Medical Assistant Report

Great Bay Community College in partnership with Core Physicians and Wentworth-Douglass Physician Corp developed a twelve-week Medical Assistant Certificate program of 320 hours of classroom instruction, hands-on lab experiences and a 160-hour practicum at local medical offices. A list of "Frequently Asked Questions" addressing the appropriate training, supervision, and scope of practice issues, is available to assist members of the public and profession to understand the role of the medical assistant within the health care system.

The program takes six months for completion and includes studies in: medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, universal precautions and infection control, HIPAA regulations and clinical techniques (such as patient histories, performing 12-lead EKG and strip analysis, accurate blood pressure, heart rate, weight, etc.). Students will also cover studies in phlebotomy, pharmacology and use and administration of medications.

For the last five years Ivy Tech Community College works to assist all students in completing their chosen program on time, through our streamlined structured pathway that can be completed in as little as two days a week for three semesters (depending on college readiness).

Students who successfully complete the Medical Assistant program will be certified through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) and prepared to work in a variety of health care settings including doctor's offices, clinics, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities assisting doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals.

In addition, the program will teach pharmacology, first aid, medication administration, patient care and medical law and ethics. In 2016, there were 634,400 medical assistants in the U.S. workforce, but that number is expected to rise to 818,300 by 2026, representing a 29 percent increase.

While the role of medical assistants is often overlooked, they provide critical services in preparing patients for a physician's visit. Though each student can complete most of the coursework online, the program requires an in-person capstone practicum component.

Therefore, medical offices will always be around, subsequently, medical assistants will be needed to keep those offices up and running. The program wraps up with a 165-hour externship, allowing students to put their fresh skills to work at a clinical site.

The 57-credit curriculum, accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, teaches students clinical, lab, and medical office procedures. Furthermore, some certificate programs may require campus visits, which could affect program length.

The American Medical Technologist (AMT) offers the RMA (Registered Medical Assistant) examination. The medical assistant online degree also helps students develop skills in active listening, reading comprehension, and communication. Medical assistants must be able to understand and follow medical charts and diagnoses.

The future certainly seems to be beckoning Medical Assistant careers. To make an appointment concerning Allied Health Careers, please contact the Counseling Department at (708) 210-5724. Students must also take an Online Readiness Assessment and complete Online Orientation before starting the program.

Medical assistants working in physicians' offices help with administrative tasks like bookkeeping and clinical responsibilities. Students first master basic skills and competencies required for all general office work and then move on to more challenging and medically specific procedures.