Associate of Applied Science
MEDICAL ASSISTING

Medical Assisting is an allied health profession whose practitioners function as members of the health care delivery team and perform administrative and clinical procedures. The Medical Assisting program is established upon the Standards and Guidelines for an Accredited Educational Program for the Medical Assistant as identified by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) which emphasizes a competency-based education in administrative, clinical, and transdisciplinary skills. Student competencies are validated through performance on written and practical exams, skills performance assessments, and a clinical internship. Graduates of the program will be prepared to assist physicians in examining and treating patients, performing laboratory testing, and managing the administrative and clinical responsibilities associated with efficient physician office operations.

Program Requirements

All students enrolled in the Medical Assisting program at South College- Asheville must recognize that various occupational hazards exist in the medical laboratory and the clinical setting. All Medical Assisting students are responsible for understanding the health requirements and the general safety procedures and precautions. Throughout the training, strict adherence to OSHA guidelines and standard precautions is mandated and observed. In compliance with these guidelines and precautions, all medical assisting students are required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment as indicated.

Even when admission to the Medical Assisting program has been granted, a student will be required to undergo a physical exam/health verification, to include tuberculin skin testing when admitted to the program. Hepatitis B vaccine and/or immunization verification is recommended. Students will be required, during the course of the program, to demonstrate their physical and/or emotional fitness to meet the essential requirements of the program. Such essential requirements include a state of good health, the ability to perform certain tasks, and suitable emotional fitness. Any appraisal measures used to determine such physical and/or emotional fitness will be in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the American with Disabilities Act of 1990. A student should notify the Department Chairperson if he or she has any communicable diseases. This disclosure will be handled in strict confidence and used to assure safe lab conditions.

Students applying to the Medical Assisting program must accept the following:

1. Eligibility for the Certification Examination may be denied by the AAMA Certifying Board if the applicant for the CMA credential has been found guilty of a felony or pleaded guilty to a felony.
2. Failure to produce proof of the following may severely limit internship placement (possibly increasing the overall length of the program) and future employment options:
    
• Negative TB test
• Hepatitis B vaccination or waiver
• Health release to participate in clinical internships/physician's certification that student is in good health
• Other immunizations, such as MMR
• CPR and first aid training

All Medical Assisting students are required to complete a 200-hour unpaid, supervised internship at a local medical practice during the last quarter of their program. Students will be required to meet all health guidelines and dress code policies of the affiliating agencies. Prior to the beginning of MD199 Medical Assisting Internship, students will be required to undergo a physical exam/health verification and to be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid. Students are responsible for costs incurred from injury or illness while in the Medical Assisting program. Additional lab fees may be charged to cover costs associated with physical exams, hepatitis B immunizations and CPR/First Aid Certification.

Accreditation
The Medical Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org), 1361 Park Street, Clearwater, FL 33756 (727) 210-2350, upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board.

Certification Credential
Although there is no state licensure for medical assistants, as a graduate of a CAAHEP accredited program, students will be qualified to take the AAMA (American Association of Medical Assistants) Certification Exam, which is given three times yearly. The CMA (Certified Medical Assistant) credential is awarded to qualified individuals who have passed the AAMA (American Association of Medical Assistants) Certification Exam. While the certification exam is strictly voluntary, graduates who successfully complete the exam are demonstrating the mark of a professional and the ability to competently perform clinical and administrative duties in a medical office. The distinction of being a Certified Medical Assistant is a credential more and more physician-employers are seeking and requiring.

Medical Assisting Program
Core Performance Standards for Admission and Progression

The South College-Asheville Medical Assisting program has adopted the following performance standards. Admission to and progression in the program are not based on these standards; rather they will be used to assist each student in determining whether accommodations or modifications are necessary.

If a student believes that he or she cannot meet one or more of the standards without accommodations or modifications, the Medical Assisting program will determine, on an individual basis, whether or not the necessary accommodations or modifications can be reasonably made. In no instance will an accommodation be made that will put other students or patients at increased risk.

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