Purpose
The three-semester College Credit Certificate (CCC) in Medical Assisting Specialist (MAS) is tailored to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the core principles, practices, and skills of medical assisting. Students are prepared to assist with taking vital signs, minor surgical procedures, examination room preparation, medication administration, phlebotomy, laboratory operations, electrocardiogram administration, and various other clinical tasks. Students also learn to function in an administrative capacity, including but not limited to patient communication, electronic health records, medical coding and billing, scheduling appointments, ordering supplies, and processing insurance claims.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics: “Employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 14 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than average for all occupations.” Current occupational and wage data for Medical Assistants are published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical Assistants,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm.
The Medical Assisting Specialist, Certificate program has an associated Advanced Medical Assisting, AS degree.
Program Application Deadline
May 31
Admission Requirements
Admission to the Medical Assisting Specialist, CCC program is selective and based on the following criteria.
To be considered for acceptance, students must:
- Be admitted to FSW
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Complete and pass a college-approved criminal background check and drug testing at the applicant’s expense
- Complete the Medical Assisting, CCC program application
After acceptance and prior to enrollment in second-semester courses, students must provide the following:
- Provide documentation of a health physical and functional evaluation from a healthcare provider including all required immunizations.
- Provide evidence of tuberculosis (TB) screening.
- Provide proof of personal health insurance.
- Provide evidence of current Basic Life Support Provider Certification (CPR and AED)
Some of the Program Specific Requirements courses may be taken on various campuses, but the MAS (MEA) courses are only offered on the Charlotte Campus.
The Medical Assisting Specialist Certificate incorporates selected courses from the Advanced Medical Assisting, AS program. Upon completion of the certificate program, students will receive a College Credit Certificate (CCC). The program is to be completed in 3 semesters by college-ready students (i.e., have completed all developmental coursework). Students will progress through the program as a full-time cohort and courses must be taken in sequence. Withdrawing from a course will result in removal from the program unless granted AMA Program Director approval.
Students who complete the Medical Assisting Specialist Certificate may continue their studies and pursue the Advanced Medical Assisting, AS degree while working in the field.
Internship Requirements
The program includes a clinical practice experience (internship) course. The MEA2803L Medical Assisting Clinical Experience course will provide a real-world environment in which to integrate the knowledge, theory, skills, and behaviors of an Advanced Medical Assistant professional. Students will complete a total of 160 hours of clinical experience in a healthcare setting. Students are responsible for transportation to and from the clinical sites.
The MEA1248C Clinical Laboratory Procedures course will require students to perform 30 successful venipunctures and 10 capillary punctures to pass the course. This may require the student to be placed in a clinical setting.
The MEA1206C Clinical Office Procedures I course will require students to perform 10 successful EKGs and may require the student to be placed in a clinical setting.
- Clinical sites are usually open during normal business hours (8 a.m. - 5 p.m.), and they are usually closed evenings and weekends. Students are expected to be at their clinical sites Monday through Friday during normal business hours.
- As part of this program, the student cannot receive compensation from the clinical site.
Course Prerequisites
Many courses require prerequisites. Check the description of each course in the list below for prerequisites, minimum grade requirements, and other restrictions. Students must complete all prerequisites for a course prior to registering for it.
Graduation Requirements
Students must fulfill all requirements of their program to be eligible for graduation. All courses required for the certificate must be passed with a grade of “C” or higher and demonstrate ‘entry-level’ functional ability standards and the competency and performance levels required of a medical assistant assessed in the clinical class (MEA2803L).
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