PROFESSIONAL DESCRIPTION

Medical Assistants have always played a role in physicians' offices, clinics, and other facilities where health care services are offered on an outpatient basis. With the changes in health care, the onset of managed care, and the explosion of knowledge and technology in medicine, physicians' offices as well as health care agencies are looking for employees that have a variety of skills.

Medical Assistants, eligible for certification, are trained and have demonstrated competency to work administratively as well as clinically in a variety of medical offices and clinical settings. Because of the medical assistant's expanded role in the medical community, the position requires an individual well-educated and highly competent person dedicated to providing the highest quality of medical care.

As the profession of Medical Assistant continues to grow and develop, some states are starting to require special licensure or certification to perform certain tasks. Certification is currently voluntary. However, eligible Medical Assistants are encouraged to take the national exam. The exam measures administrative, clinical, and transdisciplinary competencies at entry level. The certification exam is administered twice a year simultaneously across the United States.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE MEDICAL ASSISTANT

With their multiskilled training, medical assistants allow for flexibility in office staffing. Duties of the medical assistant vary from one office to another, depending on size, location, and specialty. In the smaller medical setting, medical assistants handle both administrative and clinical duties. In larger offices medical assistants tend to specialize.

Administrative duties include but are not limited to the following responsibilities:

Basic clerical duties
Schedule, coordinate, and monitor scheduling
Schedule inpatient/outpatient procedures and admissions
Perform medical transcription
Perform procedural and diagnostic coding
Obtain reimbursement through accurate claims (insurance) submission
Monitor and follow-up on third-party (insurance) reimbursement
Apply bookkeeping principles
Document and maintain accounting and banking records
Manage accounts payable, accounts receivables, and payroll
Professionally manage telephone responsibilities
Receive, organize, prioritize, and transmit written and verbal communications and information

Clinical duties, vary according to State law, include but are not limited to the following responsibilities:

Apply principles of aseptic technique and infection control
Prepare and assist with examinations, procedures, and treatments
Obtain patient history and vital signs
Collect and process specimens
Perform or assist with diagnostic tests
Screen and follow patient test results
Maintain medication and immunization records
Adhere to established triage procedures
Coordinate patient care information with other health care providers

JOB OUTLOOK

Medical Assistants generally work in outpatient settings. These types of medical settings are expected to grow much faster than average during the next 10 years spurring the demand for flexible support personnel. It is one of the fasted growing occupations. Heading the list for demand in these medical settings will be the medical assistant. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is expecting an increase in the need for Medical Assistants of 59% by the year 2012.

NATIONAL CERTIFICATION EXAMINATIONS

Graduates of this Program are eligible to take the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) Certification Examination. Upon passing the exam, the graduate will possess the credentials of Certified Medical Assistant (CMA). This certification is recognized nationally.

More information regarding this exam is available from:

The Medical Assistant Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Curriculum Review Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants Endowment (AAMAE).

I would like to attend Allegany College of Maryland. What do I do next?

Complete an application for admission.

What are Allegany College of Maryland's entrance requirements?

View entrance requirements.

What are the Medical Assistant Program entrance requirements?

View Medical Assistant curriculum requirements.

As part of the training for Medical Assisting, will there be a clinical or internship?

• Upon completion of the Medical Assistant Program, students will have accumulated 270 hours of clinical/internship training in ambulatory care and outpatient settings. The internship experience is under the supervision of a physician or office manager at the ambulatory care site.

How much will it cost to go to Allegany College of Maryland?

View Tuition information. View Financial Aid information. View Scholarship information.

Are there any other costs I should know about within this program such as books, uniforms, etc.?

• The program costs beyond tuition, fees, and textbooks are approximately $500 for uniforms, liability insurance, and achievement tests during the 2 years of study.

If I'm attending Allegany College of Maryland and I am not a local resident, where can I live and how much will it cost?

Student Housing.

PROGRAM CONTACT

Peggy Hughes
phughes@allegany.edu
301-784-5319