Home > Academics > Programs of Study > Medical Assisting
Medical Assistant
Medical Assistant
Medical Coding
Medical Secretary
Phlebotomy
General Information
Our nationally accredited Medical Assistant program emphasizes the skills and knowledge needed to obtain employment in doctors' offices, clinics, insurance companies, and other medical facilities. This exciting and challenging program offers all major clerical and clinical courses in the student's first year. Students may choose the professional certificate program, where they will complete a summer internship following their first two semesters, or the degree program, where they will receive advanced clinical procedures, learn how to interact with people of different cultures, and complete their internship during their second year.
Graduates of the Medical Assistant program are trained to work under the direction of physicians to provide quality health care, including patient intake, taking vital signs, giving injections, administering EKGs, drawing blood and assisting the physician with patient exams, clinical procedures, and office surgeries. Administrative training includes scheduling appointments, processing insurance claims, posting
insurance/patient payments, and completing physician referrals.
Both degree and certificate programs are competency-based so that graduates are comprehensively prepared to enter any medical office with confidence. Graduates of both programs are eligible to sit for the national certification exam for medical assistants.
The Medical Assistant is an integral member of the health care team and serves as the liaison between the patient and the physician. It is therefore imperative that students possess the ability to read, write, and orally communicate at the college level.
Program Outcomes
- Demonstrate competence in both administrative and clinical skills.
- Incorporate knowledge, judgment, and skills to perform the duties of a medical assistant safely and competently.
- Demonstrate a standard of work ethic and practice behaviors that reflect a professional and caring attitude.
- Recognize the value of professional certification and a commitment to professional development and lifelong learning.
Admissions Requirements
In addition to college-wide admission requirements, students in the Medical Assistant program must possess verifiable keyboarding skills at 30-35 CWPM before taking ADMIN122. Students who do not possess verifiable touch keyboarding skills of 30-35 cwpm must take ADMN111 Keyboarding I prior to ADMN122 Executive Keyboarding.
- Interview with a member of the full-time faculty to determine appropriateness for admission to the program.
- Placement into College Composition I based on Accuplacer scores before registering for any AH or MEDA courses.
- Must demonstrate reading, writing, and listening comprehension competencies in the English language as well as the ability to speak
English clearly and correctly. Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum score of 61 (internet-based), 173 (computer-based) or 500 (paper-based) is required for
admission.
Technical Standards
- Have good manual dexterity.
- Have normal vision for reading instructions and instruments.
- Have the ability to stand for extended periods of time.
- Have access to transportation to and from internship sites.
Other Program Criteria
- Possess professional liability insurance for clinical classes and internship (available at the college).
- Possess and maintain personal health insurance for clinical classes and internship.
- Submit a report of a current physical exam, including vaccination status, up-to-date tetanus booster, TB test, Hepatitis B series and
documentation of chicken pox or varicella vaccine prior to registering for Clinical Lab Procedures I.
- Be CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer (American Red Cross or American Heart Association equivalent) and First Aid certified prior to Clinical Lab Procedures I.
- All MEDA and AH courses must be taken within three years of Medical Assistant Internship.
- Associate Degree students must enroll in MEDA218 Clinical Lab Procedures II immediately following MEDA125 Clinical Lab Procedures I. MEDA223 Medical Assistant Internship must immediately follow MEDA218 Clinical Lab Procedures II.
- Students who place in MATH 070 or MATH080 based on the Accuplacer test must successfully complete MATH080 before enrolling
in MEDA123 Introduction to Pharmacology and MEDA125 Clinical Lab Procedures I.
- Students who do not possess verifiable touch keyboarding skills of 30-35 cwpm must take ADMN111 Keyboarding I prior to ADMN122
Executive Keyboarding.
Job Opportunities
According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, “employment of medical assistants is expected to grow 35 percent from 2006 to 2016, much faster than average for all occupations…particularly for those with formal training or experience, and certification.”
Manchester Community College has an outstanding placement rate for program graduates. Employer surveys document a high level of
competency in our medical assistants, and our graduates have an exemplary record of passing the national certification exam.
Medical Assistant Degree Program
NOTE: Associate Degree students must enroll in MEDA218 Clinical Lab Procedures II immediately following MEDA125 Clinical Lab Procedures I. MEDA223 Medical Assistant Internship must immediately follow MEDA218 Clinical Lab Procedures II. Students who place in MATH070 or MATH080 based on the Accuplacer test must complete that course before enrolling in MEDA123 Introduction to Pharmacology.
First Year |
| Fall Semester | TH | LAB | CR |
| ADMN122 |
Executive Keyboarding |
2 |
2 |
3 |
| AH110 |
Medical Terminology |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| BIOL106 |
Human Body |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| BIOL107 |
Human Body Lab |
0 |
2 |
1 |
| PSYC110 |
Introduction to Psychology |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| INT101 |
College Success Seminar |
1 |
0 |
1 |
| |
Total |
12 |
4 |
14 |
| Spring Semester | TH | LAB | CR |
| MEDA122 |
Medical Office Procedures |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| MEDA123 |
Introduction to Pharmacology |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| MEDA124 |
Insurance for the Medical Office |
4 |
0 |
4 |
| MEDA125 |
Clinical Lab Procedures I |
2 |
6 |
4 |
| MEDA126 |
Medical Law and Ethics |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| |
Total |
15 |
6 |
17 |
SECOND YEAR |
| Fall Semester | TH | LAB | CR |
| MEDA218 |
Clinical Lab Procedures II |
2 |
3 |
3 |
| AH200 |
Transcultural Health Care |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| ENGL110 |
College Composition I |
4 |
0 |
4 |
| MATH131 |
College Algebra I |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| |
Foreign Language/Humanities/Fine Arts Elective |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| |
Total |
15 |
3 |
16 |
| Spring Semester | TH | LAB | CR |
| MEDA223 |
Medical Assistant Internship |
0 |
12 |
4 |
| MEDA225 |
Internship Seminar |
1 |
0 |
1 |
| |
English Elective |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| |
Liberal Arts Elective |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| |
Liberal Arts Elective |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| AH115 |
Phlebotomy |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| |
Total |
13 |
12 |
17 |
Total Credits - 64
Medical Assistant Professional Certificate
NOTE: Professional Certificate students must be enrolled in MEDA223 Medical Assistant Internship immediately following MEDA125 Clinical Lab Procedures I. Students who place in MATH070 or MATH080 based on the Accuplacer test must complete that course prior to enrollment in MEDA123 Introduction to Pharmacology.
Other Program Criteria
- Professional Certificate students must be enrolled in MEDA223 Medical Assistant Internship immediately following MEDA125 Clinical Lab Procedures I.
- Students who place in MATH 070 or MATH080 based on the Accuplacer test must successfully complete MATH080 before enrolling
in MEDA123 Introduction to Pharmacology and MEDA125 Clinical Lab Procedures I.
- Students who do not possess verifiable touch keyboarding skills of 30-35 cwpm must take ADMN111 Keyboarding I prior to ADMN122
Executive Keyboarding.
| | TH | LAB | CR |
| MEDA122 | Medical Office Procedures | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| MEDA123 | Introduction to Pharmacology | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| MEDA124 | Insurance for the Medical Office | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| MEDA125 | Clinical Lab Procedures I | 2 | 6 | 4 |
| MEDA126 | Medical Law and Ethics | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| MEDA223 | Medical Assistant Internship | 0 | 12 | 4 |
| MEDA225 | Internship Seminar | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| ADMN122 | Executive Keyboarding | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| AH110 | Medical Terminology | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| BIOL106 | Human Body | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| BIOL107 | Human Body Lab | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| ENGL110 | College Composition I | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| INT101 | College Success Seminar | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| PSYC110 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| AH115 | Phlebotmy | 3 | 0 | 3 |
Total Credits - 43
Medical Coding Certificate
Health care in the United States has undergone unprecedented changes in the recent past and even more changes are imminent. These changes have created an overwhelming and unmet demand for qualified medical coders. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a 51% increase in the need for medical coders during the next five years. This national shortage has increased the salary for the coding occupations, and salaries will continue to rise in the future. In addition to medical reimbursement, coding is used for planning and research, to track diseases, and by hospital administrators to determine if hospital facilities are being used effectively and meet the needs of the community.
Medical coding requires the coder to abstract information from the patient record and combine it with their knowledge of reimbursement and coding guidelines to optimize physician payment. This coding curriculum will train participants to code for medical offices, clinics, mental health facilities, and hospitals. Successful completion of this certificate will prepare you to sit for the national Certified Coding Specialist exam.
| | TH | LAB | CR |
| MCOD100 |
ICD-9-CM Coding |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| MCOD110 |
CPT Coding |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| MCOD215 |
Health Information Serv. Coding |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| AH110 |
Medical Terminology |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| BIOL106 |
Human Body |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| MEDA124 |
Insurance for the Medical Office |
4 |
0 |
4 |
| BIOL112 |
Basic Pathophysiology Theory |
3 |
0 |
3 |
Total Credits - 22
NOTE: MCOD100 and MCOD215 are only offered in the spring semester; MCOD110 is only offered in the fall semester; please plan accordingly.
Medical Secretary Certificate
Medical secretaries perform a variety of tasks necessary to make an office operate smoothly. They are responsible for scheduling patient appointments, completing referrals for inpatient/outpatient procedures, keeping patient charts updated, accepting and documenting payments, processing insurance claims, typing correspondence, and interacting with health care facilities on a routine basis.
This certificate program provides the essentials needed to work in a medical office. Students will build a strong foundation of medical terminology, human anatomy, and prescription drugs before continuing on to courses requiring their application. Computer courses/applications and will prepare graduates to feel comfortable with all types of secretarial duties associated with a doctor's office, hospital, or insurance company.
| | TH | LAB | CR |
| MEDA122 |
Medical Office Procedures |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| MEDA123 |
Introduction to Pharmacology |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| MEDA124 |
Insurance for the Medical Office |
4 |
0 |
4 |
| ADMN111 |
Keyboarding I |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| ADMN122 |
Executive Keyboarding |
2 |
2 |
3 |
| AH110 |
Medical Terminology |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| BIOL106 |
Human Body |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| CIS110 |
Introduction to Computers |
2 |
2 |
3 |
| ENGL110 |
College Composition I |
4 |
0 |
4 |
| CSI221 |
Advanced Word Processing |
2 |
2 |
3 |
Total Credits - 32
Phlebotomy Certificate
Phlebotomists (PBT) are essential members of the health care delivery team who are primarily responsible for collecting blood specimens from patients for laboratory testing. Qualified phlebotomists may be employed in hospital laboratories, private laboratories, doctors' offices, clinics, emergency rooms or blood donor centers.
Classroom learning is combined with a 120-hour internship that is performed in a clinical laboratory or other health care facility to provide the skills required of a certified phlebotomist. Fine motor skills and some mobility are required for students to successfully perform in most clinical facilities: drawing patient's blood in the inpatient and outpatient settings, processing specimens including operating mechanical and computerized equipment, and performing clerical duties. Good communication skills are critical in dealing with patients, clients, physicians, nurses, and other health care workers. Internships are limited and offered as sites become available. Students must have complete documentation of physical exam, immunization records, TB testing, and health insurance coverage prior to registering for AH135 Phlebotomy Internship. Students who participate in the internship must make themselves available on a full-time basis for three 40-hour weeks. There are no evening or weekend internships.
Applicants for the Phlebotomy Program must satisfy the general requirements for admission to the College. Student's health status must be compatible with the skills of PBT.
Students who successfully complete this program are qualified for immediate employment at independent labs, hospitals, clinics, and are eligible to sit for a national certification examination offered by several professional organizations.
To help ensure success in the phlebotomy course, all students must take the Accuplacer placement test and meet reading level standards prior to registering for Phlebotomy, AH 115.
Technical Standards
Applicants must:
- Have good manual dexterity.
- Be able to stand on their feet for extended periods of time.
- Have normal vision for reading instructions and labeling of specimens.
- Be able to communicate well verbally and understand verbal instructions.
- Possess and maintain personal health insurance.
- Possess professional liability insurance for both the class and the internship (available at the college).
- Submit a report of a current physical exam and have on file immunity to measles, mumps and rubella, negative Mantoux test for TB (within one year) and proof of receipt of hepatitis B vaccine series or signed waiver.
- Have transportation: transportation to and from internship site is the responsibility of the student.
| | TH | LAB | CR |
| AH115 |
Phlebotomy |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| AH135 |
Phlebotomy Internship |
0 |
9 |
3 |
Total Credits - 6