Medical Assisting

Medical Assisting

A medical assistant, often a patient’s first contact with a caregiver, plays a crucial role in setting the tone and contributing to the success of the patient’s treatment. Medical assistants are multi-skilled practitioners who perform a wide range of administrative tasks, including greeting patients and using computers to make patient appointments, billing, and maintaining accurate medical records. Their clinical duties can include assisting with medical exams, conducting basic laboratory tests, drawing blood, EKGs, preparing patients for X-rays, giving medication, and assisting with minor office surgical procedures.

To become a certified medical assistant, you’ll take courses in clinical, laboratory and administrative procedures and professional development. Courses are sequenced to build skill level. SFCC’s accredited program prepares you to take the National Certification Exam, and readies you to work as an entry-level medical assistant in doctor’s offices, walk-in clinics, ambulatory centers and specialized areas in hospitals. Our Medical Assistant program is set to prepare medical assistants who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession. (Request information on Medical Assisting) The SFCC Medical Assisting Program has no articulation agreements available.

Medical assistants earn an annual median salary of $37,190. Employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 18 percent by 2030,  according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Application Process

To start the admission process, students who are interested, must have taken the following prerequisites and complete a separate Medical Assisting Application in addition to SFCC’s general application.

Prerequisites: These classes need to be completed before starting MAST courses:

MATH 1105 Foundations of Algebra (or demonstrated equivalent placement scores.)

HLCR 113  Medical Terminology

AHAC 151 Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (this course cannot be expired while in the program.

Recommended to be taken prior to the MAST courses:

PSYC 1110 Introduction to Psychology

MAST 111 Intravenous (IV) Therapy Training

An English course may be recommended by your advisor, because of the comprehensive language and terminology of this program. This will help develop students’ communication and academic writing skills. This is needed to prepare you for the technical proficiency language in preparation for national certification testing as well as successful communication in both a college setting and with potential employers.

Medical Assisting Program Outcomes

• Retention Rate (2019-2023): 60%
• Job Placement Rate for Graduates (2019-2023): 60% (5-year average)
• Employer Satisfaction Rate (2019-2023): 80%