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Associate of Applied Science Degree

Medical Assisting

 

program requirements	certification credential
admission requirements	core performance standards
accreditation	consumer information

 

The Medical Assistant is an allied health professional who functions as part of the health care delivery team performing administrative and clinical procedures.  The Medical Assistant program is established on the Standards and Guidelines of an Accredited Educational Program for the Medical Assistant as identified by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

The competency based curriculum covers administrative, clinical and transdisciplinary skills.  These skills are then evaluated through performance on written and practical exams, skill performance assessments, and clinical practicum. 

Graduates from the Medical Assistant Program are multi-skilled health professionals who perform effectively in the fast paced, rapidly changing health care system.  The Medical Assistant is qualified to perform administrative and clinical tasks, manage emergency situations, facilities, and personnel.  Medical Assistants must communicate effectively, provide instruction to patients and are integral members of the health care team. 

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 physical exam/health verification, to include tuberculin skin testing, before being admitted to MD201 (Medical Assisting I), a laboratory course that introduces students to the theory and application of clinical procedures.  Hepatitis B vaccine and/or immunization verification is recommended, also before admission to MD201.  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 disease. 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 practicum placement (possibly increasing the overall length of the program) and future employment options:
3. Negative TB test
4. Hepatitis B vaccination or waiver
5. Health release to participate in clinical practicums/physician’s certification that student is in good health.
6. Other immunizations, such as MMR.
7. CPR and first aid training.

All Medical Assisting students are required to complete a 180-hour unpaid, supervised practicum 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. As noted above, prior to enrollment in MD201 (Medical Assisting I) students will be required to undergo 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. Students are also responsible for covering any additional costs associated with physical examinations, hepatitis B immunizations, and CPR/First Aid Certification.

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Program Admission Requirements
Below are Admission Requirements for the AAS Degree in Medical Assisting:

• Complete the general admission procedures outlined in the South College-Asheville catalog and call and set up an appointment with an admission representative at (828) 398-2500. General admission includes the completion of the application to the college and all required forms, payment of an application fee, and completion of a personal interview with an admission representative.

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Accreditation
The South College-Asheville Associate Degree of  Applied Science in Medical Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org,, 1361 Park Street, Clearwater, FL 33756, Phone: 727-210-2350) upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB).

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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.

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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 Department Chair will determine, on an individual basis, if 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.

 

Issue	Standard	Some Examples of Necessary Activities (not all inclusive)
Critical Thinking	Critical thinking ability sufficient for clinical judgment.	Identify cause-effect relationships in clinical situations, recognizing emergency situations.
Interpersonal	Interpersonal communication skills sufficient to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and educational backgrounds.	Establish rapport with patients, clients, and colleagues.
Communication	Knowledge of the English language sufficient to comprehend and communicate orally and in writing.	Explain treatment procedures, initiate health teaching, interpret and document completion of medical orders, and respond to patient/client concerns.
Mobility	Physical abilities sufficient to move from room to room, to maneuver in small spaces, and to stand, lift, and walk.	Move around in patients’ rooms, work spaces, and treatment areas, administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Motor Skills	Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective care.	Calibrate and use equipment; position patients/clients.
Hearing	Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs.	Hear monitor alarms, emergency signals, auscultatory sounds, and cries for help.
Tactile	Tactile ability sufficient for performing physical assessment and procedures.	Perform palpation, functions of physical examination, and/or therapeutic intervention.
Visual	Visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary for patient care.	Observe patient/client responses; identify differences in shades of color to evaluate lab test results.

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Consumer Information

Cost of Program
Tuition & Fees			$40,000
Books & Supplies			$3,320
On-Time Graduation Rate			75%
Reasons for students not completing on-time (i.e. 2 years for Associate degree programs, 4 years for Baccalaureate degree programs): Withdrawal for a period of time before returning to complete program, Academic performance resulting in repeat of one or more classes, Changing of majors (beginning in Associate program and changing to Baccalaureate program), and/or Part-time course load for one or more quarters.
An institution calculates an on‐time graduation rate for each program by: * Determining the number of students who completed the program during the most recently completed award year, * From the total students identified in step one, determining the number of students that completed the program within normal time, regardless of whether the student transferred into the program or changed programs at the institution, and * Dividing the number of students who completed the program within normal time, as determined in step two, by the total number of students who completed the program, as determined in step one, and multiplying the result by 100.
Placement Rate - July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2010
Number of Graduates	Number placed in Field or Related Field	Number Continuing Education	Placement Percentage
4	4	0	100%
Median Loan Debt - Year Ended June 30th, 2011
Federal Education Loans			$26,466
Institutional Loans			$0
Private Education Loans			$0
Employment
31-9092.00 - Medical Assistants
29-2071.00 - Medical Records and Health Information Technicians

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