The STCC Medical Assistant program offers a one-plus-one option. All students who are accepted into the Medical Assisting department will enter the Certificate option for the first year. After successful completion of the certificate requirements students will be eligible to enter the workforce and/or transfer to the Associate degree program for one additional year. The Associate level provides the student with 160 additional hours of supervised, unpaid clinical and administrative experiences. The additional affiliation time affords the students the opportunity to further expand and develop their entry-level competencies and apply theoretical knowledge. Students will be introduced to the responsibilities and duties of an office manager. In addition, students will be given the opportunity to explore ambulatory health care specialties such as pediatrics, gastroenterology, obstetrics and gynecology. This will assist students to formulate career preferences and prepare for management positions in ambulatory health care settings. Additional general education courses will prepare the student to transfer or continue their education.
The Medical Assistant program prepares competent entry-level medical assistants in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills) and affective (behavior) learning domains. 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, and requires a master of a complex body of knowledge and specialized skill requiring both formal education and practical experience that serve as standards for entry into the into the profession.
Springfield Technical Community College’s Medical Assistant Certificate program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB). Information can be obtained from Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, 1361 Park Street, Clearwater, FL 33756, (727) 210-2350.
The curriculum is designed to teach students to assist in administrative and clinical procedures in varied health care agencies. Medical Assistant courses are planned in conjunction with the clinical agencies, and may deviate from the college hours. Students will be required to participate in all scheduled laboratory sessions. All students will be required to assume the role of “patient” as well as that of the “medical assistant.” Students perform such duties as word processing; recordkeeping; billing; blood, urine and diagnostic tests; and specimen processing. In addition, students assist the physician in carrying out the techniques of patient care such as performing electrocardiograms, assisting with physical examinations, and performing phlebotomy. Graduates are qualified to accept positions in medical offices, clinics, health maintenance organizations, insurance companies, hospitals, ambulatory care centers, or any other area where their broad basic skills are needed.
Minimum Grade Requirements: To continue in the progression of courses offered in the Medical Assistant program, a student must obtain a grade of “C” (73%) or better in all courses. Students not meeting the minimum grade requirement of “C” (73%) will be withdrawn from the program.
Programmatic Technical Standard (PDF)
Upon successful completion of requirements for this program, the degree of Associate in Science in Medical Assistant from STCC will be awarded.
Tornado Warnings.
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