Medical Assistant

This comprehensive program is designed to provide students with the skills and procedures necessary to become an effective Medical Assistant. This program prepares students to perform various administrative duties, including answering telephones, greeting patients, updating and filing patient medical records, filling out insurance forms, handling correspondence, scheduling appointments, arranging for hospital admission and laboratory services, and handling billing and coding. Other topics include: taking medical histories and recording vital signs, explaining treatment procedures to patients, preparing patients for examination, assisting during diagnostic examinations, collecting and preparing laboratory specimens or performing basic laboratory tests onsite, disposing of contaminated supplies, and sterilizing medical instruments. Students will be instructed on how to inform patients about medications and special diets, prepare and administer medications as directed, authorize drug refills as directed, telephone prescriptions to a pharmacy, draw blood, prepare patients for X-rays, perform electrocardiograms, remove sutures, and change dressings.

Entrance Requirements: Completion of a Medical Assistant Application, an unofficial copy of a High School diploma or equivalency (GED or HiSET), a copy of a valid driver’s license or government issued ID, a copy of a social security card, and a copy of a current Basic Life Support CPR Certification through the American Heart Association.

Required Immunizations: The immunizations listed below are not required by WCJC to attend the college; however, they are required by all clinical facilities in order to attend and successfully complete the program. MMR (proof of two (2) vaccines or blood work showing immunity), Hepatitis B Series (proof of all three (3) vaccines or blood work showing immunity), Varicella (proof of two (2) vaccines or blood work showing immunity), Tetanus (must be within the last 10 years and valid through the whole program), TB Skin Test (must be the skin test or x-ray showing negative and within 60 days of the first day of class), proof of Flu Vaccine (must be from the current flu season) or Vaccine Exemption Letter, and COVID-19 Vaccine. All immunization records must be received no later than one (1) week prior to the start of the program.

Materials Needed: Textbooks will be included in the cost of tuition. Students are responsible for the purchase of scrubs (top and bottoms), non-skid shoes (tennis shoes are acceptable), watch with a second hand, and stethoscope.

Clinical Information: This program concludes with students completing an 80-hour hands-on clinical rotation. Students will be allowed to choose their own clinical site to complete administrative and clinical tasks in the offices of physicians, hospitals, or other healthcare facilities. Please be aware that additional expenses may arise during clinical rotations.

Certification Information: Upon completion, students are urged to sit for the National Healthcareer Association’s (NHA) Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) examination at an additional cost.