Medical Assistant, CAS

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Medical Assistants are the only allied health professionals specifically trained to work in ambulatory settings such as physicians’ offices, clinics, and group practices. These multiskilled personnel can perform administrative and clinical procedures. Physicians value this unique versatility and view medical assistants as vital partners in the medical office. Upon completion of this program, students will be able to

Perform computer-based tasks such as scheduling appointments, updating patient demographics, correspondence, coding, billing and insurance;
Receive patients and arrange for hospital admissions, laboratory services, and referrals;
Communicate professionally when working with patients and staff in a medical office;
Record patient medical histories and vital signs, prepare patients for examinations, assist with surgical treatments, collect and prepare laboratory specimens, perform basic laboratory tests, and electrocardiograms;
Prepare, administer, and document medications and vaccines using safe practices as authorized by a licensed physician;
Triage in the office through messaging or telephone calls;
Perform safe blood draws and specimen collection using correct techniques;
Remove sutures and change dressings;
Apply medical and surgical aseptic techniques; and
Provide patient education and health coaching.

Required Prerequisite

AHMS 107 - Career Essentials for Health Sciences Credit(s): 0

Required Courses

Fall Semester

AHMA 201 - Medical Assisting Clinical Procedures I Credit(s): 4 *
AHMA 202 - Medical Assisting Clinical Procedures I Lab Credit(s): 1
AHMA 205 - Medical Assisting Clinical Approaches I Credit(s): 1 *
AHMS 144 - Medical Terminology Credit(s): 3
AHMS 220 - Medical Office Procedures Credit(s): 4 *
BIOH 104NL - Basic Human Biology with Lab Credit(s): 4 *

First Semester Total: 17

Spring Semester

AHMA 203 - Medical Assisting Clinical Procedures II Credit(s): 4 *
AHMA 204 - Medical Assisting Clinical Procedures II Lab Credit(s): 1 *
AHMA 206 - Medical Assisting Clinical Approaches II Credit(s): 1 *
AHMA 230 - Advanced Medical Office Procedures Credit(s): 4 *
BMGT 205C - Professional Business Communication Credit(s): 3 * ^R
M 120 - Mathematics with Health Care Applications Credit(s): 3 * ^R

Second Semester Total: 16

Summer Semester

AHMA 280 - Medical Assisting Exam Preparation Credit(s): 1
AHMA 298 - Medical Assisting Externship Credit(s): 5 *

Third Semester Total: 6

Total Credits: 39

^R Indicates Related Instruction requirement.

*Indicates prerequisite and/or corequisite needed. Check course description.

Recommended Courses:

Students receiving financial aid or veteran’s benefits should check with the Financial Aid Office before registering for recommended courses.

AHMA 220 - Phlebotomy Credit(s): 3 *
AHMA 221 - Phlebotomy Clinical Training Credit(s): 2 *
AHMA 250 - Electronic Medical Procedures Credit(s): 3
AHMS 175 - Medical Law and Ethics Credit(s): 3
BIOH 113 - Human Form and Function II Credit(s): 4 *

Program Information

The Medical Assistant program demands high academic and personal standards. Students considering this certificate should familiarize themselves with the requirements.
All requirements for the Medical Assistant program are stated in the Medical Assistant Handbook located on the FVCC website.
All AHMA courses in the program must have program director’s signature for admission and must be taken consecutively starting fall semester.
Students are required to earn a “C” (2.0) or above in all non-medical assisting courses.
Students are required to earn a “B-” (2.7) or above in all medical assisting courses.
Students are responsible for at least $300 of additional costs to cover uniforms, personal medical supplies, immunizations and criminal background check. Required current immunization costs will depend on each individual vaccine history.
AHMA 298 Medical Assisting Externship class involves 180 hours of unpaid work experience in various medical offices in the community. It is highly recommended that students have their own health insurance before starting the externship.
All students are required to have a criminal background/registered sexual offender check done at the time of application to the program. Any discrepancies may result in denial of acceptance into the program. Any changes in a conviction record and/or pending criminal charges, which occur between the initial completion of the Background Information/Screen and program completion, must be provided in writing to the program director within five working days from the date of notification. Failure to provide such information within the aforementioned timeframe can result in immediate dismissal from the program.
Any student who exhibits unsuitable performance and/or behavior may be denied the right to complete the program.
American Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement: Students with recognized disabilities or other physical limitations that may affect their performance as a medical assistant are responsible for identifying themselves as soon as possible to Disability Services and to the program director. Course standards will not be lowered, but various accommodations are available. A minimum of six weeks will be required to develop and provide appropriate accommodations, so students who qualify should contact Disability Services as soon as possible. It is the college’s goal to assist students in their individual educational plans.

Admission Guidelines

Contact the program director for advising.
Applications for formal acceptance into the Medical Assistant CAS program are accepted once a year.
Applications are available here after March 1 and must be completed and returned by the last day of spring semester.
The Medical Assistant program has a maximum of 12 students in each graduating class.
Students wishing to enter the Medical Assistant program must be proficient in typing.
In order to be considered for acceptance into the Medical Assistant program, the student must have

Applied and been admitted to Flathead Valley Community College;
Earned a high school diploma or equivalency (GED or HiSET) and be 18 years of age by the first day of classes;
Met minimum placement requirements for math (score: 1) and writing (score: 2), or successful completion of developmental courses; and
Completed a comprehensive background check and proof of immunizations listed in the application packet.

Program Accreditation

The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) accredits Flathead Valley Community College upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB).

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
25400 US Highway 19 N., Suite 158
Clearwater, FL 33763, (727) 210-2350
www.caahep.org

Certifications

Medical Assistant graduates are eligible and prepared to take the CMA (AAMA) National Certification Examination administered by the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants.

Opportunities after Graduation

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 29 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations because of the increasing demand for medical assistants.
Certified Medical Assistants are in high demand due to the surge of technological advances in outpatient medical facilities and the growing number of aging Americans.
Certified Medical Assistants are able to obtain additional certifications including Electrocardiography Technician or Specialty Certified Medical Assisting.

Advising Information

For more information about this program, contact an advisor.

Faculty Advisor	Academic Advisor
Chris Degenhardt, CMA (AAMA)	Russ Lamson
BC 123B	LRC 147C
(406) 756-4582	(406) 756-3885
cdegenha@fvcc.edu	rlamson@fvcc.edu