Program Overview

This concentrated 36 credit-hour certificate program is designed for the individual who is interested in becoming a medical assistant in a physician's office or other outpatient health care setting. The curriculum provides training in a variety of administrative and clinical tasks to facilitate the work of the physician. Administrative duties include patient communication, computer skills and record keeping. Clinical duties include assisting with examinations, treatments, diagnostic testing, patient education, and preparation and administration of medications.

The program may be taken part-time and many courses are available on an evening schedule. An orientation and planning session is recommended by the coordinator. Detailed information is available on the website harpercollege.edu

Professional Accreditation and Certification

The Medical Assistant certificate program at Harper College has been accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Allied Health Educational Programs (CAAHEP) upon recommendation of the Medical Assistant Education Review Board (MAERB). Graduates of the programs are eligible to sit for the national certification examination sponsored by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). The MOA graduate who successfully completes this national examination is credentialed as a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA-AAMA).

Please contact the program coordinator for current name(s) and pertinent information regarding the national professional organization(s) affiliated with the programs in the Medical Office Administration department.

Program Requirements

Required

A grade of C or better in all BIO, HSC and MOA courses is required for all students.

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Students must submit an American Heart Association Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation for the Health Care Provider (CPR) certificate before entering externship.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Coordinate and facilitate patient care throughout the ambulatory care setting.
• Effectively communicate with patients, families and members of the health care team.
• Perform clerical functions necessary to maintain medical office appointments, transcription and health care records.
• Maintain patient confidentiality.
• Apply basic billing and collection, insurance, coding and managed care guidelines to maintain office bookkeeping.
• Collect, process and transport specimens.
• Perform, assist and follow up on procedure and diagnostic tests.
• Perform within legal and ethical boundaries.
• Instruct patients regarding health maintenance and disease prevention, perform operational and maintenance functions such as inventory of supplies and equipment, routine maintenance of equipment.
• Utilize computer software to maintain office systems.
• The student is able to effectively perform the clinical competencies of the medical assisting profession as outline by the AAMA in MOA 215 - Clinical Procedures.
• The student will be prepared to take and pass the national Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam within one year of completion of the program.

Gainful Employment

Harper College provides Gainful Employment information to comply with the U.S. Department of Education.