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Hagerstown Community College / HCC

Academic Catalog

2017-2018 Catalog 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
2017-2018 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Medical Assistant, A.A.S.


The Medical Assistant program is designated as a Health Manpower Shortage Program; therefore, some residents of Maryland enrolled in this program of study on the first day of the term may be eligible for in-county tuition rates for courses required for program completion. 

Career Programs Building, Room 170B

Award: Associate of Applied Science degree, A.A.S.

Total Credit Hours: 60 credit hours

Purpose: This is a career-oriented program that prepares students to work primarily in ambulatory care settings under the direction of a physician. The program is comprised of clinical and non­-clinical components, with lecture as well as competency-­based experiences in performing administrative and clinical procedures. General education and program requirements are designed for students interested in pursuing management positions within physician offices. There is also a non­-compensated externship experience in which students work in an actual ambulatory care setting. Externship hours are scheduled during the day, Monday through Friday. Externship sites may have their own requirements that students must meet prior to their externship experience. Medical assistant degree students must maintain a grade of “C” or better in all program courses. Students may be required to repeat MAP and/or PLB courses, based upon the time sequence when these program courses were completed. Prior to externships, students must provide appropriate health examination record(s) and all required tests and immunizations, along with a urine drug screen and criminal background checks. Prior criminal records may prohibit students from program externship and employment opportunities. Students who do not academically pass their externship course or who are asked to leave their externship site, may be recommended for dismissal from the course and/or program.

Students must also have a current American Heart Association BLS Provider CPR certification. Students who successfully complete the program are eligible to sit for the American Medical Technologists, Registered Medical Assistant, or the Registered Phlebotomy Technician national certification exams in medical assisting. *

Curriculum: The curriculum is divided into areas of study consisting of lecture, laboratory, and clinical experiences.  Content areas of the curriculum include anatomy and physiology, information technology, medical office management, diagnostic laboratory procedures, phlebotomy, communications, and professional ethics.

Program Outcomes: Graduates of the Associate of Applied Science degree in Medical Assistant will be able to:

  1. Provide appropriate patient care with respect for diverse cultures, values and beliefs.
  2. Competently perform routine medical assisting procedures.
  3. Utilize appropriate standard precautions.
  4. Exhibit professionalism in all communication and encounters with patients and the health care team.
  5. Make critical decisions appropriate for the medical assistant.
  6. Practice within the ethical and legal framework of the profession.

Admission Requirements: Admission to HCC does not guarantee admission into the Medical Assistant program. The requirements below must be completed and submitted to the Office of Admissions, Records, and Registration before the first day of class. 

  1. Official transcripts from all colleges attended.
  2. College placement tests in mathematics, English and reading.
  3. Completion of MAT 099 and ENG 100, or satisfactory results on placement tests.
  4. A minimum cumulative grade point average for all college coursework of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  5. Foreign education students must have their college and high school transcripts evaluated by World Education Services (WES).

Fact Sheet: 

Program Pathway

First Year Fall   First Year Spring
Course Number Course Name Credits   Course Number Course Name Credits
ENG 101 English Composition 3   MAT 101
or
MAT 114 
or
MAT 109
College Algebra
or
Introduction to Applied Algebra                                               or
Introduction to Statistics
3
BIO 116 Human Anatomy and Physiology for Allied Health 4   ENG 102
or
SPD 108
Composition and Literature
or
Introduction Human Communication
3
SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology 3   MAP 105 Medical Office Management 4
MAP 110 Introduction to Health Science Professions and Technology       3   MAP 108 Medical Records Analysis and Coding 3
MAP 102 Medical Terminology 3   PLB 105 Phlebotomy 3
TOTAL   16   TOTAL   16
Second Year Fall   Second Year Spring
Course Number Course Name Credits   Course Number Course Name Credits
Elective  Choose in consultation with an Advisor 2   Gen Ed Diversity 3
PLB 106 Phlebotomy Clinical Externship 3   Gen Ed Arts/Humanities 3
MGT 103 Principles of Management 3   PSY 101 General Psychology 3
MAP 210 Clinical Medical Assistant                                                   4   MAP 217 Medical Assistant Externship 4
MAP 205 Diagnostic Laboratory Procedures for the Medical Assistant 3        
TOTAL   15   TOTAL   13

 

General Education Requirements (22 Credits)


Arts/Humanities


Behavioral/Social Sciences


Biological/Physical Science


Diversity


English


Free Electives (2 Credits)


  • Please select two credits of Free Electives. Electives should be selected in consultation with an Advisor. 

Degree Requirement (60 Credits)


Additional Program Requirements


Criminal Background Checks


All students who are offered admission to the Medical Assistant program will be required to submit to fingerprinting and a complete criminal background check.  Based on the results of the fingerprinting and complete criminal background check, students may be ineligible for enrollment in the program.

Externship Site Placement


Student placement in externship sites is determined at a designed semester.  Misconduct in the assigned externship site may result in loss of externship placement and/or recommendation for program dismissal.

Technical Standards


There are technical standards and skill requirements which students are expected to possess and demonstrate in order to be successful in this program. More information on these standards can be found on the Web page for this program.

Phlebotomy Pre-Externship Review


Students who do not complete the phlebotomy externship (PLB 106 ) in the semester immediately following completion of the Phlebotomy course (PLB 105), will be required to enroll in the phlebotomy pre­externship review course (PLB 107 ). This one­ credit hybrid course will be a review of both didactic and clinical material to ensure that the student has not lost skills from lack of practice prior to being sent to an externship site.

*Note


* In order to sit for the American Medical Technologists, Registered Medical Assistant, or Registered Phlebotomy Technician national certification exams in medical assisting, graduates must have proof of High School diploma or G.E.D.

*PLB 107 Phlebotomy Pre-Externship Review  
Prerequisite: PLB 105  
(1 credit)
This course reviews the fundamentals of phlebotomy for students who do not complete their externship (PLB 106   in the semester immediately following their phlebotomy class (PLB 105 ). Course content includes review of venipuncture techniques, equipment, infection control, professionalism in the workplace, and legal and regulatory issues. Phlebotomy techniques will be performed on artificial venipuncture arms with clinical competency assessed.  Medical scrubs are required. Course fee required. Students must receive a grade of “C” or better to proceed to externship, PLB 106   Total of 15 contact hours.