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, or Spring 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 121Z, BI 120 or BI 121, MP 111 and MP 140.
- 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.
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Once formally admitted, students are strongly encouraged to meet with a Medical Assisting Program advisor.
Program Requirements
Academic Requirements
Students must receive a “C” or better in all programs required courses.
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.
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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 47 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.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BI 120 | Survey 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 112 | Medical Office Assistant Seminar I | 2 |
| MA 114 | Introduction to Clinical Procedures | 2 |
| MA 117 | Medical Office Administrative Procedures § | 4 |
| MA 118 | Medical Office Administrative Procedures (Lab) | 2 |
| MA 120 | Introduction to Clinical Phlebotomy | 1 |
| MA 122 | Medical Office Assistant Seminar II | 2 |
| MA 123 | Medical Office Clinical Procedures § | 4 |
| MA 124 | Medical Office Clinical Procedures (Lab) § | 2 |
| MA 130 | Clinical Phlebotomy II | 1 |
| MA 131 | Introduction to Medical Science | 3 |
| MA 132 | Medical Office Assistant Seminar III | 2 |
| MA 270 | Clinical Practicum | 6 |
| MP 111 | Medical Terminology | 4 |
| MP 113 | Healthcare Provider CPR/AED, First Aid, Bloodborne Pathogens | 1 |
| MP 135 | Pharmacology for Allied Health | 3 |
| MP 140 | Introduction to Health Law and Ethics | 3 |
| Total Credits | 47 | |
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Course contains Related Instruction and cannot be substituted with another course; Related Instruction details can be viewed here.
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. 2 Credits.
Provides the opportunity to learn, apply and demonstrate competence in basic medical assisting clinical procedures required by accreditation. Prerequisites: 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. Covers administrative functions of a medical office, including: appointment scheduling, telephone techniques, financial record keeping, accounts receivable/payable, medical insurance, billing & coding, 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 270. Clinical Practicum. 6 Credits.
Includes the practice of administrative and clinical skills in a medical clinic/physician office setting. Prerequisite: Department permission required.