligible to sit for a national exam to become a credentialed medical assistant.

Program Outcomes

• Demonstrate professional behaviors and attitudes consistent with the delivery of safe, ethical, legal and compassionate patient care.
• Demonstrate the ability to competently perform clinical duties associated with assisting a physician in the diagnosis and treatment of patients in an ambulatory care setting.
• Successfully meet the eligibility criteria to apply for a national credentialing exam.
• Identify, evaluate and appropriately apply principles of office management and demonstrate competence in performing administrative duties and managing medical practice finances.

Career Opportunities

Currently medical assisting is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States with an expected increase in potential jobs by as much as 19% through 2029 (US Bureau of Labor Statistics, July 27, 2021). Options for individuals seeking medical services and treatment: urgent care, surgicare and ambulatory care centers, as well as health maintenance organizations (HMO's), multi-physician group practices and medical specialty clinics have opened new career opportunities.

Credentials

Certification is optional for students once they have completed the program. Graduates may practice without certification at this time. The national trend is promoting working medial assistants to obtain a credential.

Program Accreditation Information

Sinclair Community College's Medical Assistant certificate program is accredited the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB). Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, 9355 113th Street N., #7709, Seminole, FL 33775.