Mission/Purpose

In keeping with the college’s mission, the purpose of the Medical Assisting program is to:

• Establish a firm base of knowledge in general education, medical science, and medical office routines which provides entry-level competencies in the fundamental concepts and theories applicable to medical assisting practices and procedures.
• Engender the development of skills in clerical/administrative, clinical, and laboratory/technical areas pertinent to entry-level competencies of a medical assistant and the needs of the community and employment market.
• Foster the growth of students into competent medical assisting professionals who will demonstrate superior principles of legal, ethical, and moral integrity.
• Expect and provide for the continued professional development of the medical assisting faculty to assure excellence in the program’s curriculum.

Role of the Medical Assistant in Health Care Delivery

Medical Assistants are multiskilled allied health professionals specifically trained to work in ambulatory settings, such as physicians’ offices, clinics, and group practices, performing administrative and clinical procedures. The Medical Assisting program is established based upon the Standards and Guidelines for Medical Assisting Educational Programs (2003 Revisions) which emphasizes a competency-based skills, as well as general knowledge. Student competencies are validated through performance on written and practical exams, skills performance assessments, and a clinical internship. Graduates of the program are prepared to assist physicians in examining and treating patients, performing laboratory testing, and managing the administrative and clinical responsibilities associated with efficient physician office operations. The curriculum does not train students for employment in medical laboratories in the state of Tennessee or any other state.

Program Requirements

All students enrolled in the Medical Assisting program at South College must recognize that various occupational hazards exist in the medical laboratory and the clinical setting. All Medical Assisting students are responsible for understanding the health requirements and the general safety procedures and precautions. Throughout the training, strict adherence to OSHA guidelines and standard precautions is mandated and observed. In compliance with these guidelines and precautions, all Medical Assisting students are required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment as indicated.

Students will be required, during the course of the program, to demonstrate their physical and/or emotional fitness to meet the essential requirements of the program. These requirements include maintaining a state of good health, achieving a comprehensive knowledge base (cognitive ability), achieving procedural proficiency (psychomotor skills), and demonstrating suitable behavioral and emotional fitness (affective domain). Any appraisal measures used to determine such physical and/or emotional fitness will be in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the American with Disabilities Act of 1990. A student should notify the Department Chairperson is he or she has a communicable disease. This disclosure will be handled in strict confidence and used to assure safe lab conditions. Hepatitis B vaccination and/or immunization verification is recommended.

Students applying to the Medical Assisting program must accept the following:

1. Eligibility for the Certification Examination may be denied by the AAMA Certifying Board if the applicant for the CMA credential has been found guilty of a felony or pleaded guilty to a felony.

2. Failure to produce proof of the following may severely limit internship placement (possibly increasing the overall length of the program) and future employment options:

• Negative TB testb.
• Hepatitis B vaccination or waiver.
• Health release to participate in clinical internships/physician’s certification that student is in good healthd.
• Other immunizations, such as MMRe.
• CPR and first aid training

All medical assisting students are required to complete a 200-hour unpaid, supervised internship at a local medical practice weekdays during the last quarter of their program. Students will be required to meet all health guidelines and dress code policies of the affiliating agencies. Prior to the beginning of AHS 2980 Medical Assisting Internship, students will be required to undergo a physical exam/health verification and to be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid. Students are responsible for costs incurred from injury or illness while in the Medical Assisting program. Fees charged to cover physical exams, immunizations, and CPR/First Aid Certification are the responsibility of the student.

Accreditation

The Medical Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org), 35 East Wacker Drive, Suite 1970, Chicago, IL 60601-2208, (312) 553-9355, upon the recommendation of the Medical Assistants Education Review Board (MAERB).

Certification Credential

Although there is no state licensure for medical assistants, as a graduate of a CAAHEP accredited program, students are qualified to take the AAMA (American Association of Medical Assistants) Certification Exam, which is given three times annually. The CMA (Certified Medical Assistant) credential is awarded to qualified individuals who pass the AAMA Certification Exam. While the certification exam is strictly voluntary, graduates who successfully complete the exam are demonstrating the mark of a professional and the ability to competently perform clinical and administrative duties in a medical office. The distinction of being a Certified Medical Assistant is a credential many physician-employers are seeking and requiring.