Mission Statement
It is the mission of the medical assisting program to prepare students for employment in a variety of positions in today's medical offices, incorporating learning opportunities which introduce, develop, and reinforce academic and occupational knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement.
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Certification
The Medical Assisting program is certified by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT), 7007 College Boulevard, Suite 250, Overland Park, KS 66211.
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Work Environment
Medical assistants work in well-lighted, clean environments. They constantly interact with other people and may have to handle several responsibilities at once. Most full-time medical assistants work a regular 40-hour week. However, medical assistants may work part time, evenings, or weekends.
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Nature of the Work
Medical assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks in the offices of physicians, and other health practitioners. The duties of medical assistants vary from office to office, depending on the location and size of the practice and the practitioner's specialty. In small practices, medical assistants usually do many different kinds of tasks by handling both administrative and clinical duties. Those in large practices tend to specialize in a particular area. Medical assistants should not be confused with physician assistants who examine, diagnose, and treat patients under the direct supervision of a physician.
Administrative medical assistants update and file patients' medical records, fill out insurance forms, and arrange for hospital admissions and laboratory services. They also perform administrative tasks such as answering telephones, greeting patients, handling correspondence, scheduling appointments, maintaining electronic medical records, and handling billing and bookkeeping. Clinical medical assistants have various duties, depending on state law. Some common tasks include taking medical histories and recording vital signs, explaining treatment procedures to patients, preparing patients for examinations, and assisting physicians during examinations.
Medical assistants collect and prepare laboratory specimens and sometimes perform basic laboratory tests, dispose of contaminated supplies, and sterilize medical instruments. As directed by a physician, they might instruct patients about medications and special diets, prepare and administer medications, authorize drug refills, telephone prescriptions to a pharmacy, draw blood, prepare patients for x-rays, take electrocardiograms, remove sutures, and change dressings. Medical assistants also may arrange examining room instruments and equipment, purchase and maintain supplies and equipment, and keep waiting and examining rooms neat and clean.
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Employment
Medical assistants held about 483,600 jobs nationally in 2008. About 62 percent worked in offices of physicians; 13 percent worked in public and private hospitals, including inpatient and outpatient facilities; and 11 percent worked in offices of other health practitioners, such as chiropractors and optometrists. Most of the remainder worked in other healthcare industries, such as outpatient care centers and nursing and residential care facilities. Employment of medical assistants is expected to grow 34 percent from 2008 to 2018.
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Earnings
The earnings of medical assistants vary, depending on their experience, skill level, and location. Median annual wages nationally of wage-and-salary medical assistants were $28,300 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $23,700 and $33,050. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $20,600, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $39,570. Median annual wages in the industries employing the largest numbers of medical assistants in May 2008 were:
- General medical and surgical hospitals-$29,720
- Colleges, universities, and professional schools-$28,820
- Offices of physicians-$28,710
- Outpatient care centers-$28,570
- Offices of other health practitioners-$24,240
Source: U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011 Edition (http://www.bls.gov/oco/)
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Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the diploma program in Medical Assisting will be able to complete the following tasks:
- Demonstrate administrative medical office knowledge and skills
- Demonstrate clinical medical office knowledge and skills
- Demonstrate the traits required to be a competent member of the medical office healthcare team
- Demonstrate the personal and professional ethics and interpersonal skills that are expected in the workplace
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Program Expenses
The Higher Education Act requires all colleges to notify students and prospective students of all program costs for which they will be responsible. Students will be responsible for the following expenses each semester (unless otherwise noted):
- Tuition ($75 per credit hour)
- Registration fee ($39)
- Student activity fees ($30)
- Accident insurance fee ($6)
- Instructional and technology supply fee ($55)
- Background check (Approximately $40 per required check)
- Malpractice insurance ($11 per year)
- Program supply fee (Varies - see course descriptions for exact amounts)
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification ($60 unless obtained in ALHS 1040)
- Immunizations
- Hepatitis B ($200)
- Mumps, Measles, Rubella ($25-$40)
- Varicella ($25-$40)
- Tetanus ($25-$40)
- Tuberculosis skin test ($25-$40)
- Physical examination (Approximately $100)
- Textbooks (Approximately $400-$500 for entire program)
- Uniforms (Approximately $250)
- Stethoscope ($25)
- Watch with second hand ($40)
These expenses are based on costs in effect at the time this catalog was published. Prices are subject to change.
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Gainful Employment
Information on graduation rates, job placement rates, median loan debt incurred by students and other gainful employment information is available on the college website.
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Admission Requirements
To receive consideration for admission to the Medical Assisting program, applicants must be 17 years of age, be in good academic standing, and submit the following information to the Admissions Office by May 15 for Fall Semester admission and October 15 for Spring Semester admission:
- Completed and signed application for admission and a $20 nonrefundable application fee
- Official high school or GED transcripts and/or official college transcripts from all colleges attended in the past (see General Admission Requirements)
- Valid COMPASS, ASSET, SAT, or ACT test scores (see COMPASS and ASSET Placement Tests)
- NLN Pre-admission PN Examination scores of no less than the 60th percentile that are less than five years old on the application deadline date (see Selective Admission Examinations)
- Documentation of completion of all general and health core classes with a grade of C or better
- Completed and signed Intent form and technical standards form (blank forms are available in the Admissions Office and online at www.athenstech.edu/oldcatalog/programsofstudy.cfm - select Selective Admissions Forms)
Students on academic probation or academic dismissal at the time of selection are ineligible for admission to the Medical Assisting program. The number of students admitted to this program is limited. Acceptance into the program is determined by the availability of space, students' NLN Pre-admission PN Examination scores, and their completion of all general and health core classes.
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Readmission Policy
If students withdraw from the program for any reason, they must follow the steps detailed under Life Sciences Programs Readmission. In addition, students seeking readmission will abide by all policies and procedures in place at the time of their request for readmission.
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Residency Policy
Only in the event that the program slots cannot be filled with Georgia residents who meet the minimum admissions criteria can out-of-state students be admitted to the Medical Assisting program.
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Essential Functions
The purpose of the technical standards list is to allow prospective students who are considering a career to be informed of the physical, emotional, and psychological demands related to training and employment in a field of study. These lists are provided to allow prospective students to make informed career choices by providing them with a summary of the physical abilities and personality traits that are generally required for the successful completion of a curriculum and result in employment in their field of study after graduation.
According to the nature of the work required in the Medical Assisting program, students must be able to perform the following technical standards:
Physical Standards
- Lift and carry equipment weighing up to 50 pounds, support and assist patients in and out of a wheelchair, and assist patients on and off of examination tables (up to 25 percent of the workday is spent lifting equipment and patients)
- Push a patient weighing 200 pounds in a wheelchair
- Kneel, bend, stoop, and/or crouch to perform CPR, assist patients, and retrieve items from cabinets located below waist level
- Bend, reach above shoulders, and/or twist to position examination table, adjust equipment, or obtain supplies
- Have fine motor dexterity in order to grasp with both hands, pinch with thumb or forefinger, manipulate equipment and delicate instruments such as microscopes and sphygmomanometers, perform tasks such as phlebotomy and electrocardiography, draw up and administer medications, handle small containers of potentially biohazardous specimens, use sample measuring devices such as capillary tubes, set up and maintain a sterile field, put on personal protective equipment, operate controls on instruments and equipment, talk on the telephone and write simultaneously, and operate multi-line telephone systems, computer keyboards, and ten-key adding machines
Tactile Standards
- Palpate pulses, muscle contractions, bony landmarks and edema
- Differentiate between temperature and pressure variations
Auditory Standards
- Have adequate auditory perception to receive verbal communication from patients and other members of the healthcare team either in person or over the telephone
- Hear heart sounds, blood pressure sounds, and patient distress sounds to assess health needs of patients
- Hear instrument timers and alarms
- Hear over the telephone, paging systems, or intercoms in order to communicate with patients and other members of the healthcare team
Communication Standards
- Have adequate communication skills (verbal, non-verbal, and written) to interact effectively with individuals
- Speak in the English language in a clear, concise manner in order to communicate with patients (such as interviewing and taking patient history, obtaining chief complaint, and providing patient education regarding treatment plans, disease prevention, or health maintenance), families, healthcare providers, other members of the healthcare team, and the community
- Comprehend oral and written language including medical terminology in order to communicate with patients, families, healthcare providers, other members of the healthcare team, and the community
- Write in English clearly and legibly in order to document information in medical records, complete forms, and initiate written communication
Mental/Cognitive Standards
- Have sufficient intellectual and emotional functions to plan and implement the duties of a medical assistant in a responsible manner
- Function safely, responsibly, and effectively under stressful situations
- Remain alert to surroundings and potential emergencies
- Interact effectively and appropriately with patients, families, and coworkers
- Display attitudes and actions consistent with ethical standards of medical assisting
- Maintain composure while managing and prioritizing multiple tasks
- Communicate an understanding of the principles of confidentiality, respect, tact, politeness, collaboration, teamwork, and discretion
- Handle difficult interpersonal situations in a calm and tactful manner
- Remain calm, rational, decisive, and in control at all times, especially during emergency situations
- Maintain cleanliness and personal grooming consistent with close personal contact
- Function without causing harm to others if under the influence of prescription or over-the-counter medication
- Function without causing harm to others, including situations that may result from any mental or physical conditions
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