Medical Assisting

Before you enter the program, it is recommended to complete the following classes:

• Completion with grade of “C” or better or concurrent enrollment in HSCI 3
• Advisory: Completion of BIOL 55 or BIO 5 and BIO 6 with grade(s) of “C” or better

These are the essential functions required of ALL medical assisting students:

Motor Capability

1. Move from room to room and maneuver in small places.
2. Transfer patients who may require physical assistance.
3. Guard and assist patients with ambulation.
4. Lift and carry 20-30 pounds.
5. Squat, bend/stoop, reach above shoulder level, kneel, use standing balance and climb stairs.
6. Use hands repetitively; use manual dexterity.
7. Adjust, apply and clean therapeutic equipment.
8. Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
9. Travel to and from academic and clinical sites.
10. In the average clinical day, students sit 1-2 hours, stand 6-7 hours and travel 1-2 hours.

Sensory Capability

1. Coordinate verbal and manual instruction.
2. Assess a client 10 feet away to observe a client’s posture and respond to treatment.
3. Respond to a timer, alarm or cries for help.
4. Monitor vital signs.
5. Hearing, visual and tactile ability sufficient to assess patient status and perform treatments. Examples: color changes in skin, hear heart or lung sounds.

Communication Ability

1. Communicate effectively in English with patients, families and other health care providers, both verbally and in writing. Examples: explain treatment procedures, teach patient and families, and document in medical records.
2. Effectively adapt communication for intended audience.
3. Interact, establish rapport with individuals, families and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds.
4. Assume the role of a health care team member.
5. Function effectively under supervision.

Problem Solving Ability

1. Function effectively under stress.
2. Test taking within predefined time constraints.
3. Respond appropriately to emergencies.
4. Adhere to infection control procedures.
5. Demonstrate problem-solving skills in client care (measure, calculate, reason, prioritize and synthesize data).
6. Use sound judgment and safety precautions.
7. Address problems or questions to the appropriate person at the appropriate time.
8. Organize and prioritize tasks.
9. Follow policies and procedures required by clinical and academic settings.

To be a medical assistant, you should:

• Have great verbal and written communication skills (bilingual desired)
• Work well both independently and in a team
• Follow directions, multi-task and observe details well
• Be comfortable using a computer
• Have strong math skills

Graduates receive administrative and clinical training in a variety of areas, including, but not limited to:

Administrative Duties 

• Scheduling appointments
• Maintaining medical records
• Answering phones
• Greeting patients
• Arranging for hospital admissions and lab services
• Coding and filling out insurance forms

Clinical Duties

• Taking and recording vital signs and medical histories
• Preparing patients for exams
• Explaining treatment procedures to patients
• Collecting blood and other lab specimens
• Assisting the doctor during exams
• Drawing blood
• Removing sutures and changing dressings