Earn a Medical Assistant proficiency certificate in as little as two semesters and begin a career in a variety of medical settings. Upon successful completion, you will be eligible to take a national certification exam for a medical assistant and a phlebotomy certification exam. You also have the option of continuing your education. Your course credits will count toward an associate degree in Health Care Studies. The Medical Assistant program will provide you with the knowledge to complete a variety of tasks: prepare patients for examinations and assist the physician with examinations and treatments, take patients’ vital signs (temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure), perform electrocardiography and spirometry testing, instruct patients about medication, administer injections, sterilize instruments and treatment rooms, obtain blood specimens, and perform collection and processing techniques on blood specimens for testing blood sugar, cholesterol and hemoglobin. Skilled and personable medical assistants are in high demand and have many employment opportunities in health clinics, physician practices and other health care environments.
Medical Assistant Proficiency Certificate
Career Options
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Courses and Completion Sequence
Course Number and Name | Credits | Advisory Notes | Course Type |
---|---|---|---|
AH 103 - Medical Terminology | 3 credits | Major Course | |
AH 116 - Therapeutic Communication | 3 credits | Major Course | |
BIOL 108 - Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology* | 4 credits | BIOL 108, a one semester course in Anatomy and Physiology is the minimum requirement for this Certificate. However, students who have completed the two semester anatomy and physiology sequence (BIOL 109-BIOL 110) may substitute BIOL 109-110 in place of BIOL 108, provided that they have completed both BIOL 109 and BIOL 110. Prerequisite: FNMT 118, or placement in MATH 161 or higher |
Major Course |
AH 112 - Medical Administrative Procedures | 3 credits | Must earn a grade of "C" or better | Major Course |
AH 113 - Exam Room Procedures I | 3 credits | Prerequisites: AH 103 and BIOL 108, which may be taken concurrently | Major Course |
AH 115 - Exam Room Procedures II | 3 credits | Prerequisites: AH 103, AH 113 and BIOL 108, all of which may be taken concurrently. | Major Course |
MLT 102 - Phlebotomy | 4 credits | Major Course | |
AH 118 - Professional Skills/Employment Seminar | 1 credit | Prerequisites: AH 113 and AH 115, all of which may be taken concurrently | Major Course |
AH 204 - Medical Law and Ethics | 3 credits | Prerequisite: ENGL 101 | Major Course |
General Education Requirements:
All general education requirements necessary for graduation are met through the courses in the program as indicated above. Students who wish to take courses that differ from the general education courses indicated above must complete a course substitution request form. To access the form, login to the MyCCP portal, and in the Student tab, under Electronic Forms, click on the Records and Registration Forms link, then choose Request For Course Substitution Of Graduation Requirement link. A more detailed explanation of the College’s general education requirements is also available.
Featured Career
Medical Secretary
Perform secretarial duties using specific knowledge of medical terminology and hospital, clinic, or laboratory procedures. Duties may include scheduling appointments, billing patients, and compiling and recording medical charts, reports.
$39,022
3,321
in the region
+9.9%
in the region
Typical Tasks
- Schedule and confirm patient diagnostic appointments, surgeries, or medical consultations. Answer telephones and direct calls to appropriate staff.
- Operate office equipment, such as voice mail messaging systems, and use word processing, spreadsheet, or other software applications to prepare reports, invoices, financial statements, letters, case histories, or medical records.
- Maintain medical records, technical library, or correspondence files.
- Compile and record medical charts, reports, or correspondence, using typewriter or personal computer.
How well does it pay?
New workers generally start around $28,939. Normal pay for Medical Secretaries is $39,022 per year, while highly experienced workers can earn as much as $54,702.
Program Information
Medical Assistant Proficiency Certificate
Degree Type:
Proficiency CertificateCredits Needed to Graduate:
27