Program description
Medical assisting is one of the fastest growing occupations through the year 2014, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This growth is due to recent increases in outpatient facilities, such as group practices and clinics.
The Medical Assistant Program prepares you to become a multi-skilled professional who assists in patient care management. The program will help you to develop the critical skills needed to perform clinical, laboratory and administrative duties in clinics, hospitals, urgent care facilities and other health care agencies.
You will also participate in a clinical externship under the direct supervision of a physician. Upon graduation, you are eligible to take the certification exam of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Curriculum Review Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants Endowment (AAMAE).
The Medical Assistant Program is the first program in Minnesota to develop an online Administrative Procedure course for Medical Assistants. We are currently in our second semester of offering the option of this online course.
Program points of pride
- The Medical Assisting program retention rate holds strong at 98%.
- We developed the first online Administrative Procedure course for Medical Assistants in Minnesota.
- The Medical Assistant program received the longest amount for accreditation in 2002 and is good until spring 2010.
- All second semester students meet with instructors on Student Success Day. Our success rate on Student Success Day is 100% with our second semester students.
- The GPS Life Plan has been initiated into our Clinical I course with students getting group interaction early on in the semester with the GPS representatives.
- Our program works with Century’s Student Services with conducting Mock Interviews and Resume Building with our Administrative Class students.
- Our students work with the Busy Bees Daycare Center to conduct vital clinics and interpersonal relationships with the children.
We have more than 60 externship sites that connect the students with clinics in the community.
Service Learning
- Students are partnering with elders at the Lyngblomsten Care Facility.
- Students participate with hearing and vision screening for the Mahtomedi School District.
- Students have performed cholesterol screenings for the DOT.
- Students have participated in flu shot clinics at neighboring clinics.
- Students are performing blood pressure screenings through the American Red Cross, Century College Health Services, and Lyngblomsten Care Facility.
- Students perform first aid skills on grades 2-5 at the Mahtomedi School District.
Student points of pride
Kathryn Paulson is presently a student in the Medical Assistant Program. Kathryn has been recognized in Spring 2007 as an outstanding student and will be presented with the Outstanding Student Award on April 27, 2007.
Robin Blair, a recent graduate from the Medical Assistant Program applied for and was granted a $500 scholarship from the MSMA in the Spring of 2007. Robin also was the student representative on the Medical Assistant Program Advisory Committee, who now serves in this position as an employed Medical Assistant.
Occupational trends
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assisting will be one of the fastest growing occupations through the year 2014. The growth will be driven by an increase in the number of outpatient facilities, such as group practices and clinics. With the various job opportunities available for the Medical Assistant, starting wages range from $13.25- $17.00 an hour, with specialty clinics on the higher end of the scale.
Financial aid and scholarships
Maxine Williams Scholarship
Named after M. Maxine Williams, a founder of the American Association of Medical Assistants and its first president. Students enrolled in, and having completed a minimum of one quarter or semester at, a postsecondary medical assisting program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and having a grade point average of 3.0 or higher would be eligible for this scholarship. Awards of $1,000 and a one-year membership in the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) are granted based on academic ability and financial need.
Minnesota Society of Medical Assistants (MSMA)
Applicant must be Minnesota resident, attending a CAAHEP accredited and AAMA approved medical assistant program in Minnesota, and have an aptitude for the field of medical assisting. The MSMA sponsors four $500.00 scholarships a year. Any student currently attending a CAAHEP accredited school who meets the above criteria can apply.