Medical Assistant, CAS

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to

• Function professionally in a legal and ethical manner as a medical assistant within the scope of practice permitted by state law;
• Effectively communicate with other health-care team members, patients, and physicians;
• Perform computer-based tasks such as scheduling appointments, updating patient demographics, correspondence, coding, billing, and insurance;
• Demonstrate proficiency with basic medical testing procedures;
• Display knowledge and use of techniques for asepsis, workplace safety, and risk management;
• Record patient medical histories and vital signs, prepare patients for examinations, assist with surgical treatments, collect and prepare laboratory specimens, and perform basic laboratory tests and electrocardiograms;
• Give patients injections or medications as directed by physicians and as permitted by state law;
• Provide patient education and health coaching; and
•  Take the national certification exam administered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) or the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) to earn the title of Certified Medical Assistant (CCMA or NCMA).

Recommended Prerequisite

It is recommended that students meet college level skills in math and English.

Required Courses

Total Credits: 33

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

^R Indicates Related Instruction requirement.

¹ Acceptable math substitutions include M 094~ , M 095~ , M 105 , M 115 , M 121 , and M 140 . 

² COMX 115  is an acceptable substitution and is offered online. 

Admission Guidelines

In order to be considered for acceptance into the FVCC Medical Assistant Program, the student must have

• Earned a high school diploma or equivalency (GED or HiSET); 
• Applied and been admitted to Flathead Valley Community College;
• Applied to the Medical Assistant program via the FVCC Medical Assistant Application. Applications are accepted all year.

In order to begin the program, students must have

• Turned 18 years of age by the first day of classes or obtained Program Director permission; and
• Completed a background check and provide documentation of required immunizations prior to enrolling in medical assisting courses or obtain Program Director approval.  

Program Information

• The FVCC Medical Assistant Program trains students to work within their scope of practice per state law, assist physicians while covering topics such as professionalism, types of communication, front office, vitals signs, health history, pharmacology, phlebotomy, point of care testing, medication use and administration, EKG, basic breathing tests, and more.
• Students are required to earn a “C” (74%) in all medical assistant courses. This includes being able to pass 100% of psychomotor and affective competencies required in laboratory/procedure courses. 
• Students are required to earn a “C-” (70%)  in all non- medical assistant courses.
• A course may be attempted a maximum of two times. 
• To be eligible for clinicals rotation, students must successfully complete all coursework, complete a thorough background check, and additional requirements listed in the FVCC Medical Assistant Student Handbook. 
• In order to be eligible to sit for the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) national examination, students must successfully complete 180 hours of clinical rotation. 
• More information about the Medical Assistant Program can be found in the FVCC Medical Assistant Student Handbook.

Program Accreditation

• The FVCC Medical Assistant Program is designed so that upon successful completion, students are eligible to sit for the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Clinical Certified Medical Assistant Certificate (CCMA) national exam.
• All NHA certificates are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCAA), a division of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE).

Certifications

• Medical Assistant graduates are eligible and prepared to take the Clinical Certified Medical Assistant Certificate (CCMA) exam administered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

Opportunities after Graduation

• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 14 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.

• About 114,600 openings for medical assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade. 

• Certified Medical Assistants are able to obtain additional certifications including Certified Phlebotomy Tech (CPT) and Certified EKG Technician (CET) through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

Advising Information:

For more information about this program, contact an advisor.