Program Description and Requirements for Class of 2012/2013

Certificate as awarded on transcript

Certificate of Completion, Medical Assisting

Program Description 

The Medical Assistant program is a five- to six-term program that trains individuals to assist health care providers in their offices or other medical settings in both clinical and administrative procedures. Medical assistants work primarily in medical offices and are usually responsible for both clinical and administrative functions. Clinical duties include infection control, taking patient histories and vital signs, preparing patients for medical procedures, assisting the providers with examinations and treatments and administering selected diagnostic tests and medications as directed by the clinician. Administrative duties include scheduling and receiving patients, preparing and maintaining medical documentation, handling oral and written correspondence between the office and outside agencies and individuals, and working with insurance regulations and requirements. The medical assistant may also be responsible for equipment maintenance and supply inventories, as well as managing financial records.

Students are eligible to sit for the AAMA CMA (Certified Medical Assistant) certification examination upon completion of the certificate. The Medical Assistant program is accredited by CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs).

Cost of program 

Due to the rapidly changing nature of health care and associated costs, the following are only estimates.

Supplies

• Stethoscope and blood pressure cuff estimated at $35, uniform estimated at $60 but cost will vary depending on where purchased.

• Course and lab packets estimated at $60-$100 per term.

• Lab fees estimated at $450-$600.

Other Costs 

• By the end of fall term after entering the program, enrolled students must have:a current TB test (completed within the previous year), two MMR immunizations, two varicella vaccinations, evidence of one pertussis immunization as an adult (tdap) and a Hepatitis B immunization series with confirmation titer (or must sign a release form indicating refusal to be immunized), (estimated at $450, but cost varies depending on the clinic).

• By the end of winter term after entering the program, enrolled students must have CPR and first aid cards issued upon successful completion of HHP 252A ($20 fee in addition to tuition).

• Criminal background check completed in the month prior to entering fall term (estimated at $55).

• American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA CMA) Examination ($125).

• Books: Estimate $500/term for full-time attendance

Program preparation and prerequisites

Required prior to entry into program (MA) courses:

• High School Diploma or GED

• Minimum placement scores resulting in WR 121 placement OR completion of WR 65/75/95 (“C” or better). See the CAP Center website for scores needed to place in the above classes.

• Background check completed the month prior to entering the program (for details see http://alliedhealth.cocc.edu/Programs_Classes/Medical+Assistant/default.aspx)

• Completion of AH 111, AH 112, MTH 20 or 31 or higher, CIS 120, BI 121, BI 122 (BI 231 and 232 and 233 may be substituted for BI 121 or BI 122).

After entering the program:

• Required Immunizations

TB: TB tests are good for one year. The test will need to be repeated if it expires prior to completion of the program.

MMR: Documentation of two measles, mumps and rubella immunizations, or a titer indicating immunity. The first injection needs to be completed prior entering the program. The second needs to be completed prior to the end of fall term. If you do not have documentation of childhood immunizations, it is recommended that you start these immunizations or obtain a titer showing immunity as early as possible. Students born before January 1, 1957 do not need to meet the measles requirement but documentation of MMR may be required by practicum facilities, so it is recommended that students complete these immunizations or document titers.  

Hepatitis B series: A three-shot series that takes six months to complete. Students should start the series as soon as they know they are registered in MA core classes. The second injection is given four weeks after the first, and needs to be completed by the end of fall term. The third injection is completed four months after the first, and needs to be completed before the end of fall term . A confirmation titer needs to be completed one month after the 3rd injection.

Varicella: evidence of two varicella vaccinations or titer showing immunity. The first injection needs to be completed prior entering the program. The second needs to be completed prior to the end of fall term.  

Tdap: evidence of one adult pertussis immunization prior to entering the program

• Completion of HHP 252 or 252A with successful acquisition of current CPR and first aid cards by end of winter term (including adult, child and infant CPR as well as first aid)

• All COCC students enrolled in Medical Assistant program, which includes requirements for practical experience have to complete Criminal History Checks (CHC) as a condition of their acceptance into the program.

• Students who have violations that appear on the CHC may not be eligible to complete training at affiliated practicum sites, to sit for licensure or certification exams, or to be hired for some professional positions. Felonies and some misdemeanors may dramatically reduce a student’s chance of completing the practicum or finding employment. If personal history may interfere with the ability to complete the program of study or to obtain licensure or certification in the chosen field, contact the appropriate state board or the program director.

• Students are required to follow the dress and professional standards set by the program and practicum sites.

• Students are required to sign the program student handbook, program letter of agreement, invasive procedure consents, release of information consents (for practicum sites) and background check consents. Some practicum sites may require additional background checks or immunizations at the student’s expense.

• Flexibility during weekday hours and transportation to Central Oregon locations are necessary during the term when practicum hours occur.

• Students give and receive injections and blood draws as part of the learning process in the program.

Minimum GPA or grade requirements

All courses required for the program must be completed at a “C” grade or better and graduates must have an overall 2.0 GPA or higher.

Registration information

Program (MA) courses begin once per year in fall term. All MA courses offered each term must be taken together and sequentially. Students are discouraged from working during the term(s) they are assigned practicum due to the need to be flexible enough to attend practicum assignments when facilities are available. The admissions process is under review. Please see the Medical Assistant program website or contact the program director and/or the CAP Center for current information.

Program Standards

Students must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA while enrolled in the program (MA) courses; students who do not meet this standard may be dismissed from the program. In order to maintain a “C” in core classes, students must maintain an average of 70 percent on tests and quizzes in each class and an overall average of 75 percent in each class and each lab. In addition, CAAHEP accreditation requires 100% of all medical assisting graduates pass 100% of all psychomotor and affective competencies. Students must participate in at least 80 percent of the classes and the labs for each section to be retained in the program and must pass all required check-off’s, work samples and skill demonstrations.

The following actions may also result in probation and/or dismissal of a student from the MA program:

• Poor personal hygiene resulting in verbal notification to the student that may include, but is not limited to:

Perfumes

Smoking

Hygiene

• Improper attire that exposes the midriff, the gluteal cleft or breast cleavage

• Habitual tardiness

• Behaving in an illegal or non-professional manner which may harm the reputation of either the MA program or that of Central Oregon Community College.

• Behaving in a manner that interferes with class instruction or class participation such as sleeping, non-participation, illness, or aggressive actions

• Attending classes under the influences of alcohol, illegal drugs, or prescription drugs that adversely affect behavior

• Displaying inappropriate sexual overtures or behaviors

• Harassment or verbal abuse toward any student, staff member, or clinic participant that may include rudeness, ridiculing or condescending actions

• Failure to comply with probationary requirements as designated in the student action plan

Students with physical or mental conditions that have the potential to jeopardize patient safety may need medical clearance and/or additional supervision by preceptors and instructors in the practicum settings. Students who cannot meet safety requirements may be dismissed from the program.

Students must be available to attend a minimum of 160 hours of practicum when assigned. Practicum schedules are often changed during the term due to facility availability. Students’ personal schedules cannot be accommodated due to the volume of students and limited number of practicum sites available.

Students who leave or are dropped from the program may re-enter the next fall with the permission of the program director. In rare cases, a student may re-enter at a different point in the program on a space-available basis and with permission from the director of the program. Students may be required to repeat demonstrations of previous competencies to ensure they retained the required skills and knowledge to progress in the program.

National/state legal eligibility or unique requirements for licensure and/or entry into occupation, or advancement in the occupation

The Medical Assistant program is accredited by CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs). Upon successful completion of the program, students receive a certificate of completion from COCC. At that time students are eligible to submit an application and, if accepted, sit for the AAMA CMA Certification examination. Upon passing the AAMA exam, medical assistants have earned the CMA (Certified Medical Assistant). Only graduates of accredited medical assistant programs are eligible to sit for the AAMA CMA Certification Examination.

In Oregon it is not necessary to be a CMA to work as a medical assistant. However, opportunities for advancement in the occupation are enhanced with certification.

Individuals who have been found guilty of a felony, or pleaded guilty to a felony, may not be eligible to sit for licensure or certification examinations. However, the Certifying Board may grant a waiver based on mitigating circumstances. See the Certified Medical Assistant Examination Application for specifics at www.aama-ntl.org.

Transfer information

This certificate is designed for students planning to enter their chosen career upon graduation. Often only selected credits are considered transferrable to public or private baccalaureate institutions.

Program course requirements

General education/foundational requirements

Program requirements

Other required courses

Suggested course of study

Prior to entering the program:

(Any class not beginning with the letters MA can be completed prior to entering the program. It is suggested that students complete as many as possible in addition to the prerequisites prior to entering the program.)

Prerequisites:

The following classes can be taken any time before, during or after entry into the MA program, but are recommended prior to entry:

WR 121 English Composition (4cr)

SP 218 Interpersonal Communication (3cr)

CIS 10 Computer Keyboarding (1cr)

(Note: HHP 252 First Aid and CPR or HHP 252A Fitness/First Aid and AH 113 Introduction to Study of Disease can also be taken prior to entry if desired.)

Total required prior to entry: 17-22

Total recommended prior to entry: 25-38

After entering the program:

Fall

Total fall: 14

Winter

Total winter: 15

Spring

Total spring: 4-9

Summer