One of the fastest growing medical-related fields in the country, Medical Assisting instruction combines skills for both the office environment and the medical setting. Multi-skilled health care professionals emerge from this program with skills in clinical and lab procedures as well as in administrative medical office management.

The Medical Assisting program is perfect for students who want to work in the field of medicine. A successful candidate should enjoy biology and other sciences and have a knack for computer technology. They should possess excellent people skills. Medical assistants help the doctor's office run more efficiently from two perspectives, office management and health care services.

Medical Assisting is set apart from other medical curriculums in that students learn both clerical and clinical work. They receive instruction in everything from scheduling appointments to administering medication. Specifically, students take classes in processing insurance accounts, billing, collections, medical examinations, lab procedures, electrocardiography, and more.

More than just bookwork, this curriculum offers hands-on learning activities in a simulated clinical environment. Students practice applying tourniquets, drawing blood, and testing samples. They are trained on the latest sterilization and centrifuge equipment. Designed with team effort in mind, this program creates an environment where students learn from each other.

In addition to classroom hours, students complete a 240-hour clinical externship to be eligible for graduation. The externship experience is one of the most beneficial components of the Medical Assisting curriculum.

Students in this program are also encouraged to participate in club activities including community service projects and trips to health fairs, job fairs, and medical assisting conventions.

The Medical Assisting Diploma Programs at Central Carolina Community College are accredited by:

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355 - 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
(727) 210-2350
www.caahep.org

Upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB). Graduates of CAAHEP accredited medical assisting program may be eligible to sit for the American Association of Medical Assistants' (AAMA) Certification Examination to become Certified Medical Assistants, CMA (AAMA).

American Association of Medical Assisting Endowment
20 N. Wacker Dr., Ste. 1575
Chicago, IL 60606
(312) 899-1500.
www.aama-ntl.org

Employment opportunities include physician's offices, health maintenance organizations, health departments, and hospitals.

The Medical Assisting program at Central Carolina Community College has an average five-year retention rate of 93.86% for the years 2018-2022. The five-year average for the exam passage rate for the years 2018-2022 is 79.76%

The salary range based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics states that Medical Assistants make between $26,930-$50,580 a year with "median annual wage for medical assistants was $35,850" (May 2020) Visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics website for further information.

The medical field continues to thrive no matter what economic conditions exist. Medical Assisting jobs are plentiful throughout the nation as well as locally, with a concentration in Lee, Chatham, Orange, Moore, Wake, Durham, Harnett and Cumberland counties.

You can become a part of one of the most stable, rapidly growing fields in the country. Enjoy flexible hours and new challenges with a career in Medical Assisting.

Students may obtain a two-year Associate's in Applied Science degree, or a one-year Diploma. The Medical Assisting program is offered during the day on the Harnett Main Campus and Chatham Main Campus during the first year, and online and evenings on the Lee Main Campus the second year.

Medical Assisting Program Mission

The mission of the Medical Assisting Curriculum is to prepare diploma and degree students for employment as multi-skilled health care professionals qualified to perform administrative, clinical, and/or laboratory procedures under the supervision of the physician. Course work includes instruction in scheduling appointments, coding, and processing insurance accounts, billing, collections, computer operations; assisting with examinations/treatments, performing routine laboratory procedures, electrocardiography, supervised medication administration; and ethical/legal issues associated with patient care.

What Students Learn

Students successfully completing the Medical Assisting Program will be able to:

• Display professional behaviors and practice within the ethical/legal framework as a Medical Assistant.
• Perform clinical procedures to include aseptic procedures, vital signs, prepare patients for examination, phlebotomy and non-intravenous injections, and observe and report patients' signs or symptoms
• Assist with patient examination or treatment
• Operate office medical equipment
• Collect routine laboratory specimens
• Administer medications by unit dosage
• Perform waived laboratory procedures
• Perform office procedures including all general administrative duties.
• Discuss the roles of the healthcare team members, elements of successful leadership, and problem-solving strategies.
• Describe medical terminology, including disease processes and pharmacology