Medical Assistant Certificate

Program Checksheet (opens a new window) |

The Medical Assistant Certificate program prepares students for employment in health care offices including primary care and specialty physicians' offices, ambulatory care, and urgent care facilities.

Credit Hours Required: 33-44

Medical Assistant Certificate Suggested Course Sequence

Program Requirements

AHS 100 - Fundamentals of Health Care Credits: 3
AHS 105 - Phlebotomy Credits: 2
AHS 120 - Foundations of Medical Assisting I Credits: 3
AHS 121 - Foundations of Medical Assisting II Credits: 4
AHS 130 - Medical Terminology for Patient Care Staff Credits: 3
AHS 140 - Pharmacology for Allied Health Credits: 2
AHS 295 - AHS Practicum: Medical Assistant Credits: 3
Note: Students must enroll in AHS 295 within 3 semesters of completing AHS 121, as well as complete all Medical Assistant requirements and receive program director permission, prior to enrollment.
CSA 126 - Microsoft Office for Windows Credits: 3
HIM 173 - Legal and Ethical Aspects of Health Information Management Credits: 2
HIM 240 - Disease Process Credits: 4
MAT 100 - Technical Mathematics Credits: 3 ^*Recommended
OR Choose from Mathematics

OR Satisfactory score on skills assessment

AND choose one Biology option below:

Option 1

BIO 160 - Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology Credits: 4

Option 2

Note: Students planning to pursue a Medical Assistant AAS degree should complete this option.

BIO 181 or BIO 156 Credits: 4
BIO 201 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credits: 4
BIO 202 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II Credits: 4

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Medical Assistant Certificate program, the learner will be able to:

Manage medical records upholding security and privacy standards as outlined in HIPAA regulations. (AHS 100, AHS 105. AHS 120, AHS 121, AHS 295, HIM 173)
Use computer programs commonly found in health care settings. (AHS 105, AHS 120, AHS 121, AHS 295, CSA 126)
Assist the health care provider in delivering care to clients with multiple health care needs. (AHS 100, AHS 105, AHS 120, AHS 121, AHS 130, AHS 140, AHS 295, BIO 160, BIO 201, BIO 202, HIM 240)
Document how diversity and culture affect delivery of health care. (AHS 100, AHS 105, AHS 120, AHS 121, AHS 295)
Obtain specimens for diagnostic evaluation and testing. (AHS 105, AHS 121, AHS 295)
Describe the structural organization of the body. (AHS 100, AHS 105, AHS 121, BIO 160, BIO 201, BIO 202, HIM 240)
Calculate medical dosages. (AHS 121, AHS 295, MAT 100)
List the indications for use, dosage forms, usual dosage, side effects, interactions with other drugs, storage requirements, generic and trade names and mechanism of action for common used medications. (AHS 121, AHS 140, AHS 295)
For all major body systems, describe common diseases and conditions, methods of diagnosis, short and long term effects of disease processes, treatment and therapy and restoration strategies. (AHS 105, AHS 121, AHS 130, AHS 295, HIM 240)
Distinguish if it is appropriate to release patient records in accordance with policies and procedures for access and disclosure of personal health information. (AHS 100, AHS 105, AHS 120, AHS 121, AHS 295, HIM 173)
Use effective communication skills with health care professionals and patients. (AHS 100, AHS 105, AHS 120, AHS 121, AHS 295)

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