Program Info
Program Description
A Level II (complex skills) certificate designed to prepare professional multi-skilled individuals for employment in physician’s offices, medical clinics, laboratories and other ambulatory health care facilities. Emphasizes administrative and clinical skills in the classroom and laboratory under directed practical experience in physician offices, clinics, and ambulatory care settings, teen health centers, and in the public school system.
Externships are arranged by program faculty utilizing many of the clinical agencies throughout the region.
- Perform entry level patient assessment and care in an ambulatory setting showing proficiency in patient safety, wellness and education based on scope of practice and national standards.
- Demonstrate mathematical processes related to administering medication, mensuration of a patient using various methodologies, and reading clinical/laboratory equipment and graphs.
- Demonstrate the ability to successfully perform clinical lab procedures, safety and emergency procedures along with patient preparation in the ambulatory and inpatient care setting.
- Communicate effectively using verbal, non-verbal, and written communication as it relates to various health care providers and businesses.
- Perform administrative duties based on scope of practice as it relates to finances, billing and insurance, and effective practice management.
According to recent reports from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical assistants is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2030 as the health care industry expands because of technological advances in medicine and a growing aging population.
Employment growth will be driven by the increase in the number of group practices and other health care facilities that need a high proportion of support personnel, particularly the flexible medical assistant who can handle both administrative and clinical duties.
Medical assistants will have the opportunity and skill sets to work both clinically and administratively in ambulatory care, hospitals, laboratories, and surgical clinics, while serving various specialties such as pediatrics, oncology, geriatrics, gynecology, and billing and coding facilities.
Information about career placement and job success is available through either the School of Health and Human Services Office or the College Placement Office.
Applicants who consider a career in medical assisting should be aware that during the course of their education and subsequent employment they are likely to working in situations where exposure to infectious diseases is possible. This is an occupational risk for all health care workers. Persons should not become health care workers unless they recognize and accept this risk. Proper education and strict adherence to well established infection-control guidelines can reduce the risk to a minimum. Thorough education in infection control procedures is an important part of the medical assistant program of study.
Latex Allergies
Early recognition of sensitization to natural rubber latex (NRL) is crucial to prevent the occurrence of life-threatening reactions in sensitized healthcare workers. The Medical Assistant Certificate of Achievement Program Faculty strongly advises that students sensitized or allergic to latex consult a physician for guidance on the merits of continuing in a healthcare career. NRL sensitized students who choose to continue in their program must notify the program director upon admission.
As with any healthcare position, there are certain occupational risks that come into play with being a medical assistant, and those hazards include the following:
- Exposure to infectious diseases
- Sharps injuries
- Bloodborne pathogens and biological hazards
- Chemical and drug exposure
- Ergonomic hazards from lifting, sitting, and repetitive tasks
- Latex allergies
- Stress
Upon completion of the Medical Assistant Certificate of Achievement Program, students are eligible to sit for either of the following certification examinations for medical assistants. Each credential is equal in weight, importance, and acceptance for future employment.
CMAs and RMAs receive a better salary than those without credentials. Employers prefer medical assistants from accredited programs with professional certification.
- The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) offers the CMA (Certified Medical Assistant) examination. The CMA is a national certification.
- The American Medical Technologist (AMT) offers the RMA (Registered Medical Assistant) examination. The RMA credential is an international certification.
All educational experiences are under the guidance of the Medical Assistant Certificate of Achievement program. Student progress is evaluated in the classroom, laboratory and clinical setting throughout the program. Progression in the program is based upon the student meeting the following requirements:
- Adherence to the program requirements outlined in the Medical Assistant Certificate of Achievement Student Handbook.
- Achievement of a minimum grade of C or better in all MOA and required support courses including the last in the sequence (MOA-190).
- Maintenance of an overall cumulative grade-point-average (GPA) of 2.25 or better.
- All MOA courses taken at HFC must be successfully completed within three consecutive calendar years. The Medical Assisting Certificate of Achievement program continuously updates its program of study to meet changing health care needs and the requirements of the accreditation agency and clinical affiliates, thus the College reserves the right to change policies at any time.
The Medical Assistant Certificate of Achievement program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of the Medical Assistant Education Review Board (MAERB).
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355-113th St N. #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
727-210-2350
www.caahep.org
Program Outcomes
- Retention:
- 2018-2022 retention: 86.96%
- Job Placement:
- 2018-2022 average for graduates: 84.8%
- Exam Pass Rate:
- 2018-2022 graduates: 77.42%
Admission Requirements
- A minimum high school grade-point-average of C+ (2.5) or a minimum average score of 55 on the GED test, or a minimum college grade-point-average of C (2.25) for both transfer students and Henry Ford College students.
- Successful completion of MATH-100 or higher with a C or better.
- Complete one of the following:
- Typing test at 45 words/min or better.
- Successful completion of BCA-100 with a grade of B or better.
- ACCUPLACER Next Gen (231+) Reading Score
- Successful completion of AH-100 with a C or better.
The program is restricted, has a limited enrollment, and admits students based on space availability. Admission is on a first-come, first-served basis. Students must see the Health Careers advisor for admission to the program and are highly encouraged to complete their admission requirements as early as possible.
Accreditation standards require that students do not receive compensation/payment, monetary or otherwise, from any clinical site for any portion of their clinical externship (MOA-190: Medical Office Externship).
The following courses must be taken within the same academic year in the following sequence:
Fall - MOA-122
Winter- MOA-152
Summer - MOA-190
In order to begin the clinical procedures course of the Medical Assistant Certificate of Achievement Program, MOA-152, students must meet the following pre-requisites all with a C or better:
MOA-101
MOA-110
MOA-122
MATH-100 or higher
BIO-134 or BIO-233 and BIO-234
During the program the students will be required to submit proof of all of the following by designated program deadlines:
- Active health insurance coverage
- Completion of physical examination
- Two-step tuberculosis PPD test (2-step TB test)
- Evidence of required immunizations and titers.
- American Heart Association, Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers certification (AHA-BLS for Healthcare Providers card) valid beginning MOA-152 and 6 months post MOA-190 (may be satisfied by AH-105).
- American Heart Association, Heartsaver First Aid certification valid prior to beginning MOA-152 and 6 months post MOA-190.
- Valid driver’s license or state issued identification card with a photo.
- Must pass the drug screen on the first test.
- Criminal background check.
- Health Careers typing test at 45 words/min or better or successful completion of BCA-100 with a grade of B or better.
Program Requirements
Students must maintain a minimum C grade or better in all MOA required core and support courses including the last in the sequence, MOA-190. All MOA courses taken at HFC must be successfully completed within three consecutive calendar years.
Accreditation standards require that students do not receive compensation/payment, monetary or otherwise, from any clinical site for any portion of their clinical practicum (MOA-190).
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
Mathematics: Complete MATH-100: Basic Technical Mathematics or higher |
4.00 |
| PSY-131: Introductory Psychology | 3.00 |
Biology: Complete BIO-134 or BIO-233 and BIO-234. |
5.00 |