Medical Assistant
LIMITED ENROLLMENT
Delivery Method: On Campus
Program Begins: Fall
Program Description
The Medical Assistant program focuses on student success through the delivery of affordable, flexible, high-quality, experiential learning enhanced by public-private partnerships.
A medical assistant is an integral healthcare delivery team member, qualified by education and experience to work in the administrative office, the examining room, and the physician's laboratory. Certified medical assistants perform hands-on patient care, such as taking blood pressure and drawing blood, and handling administrative and clerical duties, including taking a patient's medical history and scheduling appointments. This program will prepare you for the national certifying exam and employment as a medical assistant.
Preparation
Students interested in entering the Medical Assistant program should understand healthcare. Successful students have a strong sense of responsibility, patience, and manual dexterity.
Program Requirements
Application Date(s):
Fall – August 9
Upon receipt of all application materials by the August 9th deadline, the Nursing Program Director will evaluate the applicant’s file for completeness of the following requirements:
- Students must obtain a Nursing Assistant Certification while enrolled in the program or provide proof of Nursing Assistant Certification.
- Proof of high school diploma or high school equivalency
- Proof of immunizations dependent on clinical placement
- Exemption requests must be inquired upon and are subject to review and approval by the clinical facility. Clinical affiliates maintain sole discretion as to the student’s ability to participate in the Clinical Experiences.
- TOEFL test as proof of English proficiency score of 70 or higher (for applicants for which English is not their native language)
- Criminal background check and drug screening administered by CastleBranch
- Required Certifications: Apply for the North Dakota Board of Nursing Unlicensed Assistive Persons (UAP) registry before class start.
Upon successful completion of the above curriculum, the student will receive a Program Certificate in Medical Assisting and is eligible to apply to take the National Center for Competency Training (NCCT) Medical Assistant Exam.
Career Opportunities
Medical Assistants complete administrative and clinical tasks in hospitals, offices of physicians, and other healthcare facilities.
Medical Assistant career opportunities will grow by 16% from 2021-2031. Data from the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon graduation, Medical Assistant students will be able to:
- Prepare competent entry-level medical assistants in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.
- Prepare graduates to perform within the legal and ethical boundaries of the medical assistant’s scope of practice.
- Prepare graduates to value the needs of each patient, their family, culture and beliefs. To prepare graduates to communicate effectively, professionally and be culturally sensitive with providers, staff and patients.
- Prepare graduates to participate as team members while in the office setting of their clinic/hospital To prepare graduates to maintain currency within their field through certification and continuing education
- Encourage the student to be a lifelong learner.