Program Description:
Medical assistants are multi-skilled allied health professionals specifically educated to work in ambulatory settings performing administrative and clinical duties. The practice of medical assisting directly influences the public’s wellbeing, and requires mastery of a complex body of knowledge and specialized skills requiring both formal education and practical experiences that serve as standards for entry into the profession. The business administrative duties include scheduling and receiving patients; obtaining patients’ data; maintaining medical records; handling telephone calls, correspondence, reports, and manuscripts; assuming responsibility for office care; and handling insurance matters, office accounts, fees, and collections. The clinical duties vary according to state law and may include preparing patients for examination, obtaining vital signs, taking medical histories, assisting with examinations and treatments, performing routine office laboratory procedures and electrocardiograms, preparing and administering medications and immunizations, sterilizing instruments and equipment for office procedures, and instructing patients in preparation for radiologic and laboratory examinations, and providing patient education. Both administrative and clinical duties involve purchasing and maintaining supplies and equipment. A medical assistant may also be responsible for personnel and office management. Successful completion of this program entitles graduates to sit for the national credentialing examination given by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) to earn the Certified Medical Assistant CMA (AAMA) credential.
The Hinds Community College Medical Assisting Technology Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB).
Contact Information for CAAHEP:
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
25400 U.S. Highway 19 North, Suite 158
Clearwater, Florida 33763
727.210.2350
www.caahep.org
Contact Information for MAERB:
Medical Assisting Education Review Board
20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 1575
Chicago, IL 60606
800.228.2262
www.maerb.org
**Completion Award: Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting Technology 65-67 SH
A grade of “C” or above is required in all science and MET courses.
**Additional Graduation Requirement: Any student (first-time, transfer, and part-time) who begins at Hinds Fall 2007 and later will be required to take Orientation (LLS 1312 /RST 1312 ) to graduate from the College. Exception: Orientation credit (1-3 hrs) transferred to Hinds from another college will satisfy our orientation requirement.
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