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Hagerstown Community College / HCC

Academic Catalog

2017-2018 Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Medical Assistant, Certificate


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The Medical Assistant Certificate program is designated as a Health Manpower Shortage Program; therefore, some residents of Maryland enrolled in the Medical Assistant Certificate program 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: Certificate

Total Credit Hours: 34 credit hours

Purpose: This certificate program is designed for the student interested in an entry-­level position as a medical assistant in a medical office. The program provides lecture as well as competency­-based training in both administrative and clinical procedures. 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 certificate 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 must also have a current American Heart Association BLS Provider CPR certification. 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 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 Certificate Program in Medical Assisting 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 communications 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 to the Electronic Health Records 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 

Certificate Requirement (34 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 pre­-externship 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.

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