STC E-Catalog
- General Information
- Admissions
- Registration
- Financial Aid
- Student Affairs
- Academic Regulations
- Course Information
- Code of Conduct
- Campus Security
- Staff
- Economic Development Center
Programs
Archives
Medical Assisting Diploma Program
Medical assistants are multiskilled allied health professionals dedicated to assisting with patient care management, in an ambulatory care setting, such as physician's offices and clinics of all sizes, and other outpatient facilities.
This practitioner performs administrative and clinical duties under the supervision of a licensed physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling and receiving patients, obtaining patient data, purchasing and maintaining supplies and equipment, handling insurance matters, office accounts, fees and collections. Clinical duties may include assisting with examinations and treatments, taking medical histories, performing certain diagnostic tests, maintaining instruments and equipment, preparing, administering and documenting medications, collecting and processing specimens.
The Medical Assisting program provides learning opportunities that introduce, develop, and reinforce academic and occupational knowledge, skills and attitudes required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. Additionally, the program provides opportunities to upgrade present knowledge and skills or to retrain in the area of medical assisting. Graduates of the program receive a Medical Assisting diploma.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Graduates are prepared for positions as medical assistants, medical office assistants, medical secretaries, medical receptionists, medical records clerks, and other related health care professionals.
LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION
The graduates of the program are eligible to take the Certified Medical Assistant Examination. (Felons are not eligible to sit for the CMA exam unless the Certifying Board grants a waiver based on certain mitigating circumstances.)
ADMISSIONS CRITERIA
- Submit a completed application and application fee;
- Be at least 17 years of age;
- Submit official high school transcript or GED transcript;
- Submit official college transcripts, if applicable;
- Meet the following assessment requirements:
Test Reading Writing Numerical Algebra ASSET 38 35 35 COMPASS 70 23 26 SAT 430 400 ACT 18 16 CPE 75 75 75
MEDICAL ASSISTING CURRICULUM
The standard curriculum for the Medical Assisting program is designed for the quarter system. A student may enter the program in the Fall and Spring quarters on the Vidalia campus, and Winter and Summer quarters on the Glennville campus, once all core classes are completed (including BUS 101). To graduate, diploma-seeking students must earn a minimum of 83 quarter credit hours. The program generally takes 5 quarters to complete.
| CURRICULUM OUTLINE | CREDITS | |
|---|---|---|
| GENERAL CORE COURSES | 15 | |
| ENG 101* | English (OL) | 5 |
| MAT 1012* | Foundations of Mathematics*** (OL) | 5 |
| PSY 101* | Basic Psychology(OL) | 5 |
| OCCUPATIONAL COURSES | 65 | |
| AHS 101* | Anatomy and Physiology (OL) | 5 |
| AHS 104* | Introduction to Health Care | 3 |
| AHS 109* | Medical Terminology (OL) | 3 |
| BUS 101* | Beginning Document Processing **** (OL) | 5 |
| MAS 101* | Legal Aspects of the Medical Office | 3 |
| MAS 103* | Pharmacology | 5 |
| MAS 106* | Medical Office Procedures | 5 |
| MAS 108* | Medical Assisting Skills I | 6 |
| MAS 109* | Medical Assisting Skills II | 6 |
| MAS 110* | Medical Insurance Management (OL) | 3 |
| MAS 111* | Administrative Practice Program | 4 |
| MAS 112* | Human Diseases (OL) | 5 |
| MAS 117(**) | Medical Assisting Externship | 8 |
| MAS 118* | Medical Assisting Seminar | 4 |
| FUNDAMENTAL OCCUPATIONAL COURSES | 3 | |
| SCT 100* | Introduction to Microcomputers (OL) | 3 |
* "C" or higher is required for designated courses.
**Students with two quarters or greater lapse between critical program courses must pass a comprehensive written exam with a grade of 75 or better and pass a clinical skills check-off. Critical program courses are: MAS 103, MAS 108, MAS 109, MAS 110, and MAS 111.
(**)Students with one quarter or greater lapse before enrolling in MAS 117, Medical Assisting Externship, must pass a comprehensive written exam with a grade of 75 or better and pass a clinical skills check-off.
(***) MAT 1012, Foundations of Mathematics, is a requirement for this program. MAT 1012 contains competencies essential for this program, therefore, MAT 1013, Algebraic Concepts, cannot be accepted for MAT 1012.
**** BUS 101- a time writing is required for this class and if speed is not met an additional class (BUS 100) will be required.
(OL) designation indicates course is available online in selected quarters.
PROGRAM COSTS
(Costs are estimates and are subject to change.)
Tuition/Fees: $3,078
Books/Supplies: $1,300
Uniform Costs: Approximately $250*
Liability Insurance: $12 per year
Certification Exam: $95
Physical Exam: $150
TB Test: $20
Hepatitis B Series: Approximately $264
#4402 Forensic Drug Panel (7) or similar screening: $25
Criminal Background Check: $10
* Uniforms are required beginning 3rd quarter.
SPECIAL PROGRAM FEATURES
The Medical Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org), upon the recommendation of the Curriculum Review Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants Endowment (AAMAE).
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
1361 Park Street
Clearwater, FL 33756
(727) 210-2350
CLINICAL EDUCATION
Number of Clinical Sites: 20
General Location of the Clinical Sites:
Tattnall, Toombs, Montgomery, Appling, Jeff Davis, Evans, and Wheeler counties.
Special Requirements of the Clinical Sites:
- CPR Certification; First Aid Training;
- Beginning third quarter students must submit a medical exam stating that the student is in good health. This must include documentation of TB skin testing, all required immunizations, including Hepatitis B. Students who refuse the Hepatitis B vaccination series must sign a declination form and be aware that clinical sites may refuse to accept them. Forms will be provided by the instructor;
- Criminal Background Check
- Urine Drug Screen
Clinical Education Courses
The Medical Assisting Externship provides students with an opportunity for in-depth application and reinforcement of principles and techniques in a medical office job setting. The clinical practicum allows the student to become involved in a work situation at a professional level of technical application, and requires concentration, practice, and follow through.
The Externship requires that the student spend a minimum of 24 hours a week in a supervised work setting, for a total of 240 hours. Students may not receive pay from the clinical site for externship hours. If the student misses more than 24 hours, they will automatically be dropped from the course. Students are evaluated by the clinical site preceptor and the externship coordinator.
Clinical Assignments
Clinical times may range 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8:00 a.m.-12 noon on Saturdays. However, some clinicals may be scheduled to include shift work. Clinical sites are selected by the program coordinator. Students are responsible for having reliable transportation to the site.