Medical Assisting Overview (5236) Limited Access
Type of Award
CCP - Career Certificate Program
Program Website
www.palmbeachstate.edu/career-pathways/pathway-health/default.aspx
Program Description
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.
This CCP program prepares students for employment as vital members of a physician's health care team. This program is taught in an office-like setting, allowing students to learn the necessary skills to work in both the administrative and clinical settings of a physician's office, outpatient clinics, ambulatory surgery centers, medical and diagnostic laboratories, kidney dialysis centers and offices of other health care practitioners.
Coursework for the Medical Assisting program covers anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, pathophysiology, basic accounting, insurance processing and electronic health records. Students learn laboratory techniques, clinical and diagnostic procedures, pharmaceutical principles, medication administration and first aid. Coursework also includes practice with such skills as insurance coding and billing, posting charges, basic bookkeeping, front office reception, patient assessment, assisting with examinations, giving injections, phlebotomy, taking vital signs, doing electrocardiography and much more.
Program Accreditation
The Palm Beach State College Medical Assisting Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB).
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
25400 U.S. Highway 19 North, Suite 158 Clearwater, Fl 33763, telephone 727-210-2350.
Program Learning Outcomes
For detailed information, visit www.palmbeachstate.edu/learningoutcomes/Program-Learning-Outcomes
General Admission Requirements to the College
- Complete an Application for Admission, located at www.palmbeachstate.edu/admissions/Admissions-Applications
- Submit an official high school or GED transcript and official college/university transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended. Refer to the Admission Procedures section of the college catalog for more information regarding transcripts.
Admission Requirements for Medical Assisting
In addition to the General Admission requirements, student must meet the following eligibility criteria to be considered for selection to the program. (Meeting admission criteria does not guarantee acceptance into the program).
- Take the TABE exam if not exempt from TABE testing. To determine if you are exempt, please go to www.palmbeachstate.edu/ academicservices/Curriculum-and-Programs
- It is strongly suggested to attend a Medical Assisting information session but not a requirement for admission; dates located on program website.
- Submit a completed Limited Access Medical Assisting program application, located on the program website, by the deadline date.
Completion Requirements
Students must successfully complete all courses listed in the catalog for this program. Students must pass with the following minimum TABE scores prior to completion of the third sequence of the program: Reading: 10; English: 10; Mathematics: 10 or qualify for TABE exemption.
Program Length
1,300 hours, or approximately 13 months. Medical Assisting is a daytime program only.
Location
The program is offered at the Lake Worth campus.
For More Information
Barbara Kalfin, Program Director, kalfinb@palmbeachstate.edu, (561) 868-3562
Cathy Lombard, Health Science Advisor, lombardc@palmbeachstate.edu, (561) 868-3949
Employment Opportunities
Upon completion of this program, you may seek employment as a medical assistant in a physician's office, hospital, outpatient clinic, chiropractors, pediatrics, emergency 24-hour care, private and public educational agencies, alternative ambulatory health care services, state and local government agencies, referral and diagnostics labs, and other specializations.
Career Path Notes
Upon program completion, students must sit for the American Association of Medical Assisting (AAMA) national certification exam to become a Certified Medical Assistant, CMA (AAMA). Employers are making hiring decisions based on proof that a candidate for a medical assistant position is certified.
Career Center
www.palmbeachstate.edu/Career
For more information about employment opportunities including job outlook and salary information visit: Occupational Outlook Handbook: www.bls.gov/ooh
O-Net Online: www.onetonline.org
Required courses:
Required Courses (Clock Hours: 1,300)
| MEA0005 | Introduction to Medical Assisting (CCP) | 78 clock hours |
| MEA0231 | Anatomy and Physiology (CCP) | 69 clock hours |
| MEA0230 | Medical Terminology for Body Systems (CCP) | 95 clock hours |
| OTA0100 | Introduction to Keyboarding/Word Processing (CCP) | 60 clock hours |
| MEA0310 | Introduction to Medical Office Procedures (CCP) | 90 clock hours |
| MEA0520 | Phlebotomy for the Medical Assistant (CCP) | 75 clock hours |
| MEA0242 | Pharmacology for the Medical Assistant (CCP) | 95 clock hours |
| MEA0540 | Electrocardiography for the Medical Assistant (CCP) | 75 clock hours |
| MEA0234 | Diseases, Disorders, and Treatment for Medical Assisting 1 (CCP) | 120 clock hours |
| MEA0258 | Radiology for the Medical Assistant (CCP) | 50 clock hours |
| MEA0334 | Medical Insurance and Coding (CCP) | 75 clock hours |
| MEA0237 | Diseases, Disorders, and Treatment for Medical Assisting 2 (CCP) | 120 clock hours |
| MEA0254 | Basic Medical Laboratory Techniques for the Medical Assistant (CCP) | 50 clock hours |
| MEA0322 | Advanced Medical Office Procedures (CCP) | 75 clock hours |
| MEA0801 | Externship in Medical Assisting (CCP) | 173 clock hours |
Total Clock Hours: 1300
Course Sequence
Term One - Fall (Year One) (Clock Hours: 392)
| MEA0005 | Introduction to Medical Assisting (CCP) | 78 clock hours |
| MEA0231 | Anatomy and Physiology (CCP) | 69 clock hours |
| MEA0230 | Medical Terminology for Body Systems (CCP) | 95 clock hours |
| OTA0100 | Introduction to Keyboarding/Word Processing (CCP) | 60 clock hours |
| MEA0310 | Introduction to Medical Office Procedures (CCP) | 90 clock hours |
Term Two - Spring (Year One) (Clock Hours: 440)
| MEA0234 | Diseases, Disorders, and Treatment for Medical Assisting 1 (CCP) | 120 clock hours |
| MEA0258 | Radiology for the Medical Assistant (CCP) | 50 clock hours |
| MEA0334 | Medical Insurance and Coding (CCP) | 75 clock hours |
| MEA0237 | Diseases, Disorders, and Treatment for Medical Assisting 2 (CCP) | 120 clock hours |
| MEA0322 | Advanced Medical Office Procedures (CCP) | 75 clock hours |
Term Three - Summer (Year One) (Clock Hours: 295)
| MEA0254 | Basic Medical Laboratory Techniques for the Medical Assistant (CCP) | 50 clock hours |
| MEA0520 | Phlebotomy for the Medical Assistant (CCP) | 75 clock hours |
| MEA0242 | Pharmacology for the Medical Assistant (CCP) | 95 clock hours |
| MEA0540 | Electrocardiography for the Medical Assistant (CCP) | 75 clock hours |
Term One - Fall (Year Two) (Clock Hours: 173)
| MEA0801 | Externship in Medical Assisting (CCP) | 173 clock hours |
Total Clock Hours: 1300