Medical Assisting, Diploma

D45400  

Total credit hours: 43

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, Meagan Ferrell

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 cumulative 5-yr (2018-2022) percentage exam passage rate of 89% from data posted on the 2023 Annual Report. 

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 must complete the Allied Health Orientation in order to be eligible to enroll in program-specific courses.  Students who pursue the AAS must complete the Diploma prior to starting AAS-specific courses.

The trigger course (MED 110-Orientation to Medical Assisting) is the first course in the Davidson-Davie Medical Assisting program curriculum in which the student is taught and achievement measured on any psychomotor and/or affective competencies within the MAERB core curriculum.

The admission cohort consists of the group of students who have successfully completed the trigger course. This information will provide verification for the admission cohort.
(Excerpt from MAERB Outcome Thresholds Chart)

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 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)  

Occupational Risks

Medical Assisting is a profession with many rewards, as practitioners can perform both administrative and clinical services, filling several roles in a variety of healthcare environments. The Bureau of Labor Statistics clearly outlines that it is a growth field, with an anticipated 18% growth from 2020 to 2030. Medical Assistants work directly with providers and patients, with the goal of providing healthcare and ensuring patient safety. It is a position with a great deal of responsibility.

As with any healthcare position, there are certain occupational risks that come into play with being a medical assistant, and those hazards include the following:

• Exposure to infectious diseases
• Sharps injuries
• Bloodborne pathogens and biological hazards
• Chemical and drug exposure
• Ergonomic hazards from lifting, sitting, and repetitive tasks
• Latex allergies
• Stress

At the same time, there are protections set up with the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), and those protections are particularly important within a healthcare environment. OSHA has a series of standards that protect the safety of healthcare workers and patients. Accredited medical assisting programs are required to teach students about the hazards that they face on the job and the protocols that can be put into place to ensure a workplace culture that prioritizes safety.

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 a student begins MED-110, they must stay continuously enrolled in MED-prefix courses.  Students who drop MED prefix courses may be removed from the program.