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 related to each body system
Employment Opportunities
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
The Program
The East Central College 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.
Admissions Requirements
To enter the program, students must have completed:
- High school diploma or the equivalent (documentation sent to the registration office)
- Application for admission
- A placement test as specified by the college (please note: some coursework requires minimum placement results)
Prerequisites
Students need to demonstrate proficiency in reading, English and mathematics based on the college assessment scores, or by taking the recommended/required classes. Students also should have basic keyboarding skills. Some of the courses in this curriculum may have additional prerequisites.
The ECC Medical Assistant Program is fully accredited by The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP - www.CAAHEP.org) - Upon the recommendation of medical assisting education review board (MAERB).
Accreditation
The ECC Medical Assistant Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
1361 Park Street
Clearwater, Florida 33756
727-210-2350
www.caahep.org
East Central College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
30 N. LaSalle St., Suite 2400
Chicago, Illinois 60602-2504
800-621-7440
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