Dec 21, 2024

Catalog 2019-2020

Catalog 2019-2020 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Medical Assisting

Important Information

Short Description

This program is designed to prepare students to work as medical assistants in the office of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, clinics, urgent care centers, concierge medical offices, government agencies, public health departments, and other medical facilities.

Type of Credential

Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.)

Program Code

682

Contacts and Additional Information

Program Coordinator:
CCBC Catonsville, Debra Graber
443-840-4335 or dgraber@ccbcmd.edu

Additional Information:

Health Workforce Shortage Program
Opportunities for Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) - Several General Education classes offer PLA. See Portfolio, Departmental Exam, CLEP, DSST, Advanced Placement, and International Baccalaureate.
Medical assistants with a current RMA or CMA certification in good standing are eligible for CCBC’s Articulated Credit by Industry (Fast Track) program. The program awards 30 credits toward the Medical Assisting A.A.S. degree at no cost. See http://www.ccbcmd.edu/Resources-for-Students/Academic-Advisement/Prior-Learning-Assessment/Industry-Certification.aspx
Articulation and Transfer Agreements

Semester Sequence

This is a suggested full-time schedule for a student who has completed any developmental course work and has no transfer credits. Refer to the College catalog for specific requirements in selecting General Education courses .

Semester 1*

BIOL 109 - Human Anatomy and Physiology 4 Credit(s).
ENGL 101 - College Composition I 3 Credit(s).
MDAS 141 - Medical Terminology: A Contextual Approach 3 Credit(s).
MDAS 146 - Fundamentals for the Medical Office 3 Credit(s).

Semester 2

CMNS 101 - Fundamentals of Communication 3 Credit(s).
CSIT 101 - Technology and Information Systems 3 Credit(s).
HIIT 102 - Health Care Delivery Systems 3 Credit(s).
MDAS 145 - Health Law, Ethics, and Medical Documentation 3 Credit(s).
Gen. Ed. Elective - Mathematics 3-4 Credits. Note: Students are required to earn 60 credits to graduate and may need to take a 4-credit Math.

Semester 3

BIOL 260 - Disease and Diagnosis 4 Credit(s).
MDAS 110 - Basic Medical Coding 3 Credit(s).
MDAS 153 - Pre-Clinical Concepts and Applications 3 Credit(s).
MDAS 253 - Clinical Medical Assisting I: Fundamentals of Clinical Practice 4 Credit(s).
PSYC 105 - Multicultural Psychology 3 Credit(s).

Semester 4

MDAS 251 - Medical Billing and Patient Accounting 3 Credit(s).
MDAS 257 - Clinical Medical Assisting II: Specimen Collection Techniques and Analyses 4 Credit(s).
MDAS 261 - Clinical Medical Assisting III: Medication Dosing and Administration 3 Credit(s).
MDAS 265 - Medical Assisting Practicum 4 Credit(s).

Courses Needed for This Program*

General Education Requirements and Electives - 19-20 Credits

General Education Requirements:

BIOL 109 - Human Anatomy and Physiology 4 Credit(s).
CMNS 101 - Fundamentals of Communication 3 Credit(s).
CSIT 101 - Technology and Information Systems 3 Credit(s).
ENGL 101 - College Composition I 3 Credit(s).
PSYC 105 - Multicultural Psychology 3 Credit(s). (fulfills Diversity Requirement)

General Education Elective:

Mathematics 3-4 Credits. Note: Students are required to earn 60 credits to graduate and may need to take a 4-credit Math.

Program Requirements and Electives - 40 Credits

Program Requirements:

BIOL 260 - Disease and Diagnosis 4 Credit(s).
HIIT 102 - Health Care Delivery Systems 3 Credit(s).
MDAS 110 - Basic Medical Coding 3 Credit(s).
MDAS 141 - Medical Terminology: A Contextual Approach 3 Credit(s).
MDAS 145 - Health Law, Ethics, and Medical Documentation 3 Credit(s).
MDAS 146 - Fundamentals for the Medical Office 3 Credit(s).
MDAS 153 - Pre-Clinical Concepts and Applications 3 Credit(s).
MDAS 251 - Medical Billing and Patient Accounting 3 Credit(s).
MDAS 253 - Clinical Medical Assisting I: Fundamentals of Clinical Practice 4 Credit(s).
MDAS 257 - Clinical Medical Assisting II: Specimen Collection Techniques and Analyses 4 Credit(s).
MDAS 261 - Clinical Medical Assisting III: Medication Dosing and Administration 3 Credit(s).
MDAS 265 - Medical Assisting Practicum 4 Credit(s).

Total Credits Required for Degree: 60*

Note

*Credit students who are new to college (no successfully completed transferable college credits from other institutions) are required to take ACDV 101 - Academic Development: Transitioning to College . This 1-credit course is designed to be taken in the first semester at CCBC. Students must provide an official transcript(s) from an accredited institution to document successful completion of college coursework for the ACDV 101 requirement to be waived.

Program Description

Medical assistants are multi-skilled allied health professionals who perform both administrative and clinical duties under the supervision of a physician. Clinical skills training includes assisting with medical exams, obtaining and recording vital signs, documenting medical records electronically, preparing and administering medication including injections, and performing venipuncture and other specimen collection and processing. Medical assistants are also trained to manage and code medical records, perform daily billing and accounting tasks, and communicate effectively and appropriately within the medical facility. Medical assistants can move into office management positions.

Healthcare is one of the largest employment sectors in the Baltimore region with 188,000 employees as of 2012. There are at least 24 healthcare systems and medical centers in the region (“Baltimore Regional Talent Development Pipeline Study 2013”, page 16). The Department of Labor Occupational Handbook predicts that employment of medical assistants is expected to grow 29 percent from 2012 through 2022. This is much faster than the average for all occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes, “The growth of the aging baby-boom population will continue to spur demand for preventive medical services, which are often provided by physicians. As their practices expand, physicians will hire more assistants to perform routine administrative and clinical duties, allowing the physicians to see more patients.”

This program is approved by American Medical Technologists for successful graduates to sit for the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) exam.

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this degree, graduates will be able to:

produce first-time mailable copy from a variety of input media using state-of-the art software;
manage records and data electronically and manually;
combine organizational and technical skills to improve office workflow;
speak and write effectively for interpersonal, group, and office communication;
utilize credible sources and/or databases to gather data, compile research, and draft or abstract reports;
comply with HIPAA and other federal and state regulations;
process coding and billing of medical records electronically;
assist in preparing patients for medical treatment or procedures and accurately document all procedures;
collect and process a variety of patient specimens;
accurately dose and administer medication; and
discern appropriate responses when faced with ethical and professional challenges.

Other

Medical Assisting Policies

Students must pass all courses with a “C” or better to progress through the program. This includes General Education and Program Requirement courses. Some program courses are only offered once a year. Check with the Program Coordinator when selecting courses.

Medical Assisting students are expected to exhibit professional behavior and communicate effectively in English.

This program requires students to participate in a 160-hour, non-paid practicum in a medical practice. Practicums are full time and are only available Monday through Friday. Required documentation must be submitted to the Program Coordinator and approved prior to practicum placement. Costs associated with obtaining documentation are at the student’s expense. Documentation includes the following:

a medical examination stating student is capable of performing the duties of a medical assistant;
proof of immunizations, TB test and/or chest x-ray, hepatitis immunization or signed waiver, flu shot, and current Tetanus immunization;
CPR for Health Care Providers; and
criminal background check and drug screen.

Additional Costs:

scrubs, soft sole shoes
watch with sweeping second hand

Articulation

Baltimore County high school graduates may be eligible for advanced placement and credit in this program.