Medical Assisting Advanced Overview (2314)
Type of Award
AS - Associate in Science
Program Website
www.pbsc.edu/careerpathways/pathway-health/default.aspx
Program Description
Medical assistants are multiskilled 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. It requires mastery of a complex body of knowledge and specialized skills, gained through both formal education and practical experience, that serve as standards for entry into the profession.
This Associate in Science degree prepares students for employment as vital members of a physician's health care team. This program is taught in a medical office-like setting, allowing students to learn the necessary skills to work in both the administrative and clinical areas of a physician's practice, as well as outpatient clinics, ambulatory surgery centers, medical and diagnostic laboratories, kidney dialysis centers and offices of other health care practitioners.
Coursework for the Medical Assisting Advanced A.S. degree 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 Learning Outcomes
For detailed information, visit: www.pbsc.edu/learningoutcomes/Program-Learning-Outcomes
Admission Requirements
- Submit an official high school or GED transcript and official college/university transcripts from each postsecondary institution attended. Refer to the Admission Procedures section of the college catalog for more information regarding transcripts.
- Complete an Application for Admission, located at www.pbsc.edu/admissions/Admissions-Applications.
Completion Requirements
Students must successfully complete all courses listed in the catalog for this program with a grade of "C" or higher.
Program Length
2 years
Location
The program is offered at Lake Worth campus.
For More Information
Penny Knight, Program Director, mintsp@palmbeachstate.edu, (561) 868-3165
Cathy Lombard, Health Sciences Advisor, lombardc@palmbeachstate.edu, (561) 868-3949
Employment Opportunities
The Medical Assisting Advanced Associate in Science degree will provide students with the skills and knowledge to perform both administrative and clinical duties in ambulatory care settings. Students can work in physician practices, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, ambulatory surgery centers, urgent care centers, rural health clinics, federally qualified health centers, and more.
Career Path Notes
Upon program completion, students may take a national certification in medical assisting such as the Certified Medical Assistant, CMA (AAMA); the Registered Medical Assistant, RMA (AMT); or the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant, CCMA (NHA). They can also take the certification exam for Phlebotomy Technician, CPT (NHA).
Courses from this program may transfer into Palm Beach State's Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Supervision and Management. For more information, visit: www.pbsc.edu/bachelors/
In addition, coursed from this program may transfer to other colleges and universities that allow students to transfer into a four-year program. For more information, contact the college or university to which you wish to transfer.
Career Center
www.pbsc.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:
General Education (Credits: 26)
| BSC2085 | Anatomy and Physiology 1 (AA) | 3 Credits |
| BSC2085L | Anatomy and Physiology 1 Lab (AA) | 1 Credit |
| BSC2086 | Anatomy and Physiology 2 (AA) | 3 Credits |
| BSC2086L | Anatomy and Physiology 2 Lab (AA) | 1 Credit |
| ENC1101 | College Composition 1 (AA) | 3 Credits |
| Any course from Mathematics - Area III | 3 credits |
| Any course from Humanities - Area II | 3 credits |
| PSY2012 | Introduction to Psychology (AA) | 3 Credits |
| SPC1017 | Fundamentals of Speech Communication (AA) | 3 Credits |
| HSC2531 | Medical Terminology (AA) | 3 Credits |
Required Courses (Credits: 39)
| CGS1100 | Microcomputer Applications (AA) | 3 Credits |
| MEA1007 | Introduction to Medical Assisting (AS) | 3 Credits |
| MEA1021C | Diseases, Disorders and Treatments 1 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| MEA1250C | Diseases, Disorders and Treatments 2 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| MEA1304 | Introduction to Medical Office Procedures (AS) | 3 Credits |
| MEA1355 | Physician Reimbursement and Revenue (AS) | 3 Credits |
| MEA2090 | Leadership for the Medical Assistants (AS) | 3 Credits |
| MEA2246C | Pharmacology for Medical Assistants (AS) | 3 Credits |
| MEA2248C | Basic Lab and Phlebotomy (AS) | 3 Credits |
| MEA2252C | Diagnostic Procedures (AS) | 3 Credits |
| MEA2305 | Advanced Medical Office Procedures (AS) | 3 Credits |
| MEA2803C | Externship for Medical Assisting (AS) | 3 Credits |
| MEA2939 | Seminar in Medical Assisting (AS) | 3 Credits |
Total Credit Hours: 65
Course Sequence
Term One - Fall (Year One) (Credits: 16)
| BSC2085 | Anatomy and Physiology 1 (AA) | 3 Credits |
| BSC2085L | Anatomy and Physiology 1 Lab (AA) | 1 Credit |
| ENC1101 | College Composition 1 (AA) | 3 Credits |
| HSC2531 | Medical Terminology (AA) | 3 Credits |
| MEA1007 | Introduction to Medical Assisting (AS) | 3 Credits |
| CGS1100 | Microcomputer Applications (AA) | 3 Credits |
Term Two - Spring (Year One) (Credits: 16)
| BSC2086 | Anatomy and Physiology 2 (AA) | 3 Credits |
| BSC2086L | Anatomy and Physiology 2 Lab (AA) | 1 Credit |
| MEA1021C | Diseases, Disorders and Treatments 1 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| MEA1304 | Introduction to Medical Office Procedures (AS) | 3 Credits |
| MEA2248C | Basic Lab and Phlebotomy (AS) | 3 Credits |
| PSY2012 | Introduction to Psychology (AA) | 3 Credits |
Term Three - Fall (Year Two) (Credits: 18)
| Any course from Mathematics - Area III | 3 credits |
| MEA1250C | Diseases, Disorders and Treatments 2 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| MEA1355 | Physician Reimbursement and Revenue (AS) | 3 Credits |
| MEA2246C | Pharmacology for Medical Assistants (AS) | 3 Credits |
| MEA2252C | Diagnostic Procedures (AS) | 3 Credits |
| MEA2305 | Advanced Medical Office Procedures (AS) | 3 Credits |
Term Four - Spring (Year Two) (Credits: 15)
| Any course from Humanities - Area II | 3 credits |
| MEA2803C | Externship for Medical Assisting (AS) | 3 Credits |
| MEA2090 | Leadership for the Medical Assistants (AS) | 3 Credits |
| MEA2939 | Seminar in Medical Assisting (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SPC1017 | Fundamentals of Speech Communication (AA) | 3 Credits |
Total Credit Hours: 65