Medical Assistant

6-9 Months - 900 clock hours

The program is designed to provide students with extensive and comprehensive training in body structure and the functions of the various body systems. Students will develop a working knowledge of specimen collection and various laboratory procedures to include infection control, EKG, injections, and sterilization. Students will also learn proper techniques in assisting in minor surgical procedures and preparation of patients for diagnostic tests.

The Program prepares students to be multi-skilled allied health professionals specifically cross-trained in different areas of patient care, which include clinical, laboratory, administrative and basic radiology procedures. As a medical assistant, you perform a wide range of duties—for instance medical and surgical asepsis, taking vital signs, assisting physicians with examinations and surgery, drawing blood, administering ECGs and administering medications. Administrative duties include patient reception, appointment scheduling, recordkeeping, filing, coding, insurance handling, typing medical correspondence and computer applications. Laboratory functions include specimen collection, performance of basic laboratory tests, and basic procedures.

Upon successful completion of the Medical Assistant program at Care Hope College, graduates will obtain professional competency in the skills performed in the medical office, to include:

• Demonstrate proficiency in administrative duties, including patient recaptioning and appointment scheduling
• Understand and maintain medical recordkeeping, filing, and encoding
• Facilitate insurance handling
• Learn appropriate medical correspondence and computer applications
• Learn through background training and exposure to clinical, laboratory, and administrative responsibilities.
• Identify basic radiology procedures.
• Discuss laboratory functions to include specimen collection
• Explain the differences between basic laboratory tests
• Discuss basic clinical procedures with the patients in the reception area.
• Discuss the medical assistant's role in the operation of a medical office
• Exemplify Christian values in both academic and professional settings, demonstrating integrity, compassion, and ethical behavior