Medical Assisting, A.A.S.

A45400

Total credit hours: 67

The Medical Assisting curriculum prepares multi-skilled health care professionals qualified to perform administrative, clinical, and laboratory procedures. The goal of the Medical Assisting program is “To prepare medical assistants who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession.” (From the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs 2022 Standards and Guidelines for the Accreditation of Educational Programs in Medical Assisting, Std II.)

Course work includes instruction in scheduling appointments, coding and processing insurance accounts, billing, collections, computer operations; assisting with examinations/treatments, performing routine laboratory procedures, electrocardiography, supervised medication administration; and ethical/legal issues associated with patient care.

Graduates of CAAHEP accredited medical assisting programs may be eligible to sit for the American Association of Medical Assistants Certification Examination to become Certified Medical Assistants. Employment opportunities include physicians’ offices, health maintenance organizations and health departments.

Program Faculty: Amber Griffey (Program Director), Brooke Williams, Clair Wylie

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, the student should be able to:

1. Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills with consumers and coworkers in the role of medical assistant.
2. Solve problems related to administrative, clinical, and laboratory procedures.
3. Utilize policies and manuals related to administrative, clinical, and laboratory procedures.
4. Perform mathematical calculations related to generating laboratory results and preparing and administering medications.
5. Use current technologies in the implementation of administrative, clinical, and laboratory procedures.
6. Demonstrate the academic knowledge and technical skills necessary for entry-level medical assisting practice.
7. Display professionalism by projecting a positive attitude, working as a team member, showing initiative and responsibility, and displaying sensitivity to cultural diversity.
8. Practice in a legal and ethical manner.

Program Requirements

Accreditation

The Davidson-Davie Community College Diploma Medical Assisting Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (opens in new window), upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB) (opens in new window). The address for the commission is:

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, 9355 - 113th St. N, #7709, Seminole, FL 33775, P:727-210-2350, F:727-210-2354, E: mail@caahep.org

• The medical assisting program at Davidson-Davie Community College has a retention rate of 60% for the admission cohort of 2019.
• The medical assisting program at Davidson-Davie Community College has a job placement rate of 86% for the graduate year of 2019.
• The medical assisting program at Davidson-Davie Community College has an exam passage rate of 86% for the 2019 graduates.

Admission Requirements

Students must demonstrate English and mathematics “college readiness” levels, via college-level English/math courses or by completion of or waiver credit for specified “transition” or co-requisite courses. In addition, students who pursue the AAS must complete the Diploma prior to starting AAS-specific courses.

Clinical Clearance Requirements

A criminal background check, drug screen, and up-to-date immunizations are required by the clinical site prior to participation in the clinical component. If any clinical facility denies a student’s participation in clinical experiences in that clinical agency, the student will not be able to progress in the program.

Progression Requirements

A student must earn a grade of “C” or better in all MED, BIO, ENG, and COM prefix courses in order to progress in the program.

Technical Standards

In addition to Davidson-Davie requirements and course objectives, there are professional standards that encompass communication, motor skills, sensory and cognitive ability and professional conduct that are essential for the competent study and practice of this profession.  Medical Assisting Technical Standards (PDF opens in new window)  

Transfer Options

Students wishing to transfer courses into the Medical Assisting program must submit official transcripts to the records office. The decision regarding transfer credit for MED courses is made by the Program Director and the appropriate academic administrator, in consultation with members of the Medical Assisting faculty. Syllabi for courses for which credit is requested may be required. Transfer credit must be evaluated by the program director and is not guaranteed.

Curriculum Guide

*Note: Once students start MED-110, they MUST stay continuously enrolled in MED prefix courses.  Students who drop MED prefix courses may be removed from the program.