Medical Assistant
Ms.Tracie Fuqua, Program Director
(256)352-8321 or 866-350-9722, ext.8321
tracie.fuqua@wallacestate.edu
Projected as the fastest growing healthcare profession through the year 2014 by the U.S. Department of Labor and Statistics, the Medical Assistant Program offers a variety of options of study. The Medical Assistant curriculum prepares students to function as allied-health professionals who perform medical assisting procedures, laboratory procedures and basic radiographic techniques usually in a physician’s office or outpatient clinic. Administrative duties including scheduling and receiving patients, preparing and maintaining medical records, performing secretarial skills and medical transcription, handling telephone calls and writing correspondence, serving as a liason between the physician and other individuals and managing practice finances. Clinical duties include preparing the patient for examination, taking patient histories and vital signs, performing first-aid and CPR, assisting the physician with examinations and treatments, performing routine laboratory procedures and diagnostic tests, preparing and administering medications as directed by the physician and performing electrocardiograms and basic radiography.
The Wallace State Community College-Hanceville Medical Assisting Program Associate in Applied Science Degree is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) 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, 1361 Park Street, Clearwater, FL 33756 (727)210-2350.
The Medical Assistant Program offers Four alternatives for a student’s Completion of classes: (Note: Actual program completion time may vary).
1. Four Semesters, Non-integrated program: A student who has completed all general education courses may complete the MAT program courses in 4 semesters by taking 3 semesters of full time study. The last semester the student will perform the clinical rotation.
2. Two-year integrated program. A student may schedule general education classes while taking the medical assistant courses. This alternative requires a minimum of 5 or 6 semesters to complete.
3. Online/Hybrid Program: A student may schedule MAT online program in accordance with either the one year or two year completion option. MAT lab hours must be completed on campus. The clinical practicum/preceptorship must be completed on dayshift at an approved health care outpatient physician’s office or clinic, not online.
4. Part time Program: The student may choose to complete the program by attending part time. Progression will depend upon the number of classes taken each semester.
Students should indicate on the program application, the option that they would like to choose to complete their degree.
Graduates will be able to sit for the national certification examination for the Medical Assistant administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants Certification Board. AAMA Disciplinary Standards, effective March 2000 state that if a person is found guilty of a felony or has pleaded guilty to a felony the individual will be ineligible to sit for the Certification Examination. The certifying board may grant a waiver based upon mitigating circumstances. A student who is a felon may be admitted to the Medical Assistant Program. However, this does not ensure that they will be granted a waiver fromthe AAMA certifying board and allowed to sit for the CMA credential. After successful completion of the exam, the individual will be a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA).
PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION
Applicants Must:
1. Meet all the general admission requirements of WSCC.
2. Submit a WSCC application to the Admissions Office.
Applications will be accepted until June 15 for Fall admission. Applicants received after June 15 will be considered on a space available basis. Applications will be accepted until November 1 for Spring admission. Applications received after the deadline date will be considered on a space available basis.
3. Submit a program application to the Medical Assistant Program Director. Attach copies of transcripts from high schools as well as other institutions attended.
4. Possess a minimum 2.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
5. Submit ACT score to the Director of Admissions
SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION
1. The Medical Assistant Program admits two times per year.
2. Students are selected on the basis of program application date and completion of program admission requirements. All other factors being equal, the ACT score will be deciding factors for admission. Program applications will be reviewed for completion program completion of program admission requirements.
3. Program applications will be reviewed for completion of program admission requirements. Written notification of the outcome of each application will be mailed to the student at the address provided on the application.
4. Students selected must respond, confirming acceptance within ten (10) days of the postmarked date of the acceptance letter. A student who fails to respond may forfeit hi/her place in the class. A signed consent to drug testing must accompany the acceptance confirmation.
5. Students selected for acceptance should attend the mandatory orientation session. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of their space in the class.
Medical Assistant students are required to submit an annual physical examination form, including Hepatitis B and other vaccination status, and current CPR certification before they will be allowed into the clinical facilities. Only CPR courses that provide certification for health care providers will be accepted. Accident and liability insurance available through the College, is required of all Medical Assistant students.
PROGRESSION
Students must maintain a grade of “C” or better in all major required courses and the general required Math course. Students who withdraw or are dismissed from the program must apply for re-admission. Students will be readmitted one time only.
GENERAL REQUIRED COURSES (22-23 Credit Hours)
ORI 101* | Orientation to College | 1 | ||
ENG 101 | English Composition I | 3 | ||
SPH 106 or 107 | Fundamentals of Oral Communication | 3 | ||
BIO 103 | Principles of Biology I | 4 | ||
PSY 200 | General Psychology | 3 | ||
HUM | Humanities and Fine Arts Elective | 3 | ||
MTH 116 | Mathematical Applications | 3 | ||
CIS | Computer Science Elective | 3 |
*Orientation to College is a college requirement; not a requirement of the program. You are exempt from orientation if you are a transfer student with a minimum of 12 semester hours of college work or if you were enrolled at Wallace State Community College before Fall 2004. Orientation 103 is required for any student who places in a developmental-level course.
MAJOR REQUIRED COURSES (47-48 Credit Hours)
MAT 101 | Medical Terminology | 3 | ||
MAT 102 | Medical Assisting Theory I | 3 | ||
MAT 103 | Medical Assisting Theory II | 3 | ||
MAT 111 | Clinical Procedures I for the Medical Assistant | 3 | ||
MAT 120 | Medical Administrative Procedures I | 3 | ||
MAT 121 | Medical Administrative Procedures II | 3 | ||
MAT 125 | Laboratory Procedures I for the Medical Assistant | 3 | ||
MAT 128 | Medical Law & Ethics for the Medical Assistant | 3 | ||
MAT 200 | Management of Office Emergencies | 2 | ||
MAT 211 | Clinical Procedures II for the Medical Assistant | 3 | ||
MAT 215 | Laboratory Procedures II for the Medical Assistant | 3 | ||
MAT 216 | Medical Pharmacology for the Medical Office | 4 | ||
MAT 219 | Radiology for the Medical Assistant | 3 | ||
MAT 220 | Medical Office Insurance | 3 | ||
MAT 222 | Medical Transcription I | 2 | ||
MAT 229 | Medical Assisting Preceptorship | 3 | ||
HIT 120** | Introduction to Keyboarding | 1 | ||
TOTAL HOURS | 69-71 |
**HIT 120 is waived in lieu of 35 WPM typing proficiency.
