Medical Assistant

About

The STCC Medical Assistant program offers a one-plus-one program option. All students who are accepted into the Medical Assisting department will enter the Certificate option for the first year. This certificate offers on-campus classroom lectures, laboratory and simulation experiences. The curriculum is designed to teach students to assist in and perform administrative and clinical procedures in varied health care agencies.  Students will be required to participate in all scheduled laboratory sessions and assume the role of "patient" as well as that of Medical Assistant. In addition, Certificate students will be required to participate in 160 hours of a supervised and unpaid practicum.  The practicum for the Certificate option extends beyond the traditional academic calendar year and may deviate from the college hours. After successful completion of the Certificate requirements students will be eligible to enter the workforce, sit for the national certification exam offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants and/or transfer to the Associate degree program for one additional year. The Associate level provides the student with additional general education and program specific coursework and154 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. 

Professional Medical Assistants perform administrative duties such as word processing, recordkeeping, billing, electronic medical records and scheduling procedures. Clinical responsibilities include assisting the physician with patient care, performing electrocardiograms, assisting with physical examinations, performing phlebotomy, obtaining and processing specimens.  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.

Upon successful completion of requirements for this program, the degree of Associate in Science in Medical Assistant from STCC will be awarded.