Medical Assisting

Nursing student taking the blood pressure of another student

Medical Assisting

CRT or A.A.S.

Expected Hours for CRT or A.A.S. Degree

42-63

What is Medical Assisting?

There are two pathways offered in this program:

Medical Assisting Certificate (Expected Hours: 42)

Medical Assisting A.A.S. (Expected Hours: 63)

Anyone who completes the A.A.S. also earns the certificate as part of completing the degree.

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. The main goal of the program is to prepare medical assistants who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession.”

Where can I get career information?

Core Performance/Technical Standards for Medical Assisting

Issue Standard Some Examples of
Necessary Activities
(not all inclusive)
Critical Thinking Critical thinking ability sufficient for clinical judgment. Identify cause-effect relationships in clinical
situations.
Interpersonal Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds. Establish rapport with patient/clients and colleagues from a variety of social, economic, religious, and ethnic backgrounds.
Communication Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and written form. Ability to speak, read, write, and use English language effectively. Proficient computer skills. Explain treatment procedures, health teaching, document and interpret clinical actions and patient/client responses.
Mobility Physical abilities sufficient to move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces. Move around in patient exam rooms, work spaces, and treatment areas, administer cardiopulmonary procedures.
Motor Skills Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective patient care. Ability to lift 25 pounds. Ability to stand for 8 hours per day. Calibrate and use equipment, assist the physician with patients/clients.
Hearing Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs. Hears monitor alarm, emergency signals, auscultatory sounds, calls for help.
Visual Visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in patient care. Observes patient/client responses. Detects subtle signs and symptoms, body language, color of wounds and drainage, and possible infections. Interpret written word accurately, read characters and identify colors on computer screen.
Smell Olfactory senses sufficient for maintaining environmental and patient safety.  Distinguish smells that are contributory to assessing and/or maintaining the patient's health status (e.g., smoke, oral).
Self-care Ability to present a professional appearance and implement measures to maintain one's health.  Implement universal precautions. Use good personal hygiene. Maintain a clean, neat, and compassionate demeanor.
Tactile Tactile ability sufficient for patient assessment.  Perform functions of physical exam and/or those related to assisting the physician.
Behavior/Social Emotional and mental stability  Use reasonable judgment and social function effectively. Flexibility with changing circumstances, including multiple interruptions and noises, distractions, and unexpected patient needs. 

What will I learn?

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to do the following:

  1.  Apply proficient knowledge of medical terminology and human anatomy and physiology to health care procedures.
  2.  Examine patient charts and perform clinical duties / procedures essential in patient care
  3.  Evaluate patient files and perform administrative duties and information management in health care setting.
  4.  Analyze workplace decisions to be able to communicate effectively with patients, physicians, and co-workers.
  5.  Develop an awareness of and be able to recognize ethical and legal responsibilities of health care.
  6.  To prepare medical assistants who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession.

What are my options at Cleveland State Community College?

Cleveland State Community College Program Options:

Medical Assisting Certificate

  • Medical Assisting A.A.S. degree

Medical Assisting Outcomes

ID Number: 5797

Program Type: Associate Degree

2022 Annual Report; Submitted March 2023

Retention from 2020 Program: 69.23%
Retention from 2021 Program: 100%

Job Placement from 2020 Graduating Class: 71.43%
Job Placement from 2021 Graduating Class: 90%

The Cleveland State Community College Medical Assisting program is accredited by 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 St. N., #7709, Seminole, FL  33775, 727-210-2350.  The CSCC Medical Assisting Associate’s degree program has been accredited since 1998.

 

Upon successful completion of the Medical Assisting curriculum, students will have acquired the knowledge and skills to establish eligibility for the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA [AAMA]) exam.  Upon certification, graduates will have a reasonable opportunity to secure employment in a field related to the profession.


For more information, please contact the Medical Assisting Program Director at 423-614-8702.

What can I do with this degree?

Medical Assisting is a profession with many rewards, as practitioners can perform both administrative and clinical services, filling several roles in a variety of healthcare environments.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics clearly outlines that it is a growth field, with an anticipated 18% growth from 2020 to 2030. 

Medical Assistants work directly with providers and patients, with the goal of providing healthcare and ensuring patient safety. It is a position with a great deal of responsibility.

As with any healthcare position, there are certain occupational risks that come into play with being a medical assistant, and those hazards include the following:

     •Exposure to infectious diseases
     •Sharps injuries
     •Bloodborne pathogens and biological hazards
     •Chemical and drug exposure
     •Ergonomic hazards from lifting, sitting, and repetitive tasks
     •Latex allergies
     •Stress

At the same time, there are protections set up with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and those protections are particularly important within a healthcare environment. OSHA has a series of standards that protect the safety of healthcare workers and patients.

Accredited medical assisting programs are required to teach students about the hazards that they face on the job and the protocols that can be put into place to ensure a workplace culture that prioritizes safety.

What are my options to pay for this degree?

  • Apply for financial aid at www.FAFSA.gov
  • A student is encouraged to apply early for financial aid. He/she must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the FAFSA Renewal Application as soon as possible after October 1 to ensure that the Financial Aid Office receives the Institutional Student Information Record and other documents prior to the priority deadline. July 1st is the priority deadline for applying for the fall semester and December 1st for the spring semester.

Program Schedule


Fall Semester

ADMN 1306

 

Medical Terminology I

3

ADMN 1307 Survey of Coding

3

MDCA 1301

Medical Assisting I

3

MDCA 1302

Medical Assisting II

3

MDCA 1303 MA Administrative Procedures

3

WKBL 1010 Work-Based Learning - MA

3


Fall Semester Milestones

  • MA I only begins each fall semester with a new group admitted into the program.
  •  
  • Successful completion of ALL courses with a grade of “C” or better is required for the program.
  •  
  • FINANCIAL AID ALERT-If you plan to receive aid, the priority deadline to apply or renew your FAFSA and submit any requested documentation is July 1. Please consult a financial aid specialist and the business office prior to the start of classes to check on fees/expenses and to ensure that you are in good standing.
  •  
  • Work with your Success Coach or Faculty advisor to discuss Spring registration. Remember, advising is key to success!

Spring Semester

ADMN 2304

Introduction to Electronic Health Records

3

MDCA 2301

Medical Assisting Pharmacology

3

MDCA 2302

Healthcare Legal/Ethical Issues

3

MDCA 2403

Medical Assisting III

4

MDCA 2404

Medical Assisting IV

4


Spring Semester Milestones

  • CONGRATULATIONS-You are now entering
    the clinical/lab courses!
  •  
  • FINANCIAL ALERT-If you plan to receive aid, the priority deadline to apply or renew your FAFSA and submit any requested documentation is July 1. Please consult a financial aid specialist and the business office prior to the start of classes to check on fees/expenses and to ensure that you are in good standing.
  •  
  • Work with your Success Coach or Faculty advisor to discuss Fall registration. Remember, advising is key to success!

Summer Semester

MDCA 2306

Medical Assisting Seminar

3

MDCA 2405

Medical Assisting Practicum (Externship)

3

Congratulations!  After you complete this semester’s courses and maintain an overall 2.0 GPA, you will be a Cleveland State graduate.

Apply to graduate by completing the online Intent to Graduate form under the Graduation Tab within Registration Tools & Forms on CougarNet.
  
Complete exit exam in the Testing Center.Schedule to take your exam by going to mycs.cc/testing.
  
Take the CMA (AAMA) exam prior to graduation. Inform the MA program director immediately of exam passing and employment.
A.A.S. only

Fall Semester

ADMN 1302

Keyboarding

3

English 1010

English Composition I

3

INFS 1010

Computer Applications

3

PSYC 1030

Intro to Psychology

3


Fall Semester Milestones

  • FINANCIAL ALERT-If you plan to receive aid, the priority deadline to apply or renew your FAFSA and submit any requested documentation is July 1. Please consult a financial aid specialist and the business office prior to the start of classes to check on fees/expenses and to ensure that you are in good standing.
  •  
  • Work with your advisor to discuss Spring registration. Remember, advising is key to success!
  •   
  • Be sure to report your completed, approved Service-Learning hours at http://srvc.tbr.edu/ to be eligible for a Service-Learning Student Recognition Award at graduation. Need assistance? Email service_learning@clevelandstatecc.edu.
A.A.S. only

Spring Semester

Math 1530

Introductory Statistics

3

PSYC 2130

Lifespan Development Psychology

3

PHIL 1040

Introduction to Ethics

3


Spring Semester Milestones

  • FINANCIAL ALERT-Please consult a financial aid specialist and the business office prior to the start of classes to check on fees/expenses and to ensure that you are in good standing.
  •  
  • Congratulations!  After you complete this semester’s courses and maintain an overall 2.0 GPA, you will be a Cleveland State graduate.
  •  
  • Apply to graduate by completing the online Intent to Graduate form under the Graduation Tab within Registration Tools & Forms on CougarNet.
Career Community Contact
Email

med_assisting@clevelandstatecc.edu

Talk to Us

(423) 614-8702

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