Award: Associate of Applied Sciences Degree
| No. of credits required: | 62-66 |
For more information: Contact Donna Rowan,
443-412-2389, dorowan@harford.edu, or Advising, Career,
and Transfer Services, 443-412-2301.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Associate of Applied Sciences degree in Medical Assisting
at Harford Community College is a career program designed
to prepare students for employment as medical assistants
immediately upon completing the course of studies. The
program prepares students to work in an administrative and
clinical capacity in a variety of medical office and clinical
settings. Students learn the knowledge, technical skills and
work ethic that are required for an entry level position in
medical assisting. The program includes both classroom theory
and clinical practice. Graduates of the program are eligible to test for the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) through American Medical Technologists (AMT) or the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) through American Association of Medical Assistant (AAMA). Please note that, generally, individuals who have been found guilty of a felony, or pleaded guilty to a felony, are not eligible to take the exam. However, the Certifying Board may grant a waiver based upon mitigating circumstances.
Students may complete the Associate degree in Medical
Assisting in four semesters without a summer session, or in
15 months which includes a summer session.
Administrative duties performed by medical assistants include
general medical office procedures, scheduling appointments,
medical billing, and coding. Clinical duties include recording
medical histories and vital signs, preparing patients for
examination and procedures, performing laboratory tests,
pharmacology and injection training, and phlebotomy and
ECG training.
PROGRAM GOALS
Upon completion of the program, the student will :
- Perform clinical skills within the scope of practice for a medical assistant: phlebotomy, injections, EKG (electrocardiogram), obtaining lab specimens, and vital signs.
- Perform executive administrative skills within the scope of practice for a medical assistant including; scheduling, billing and coding.
- Possess knowledge of legal implications and ethical considerations in an ambulatory healthcare setting.
- Follow the AAMA (American Association of Medical Assistants) Code of Ethics.
- Be eligible to take the RMA (Registered Medical Assistant) Examination through American Medical Technologists for national certification.
- Have completed 160 hours of unpaid externship in an ambulatory healthcare setting.
- Demonstrate professionalism and effective communication skills.
- Qualify to secure an entry level employment position as a medical assistant.
EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION
Medical assisting is one of the fastest growing health
professional occupations in the United States. According
to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical
assistants will continue to grow much faster than average
through the year 2018 as the health care industry expands
because of technological advances in medicine and the
growth and aging of the population.
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DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Recommended Course Sequence
# Biology Requirement choose BIO 108 & BIO 116 OR BIO 203 & BIO 204
* Current Healthcare Provider Level CPR and First Aid certification
are required prior to starting this course. PPD status
and immunization and health records must be provided
prior to orientation to this course.
** Medical Assisting Externship requires 160 hours
of unpaid work experience in a physician's office
or clinical setting.
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Behavioral/Social Science
English Composition
Arts/Humanities
Interdisciplinary and Emerging Issues
Biological/Physical Laboratory Science
Mathematics
Biological/Physical Science