Medical Assistant, AAS (Moratorium)

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This program is in moratorium and is not accepting new students at this time.

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

Computer applications such as scheduling appointments, updating patient demographics, correspondence, coding, billing and insurance;
Patient reception, arranging for hospital admissions, laboratory services, and referrals;
Professional communication when working with patients and staff in a medical office;
Accurate 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;
Preparation, administration and documentation of medications and vaccines using safe practices, as directed by a licensed physician and authorizing prescription refills as directed;
Triage in the office by messaging or telephone calls;
Safe blood drawing using correct techniques;
Removal of sutures and changing dressings;
Medical and surgical aseptic techniques; and
Patient education and health coaching.

Required Courses

First Year

Fall Semester

AHMS 144 - Medical Terminology Credit(s): 3
BIOH 104NL - Basic Human Biology with Lab Credit(s): 4 *
WRIT 101W - College Writing I Credit(s): 3 *

First Semester Total: 16

Spring 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 175 - Medical Law and Ethics Credit(s): 3
AHMS 220 - Medical Office Procedures Credit(s): 4 *

Second Semester Total: 16

Summer Semester

BGEN 122 - Applied Business Math Credit(s): 3 *
CAPP 154 - MS Word Credit(s): 3
COMX 115C - Introduction to Interpersonal Communication Credit(s): 3

Third Semester Total: 12

Second Year

Fall 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 220 - Phlebotomy Credit(s): 3 *
AHMA 230 - Advanced Medical Office Procedures Credit(s): 4 *

First Semester Total: 17

Spring Semester

AHMA 280 - Medical Assisting Exam Preparation Credit(s): 1
AHMA 298 - Medical Assisting Externship Credit(s): 4 *

Second Semester Total: 6

Total Credits: 67

¹ Medical Assistant program students should register for section 01 of this course.

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

Strongly Recommended Courses:

ACTG 101 - Accounting Procedures I Credit(s): 4
AHMS 210 - Basic Medical Coding Credit(s): 3 *
AHMS 252 - Computerized Medical Billing Credit(s): 2
BIOM 250NL - Microbiology for Health Sciences Credit(s): 4 *
CAPP 116 - Short Courses: MS Excel Credit(s): 1
CAPP 131 - Basic MS Office Credit(s): 2
COMX 111C - Introduction to Public Speaking Credit(s): 3
ECP 100 - First Aid and CPR Credit(s): 2
M 120 - Mathematics with Health Care Applications Credit(s): 3 *
PSYX 100A - Introduction to Psychology Credit(s): 4

Admission Guidelines

Contact the program director for advising.
Applications for formal acceptance into the Medical Assistant AAS program are accepted once a year. Applications are available after October 1 on the FVCC Medical Assistant program website or can be picked up from the program director (BC 119) and must be completed and returned by the first Friday in November. The Medical Assistant program has a maximum of 12 students in each graduating class.

Program Information

The Medical Assistant program demands high academic and personal standards. Students considering this degree should familiarize themselves with the requirements.
All requirements for the Medical Assistant program are stated in the Medical Assistant Handbook located on the FVCC Medical Assistant Program website or can be picked up from the program director.
All AHMA classes above AHMA 101 must have program director’s signature for admission and must be taken consecutively starting spring 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 $250 of additional costs to cover uniforms, personal medical supplies, insurance and immunizations. Required current immunization costs will depend on each individual vaccine history.
AHMA 298 is an externship class which 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 the Advocate for Students with Disabilities and to the program director. Course standards will not be lowered, but various accommodations are available. A minimum of six (6) 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.
Program Accreditation
The FVCC Medical Assistant program is accredited by the Medical Assistant Education Review Board (MAERB) 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
25400 U.S. Highway 19 North, Suite 158
Clearwater, FL 33756
www.caahep.org

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

Medical Assistant graduates are eligible to take the ASCP Board of Certification, Phlebotomy Technician, PBT (ASCP) national examination.

Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR certification.

Opportunities after Graduation

Medical Assisting is one of the nation’s fastest growing careers, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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, Phlebotomy Technician and Specialty Certified Medical Assistant in various medical fields. Some CMA’s become medical office managers.

Advising Information:

For more information about this program, contact the FVCC Student Support Center or the Faculty Advisor.

Student Support Center Advisor	Faculty Advisor
Karrie Bolivar	Chris Degenhardt, CMA (AAMA)
LRC 129	BC 123B
(406) 756-3880	(406) 756-4582
kbolivar@fvcc.edu	cdegenha@fvcc.edu