Medical Assistant Information

The Program

The ECC Medical Assistant Program is designed to train competent professionals to meet the needs of an ever-expanding allied health field.

It combines both formal education and practical experience to help participants master the complex body of knowledge and specialized skills necessary for a successful career. The program prepares competent, entry-level medical assistants in cognitive (knowledge, psychomotor (skills) and affective (behavior) learning domains.

Assuming appropriate placement scores, a full-time student can complete the certificate track in approximately 18 months.

Department of Science and Engineering (636) 584-6632

Accreditation

The ECC Medical Assistant Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).  For more information concerning accreditation standards contact the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), 1361 Park Street, Clearwater, FL 33756, phone number 727-210-2350, web address  www.caahep.org

The Career

Medical assistants directly influence the public’s health and well-being. They are multi-skilled professionals specifically educated to work in ambulatory settings performing administrative and clinical duties. Specific tasks include phone support, bookkeeping, coordinating appointments, personally interacting with patients, coding paper and electronic health files and completing insurance forms. Some medical assistants also take patient vital signs and help with injections, examinations and lab test preparations under a doctor’s supervision. By completing these tasks, medical assistants enable physicians to focus more directly on patient care.

Professional Traits

Medical assistants should:

• Have strong oral and interpersonal communication skills
• Pay close attention to details
• Be proficient with office computer programs and related medical software
• Know how to carry out clinical assessment and treatment and utilize the equipment necessary to perform these tasks
• Have working knowledge of medical terminology, medical documentation and disease processes pertaining to each body system

Employment & Salary Information

By 2020, the number of medical assistant positions is expected to increase by 31 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In May 2013, the annual average pay for these professionals was $29,610 or $14.24 per hour.

Jobs for medical assistants in healthcare organizations include:

• Acute and long-term hospitals
• Physician offices, clinics and labs
• Offices of other medical practitioners such as chiropractors
• Occupational health facilities
• Urgent care and outpatient surgical facilities

Additional Program Information

Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) 31-9092.00