Medical Assisting

pcc.edu/programs/medical-asst/

Career and Program Description

Those trained in the Medical Assisting Program will find occupations involved within various aspects of the healthcare team. Medical Assistants work in ambulatory care or out-patient clinics and perform a variety of clinical and administrative duties. Clinical responsibilities may include: assisting physicians and preparing patients for examinations; taking and recording vital signs and medical histories; performing venipuncture, spirometry, and electrocardiograms; and preparing, administering, and documenting medications; administering immunizations, collecting and processing specimens. Administrative responsibilities may include: scheduling and receiving patients; maintaining medical records; handling telephone calls; completing prior authorizations; utilizing current medical coding; and insurance and billing matters. 

The program curriculum is based on the Patient-Centered Model Home (PCMH). Students will understand the importance of a personal clinician to the health of individual patients and the population as a whole; recognize the importance of patient-centered interactions with healthcare outcomes; recognize the importance of continuous quality improvement, using evidence based results to develop best practices for patient care by way of measuring data using proper metrics; and understand the importance of information systems to the functionality of the patient centered medical home; and demonstrate appropriate leadership skills.

Students are prepared to function under the supervision of a licensed provider. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Educational Programs (CAAHEP) on recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation for Medical Assistants Education. Graduates are eligible to take the national credentialing exam given through the American Association of Medical Assistants. Individuals who have been found guilty of a felony or pleaded guilty to a felony may not be eligible to take the Certified Medical Assistants Examination (CMA-AAMA). However, the certifying board may grant a waiver based on mitigating circumstances. See the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) CMA Examination application for specifics.

Students may enter the program in Fall, Winter, Spring or Summer terms. Students must receive a “C” or better in all programs required courses. The program is designed to correlate classroom and laboratory experience with practical experience in health care facilities.

Degrees and Certificates Offered

One-Year Certificate

Medical Assisting

Admission Prerequisites

Academic Prerequisites

  • Completion with a grade of "C" or "P" better in the following:  WR 121ZBI 121 or BI 120 and MP 111.
  • This is a limited entry program. Complete a Medical Assisting program application including recommendation forms and transcripts from all colleges attended other than PCC.

Other Prerequisites

  • Students must demonstrate a working knowledge and/or background of basic computer skills including Windows, keyboarding, Internet, and e-mail. Students who are not able to demonstrate a working knowledge and/or background will be required to take a course(s) prior to admission
  • Once conditionally admitted, students must attend a program orientation.
  • Once formally admitted, students will be required to complete various state and program requirements such as a criminal background check, immunizations and drug screening. Contact the department office for more information.
  • Once formally admitted, students are strongly encouraged to meet with a Medical Assisting Program advisor.

Program Requirements

Academic Requirements

  • None

Non-Academic Prerequisites

  • Students must demonstrate a working knowledge and/or background of basic computer skills including Windows, keyboarding, Internet, and e-mail. Students who are not able to demonstrate a working knowledge and/or background will be required to take a course(s) prior to admission
  • Once conditionally admitted, students must attend a program orientation.
  • Once formally admitted, students will be required to complete various state and program requirements such as a criminal background check, immunizations and drug screening. Contact the department office for more information.
  • Once formally admitted, students are strongly encouraged to meet with a Medical Assisting Program advisor.

Non-Academic Requirements

  • Students must have transportation to clinical facilities throughout the Portland Metropolitan area and surrounding communities.

Medical Assisting One-Year Certificate

Minimum 52 credits. Students must meet all certificate requirements.

Course of Study

The coursework listed below is required. The following is an example of a term-by-term breakdown.

BI 120Survey of Body Systems 5
or BI 121
BI 122
Introduction to Human Anatomy & Physiology I
and Introduction to Human Anatomy & Physiology II
or BI 231
BI 232
BI 233
Human Anatomy & Physiology I
and Human Anatomy & Physiology II
and Human Anatomy & Physiology III
MA 112Medical Office Assistant Seminar I2
MA 114Introduction to Clinical Procedures 1
MA 117Medical Office Administrative Procedures §4
MA 118Medical Office Administrative Procedures (Lab)2
MA 120Introduction to Clinical Phlebotomy1
MA 122Medical Office Assistant Seminar II2
MA 123Medical Office Clinical Procedures §4
MA 124Medical Office Clinical Procedures (Lab) §2
MA 130Clinical Phlebotomy II1
MA 131Introduction to Medical Science3
MA 132Medical Office Assistant Seminar III2
MA 180Coding and Reimbursement2
MA 270Clinical Practicum6
MP 111Medical Terminology4
MP 113Healthcare Provider CPR/AED, First Aid/Bloodborne Pathogens1
MP 135Pharmacology for Allied Health3
MP 140Introduction to Health Law and Ethics3
Human Relations Electives §4
Total Credits52
§

Course contains Related Instruction and cannot be substituted with another course; Related Instruction details can be viewed here.

Medical Assisting Related Instruction Human Relations Electives

CG 191Exploring Identity and Diversity for College Success4
PSY 101Psychology and Human Relations4
PSY 201AIntroduction to Psychology - Part 14
PSY 202AIntroduction to Psychology - Part 24
PSY 214Introduction to Personality4
PSY 215Human Development4
PSY 216Social Psychology4
PSY 222Family & Intimate Relationships4
PSY 231Foundations of Human Sexuality4
PSY 232Human Sexuality in Social Context4
PSY 236Psychology of Adult Development and Aging4
PSY 239Introduction to Abnormal Psychology4
PSY 240Personal Awareness and Growth4
SOC 204Introduction to Sociology4
SOC 206Social Problems4
SOC 213Diversity in the United States4
SOC 218Sociology of Gender4
SOC 232Death and Dying: Culture and Issues4
WS 101Women's Studies4

MA 112. Medical Office Assistant Seminar I. 2 Credits.

Covers professional behavior as it relates to the healthcare system and patient experience at an introductory level. Introduces professional organizations that support continuing education of healthcare professionals and preparation for the third-term clinical practicum.

MA 114. Introduction to Clinical Procedures. 1 Credit.

Provides the opportunity to learn, practice and demonstrate competence in basic medical assisting clinical procedures required by accreditation. Prerequisite: Admission into the Medical Assisting program.

MA 117. Medical Office Administrative Procedures. 4 Credits.

Introduces principles of the Patient-Centered Medical Home model, including: social determinants of health, population management, data metrics, and continuous quality improvement. Includes administrative functions of a medical office. Covers appointment scheduling, telephone techniques, financial record keeping, accounts receivable and payable, medical insurance, office care and management, and medical records management. Corequisite: MA 118.

MA 118. Medical Office Administrative Procedures (Lab). 2 Credits.

Provides an opportunity to practice and demonstrate competency in administrative office procedures. Corequisite: MA 117.

MA 120. Introduction to Clinical Phlebotomy. 1 Credit.

Introduces basic venipuncture and skin puncture techniques as well as proper specimen-handling procedures as dictated by the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI). Covers the preparation and training to function as an internal member in the ambulatory clinical lab care setting. Prerequisite: Department permission required.

MA 122. Medical Office Assistant Seminar II. 2 Credits.

Covers professional behavior as it relates to the healthcare system and patient experience at an intermediate level. Introduces professional organizations that support continuing education of healthcare professionals and preparation for the third-term clinical practicum.

MA 123. Medical Office Clinical Procedures. 4 Credits.

Introduces principles and applications of Patient Centered Medical Home model. Covers provider-patient relationships, and professional communication and behavior. Includes patient preparation and care, managing diagnostic testing, and immunization training and forecasting. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Medical Assisting Program. Corequisite: MA 124.

MA 124. Medical Office Clinical Procedures (Lab). 2 Credits.

Provides an opportunity to practice and demonstrate competency in procedures covered in MA 123. Corequisite: MA 123.

MA 130. Clinical Phlebotomy II. 1 Credit.

Continues to expand knowledge on venipuncture puncture techniques as well as proper specimen-handling procedures as dictated by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Covers the preparation and training to function as an internal member of the ambulatory clinical lab care setting. Prerequisite: Department permission required.

MA 131. Introduction to Medical Science. 3 Credits.

Covers concepts of disease processes as they relate to the normal physiology of the major body systems. Prerequisites: Admission to the Medical Assistant program.

MA 132. Medical Office Assistant Seminar III. 2 Credits.

Provides an overview of the three content categories of the medical assisting credentialing exam. Reviews clinical, administrative, and general knowledge required for taking a medical assisting credentialing exam.

MA 180. Coding and Reimbursement. 2 Credits.

Introduces coding and reimbursement systems for physician offices and medical clinics.

MA 270. Clinical Practicum. 6 Credits.

Includes the practice of administrative and clinical skills in a medical clinic/physician office setting. Prerequisite: Department permission required.