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Medical Assisting

Program Type: Diploma in Applied Science

Program Level: UG

Division: Nursing & Allied Health

Program Duration: 15 months

Program Contact: Dawn Nelson

Credit Requirement: 44

Time: Day

Program overview

The Medical Assisting Program is a dynamic, three-semester diploma program that blends classroom learning with real-world experience to prepare you for a fast-paced healthcare career. In semesters one and two, you'll build a strong foundation through a mix of general education and medical assisting-specific courses. Hands-on lab experiences give you the chance to practice clinical and administrative skills you'll use every day in the field. In the third semester, it's your time to shine! You'll step into a real physician's office for a clinical externship, putting your skills to the test and gaining valuable on-the-job experience. Before graduation, you'll also complete a Capstone review to boost your confidence and help you succeed on your national certification exam. Whether you're drawing blood, taking vital signs, or managing patient records, this program gets you ready to be the heartbeat of any healthcare team.

Courses Required

Prerequisite

Medical Terminology

Course Code: AHS-102

This course covers medical terms, including roots, prefixes, and suffixes, with emphasis on spelling, definition, and pronunciation.


Basic Anatomy And Physiology

Course Code: BIO-112

This course is a basic integrated study of the structure and function of the human body.


Semester 1

Contemporary Mathematics

Course Code: MAT-155

This course includes techniques and applications of the following topics: elementary number theory; algebra; geometry; measurement; graph sketching and interpretations; and descriptive statistics.


Common Diseases Of The Medical Office

Course Code: MED-108

This course provides a study of the most frequently encountered diseases of the patients seen in the medical office, their pathology and treatment.


Admin Skills Of The Medical Office I

Course Code: MED-131


Medical Office Clinical Skills I

Course Code: MED-141

This course provides instruction in examination room techniques, vital signs, interviewing, assisting with a physical examination, minor surgery and nutrition.


Semester 2

Basic Pharmacology

Course Code: AHS-121

This course covers the nature of drugs, their actions in the body and side effects.


Basic Medical Lab Techniques

Course Code: MED-113

This course provides a study of specimen collection and techniques for related laboratory procedures routinely performed in medical offices and clinics; including hematology and procedures related to body fluids.


Medical Assisting Clinical Procedures

Course Code: MED-114

This course covers examination room techniques, including vital signs, specialty examination, minor surgical techniques and emergency procedures.


Human Relations

Course Code: PSY-103

This course is a study of human relations, including the dynamics of behavior, interrelationships, and personality as applied in everyday life.


Public Speaking

Course Code: SPC-205

This course is an introduction to principles of public speaking with application of speaking skills. Successful completion of ENG 101 is recommended.


Semester 3

Microcomputer Applications

Course Code: CPT-170

This course introduces microcomputer applications software, including word processing, data bases, spreadsheets, graphs, and their integration. Note: May not be used for credit in any CPT degree or certificate program.


Computer Applications I

Course Code: CPT-170

This course introduces computer applications software, including word processing, databases, spreadsheets, graphs, and their integration.


Clinical Experience I

Course Code: MED-156

This course provides direct experience in a physician's office or other selected medical facilities.This is an unpaid work experience.


Entry Requirements

To see a list of entrance requirements for this program, please check the FDTC Course Catalog.

Download Catalog

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  • Unify skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary for success within the medical assisting profession body of knowledge.
  • Communicate information and ideas effectively.
  • Demonstrate respect for the rights of the patients, colleagues, and other health professionals and perform duties in a manner that is within the constraints of legal, moral, and ethical conduct.
  • Interpret objective patient data by correlating with subjective and pathological findings. 

Resources

Documents