Lisa Humbertson, Program Director
Allied Health 124
301-784-5319
https://allegany.edu/medical-assistant/index.html
This program prepares the graduate to work as a Medical Assistant in outpatient or
ambulatory care facilities. Medical Assistants are cross-trained and assist in keeping
a physician's office or clinic running smoothly. Medical Assisting directly influences
the public's health and well-being, and requires mastery of knowledge and specialized
skills requiring both formal education and practical experience, that serve as standards
for entry into the profession. Administrative responsibilities of the Medical Assistant
include, but are not limited to, answering the telephone; creating, updating, and
maintaining patients' records; handling the insurance cycle including coding, billing,
and processing of claims forms; and supervising the day-to-day front office activities.
Clinical duties vary according to individual state laws. Clinical responsibilities
include taking a medical history, vital signs, patient education, and preparing and
assisting with patient examinations and minor surgeries. Medical Assistants routinely
collect and prepare laboratory specimens, dispose of contaminated supplies, and sterilize
medical instruments. Under the supervision of a physician, a medical assistant prepares
and dispenses medications, authorizes drug refills, and submits prescriptions to pharmacies.
Medical Assisting is one of the fastest growing occupations. Due to the flexibility
and multi- disciplined skills possessed by the Medical Assistant, employment opportunities
will increase as the number of outpatient settings grow. The earnings of medical assistants
vary, depending on experience, skill level, and location.
This program is comprised of clinical and non-clinical components. Practicum assignments
for students shall be structured so that experiences are obtained in applying skills
and knowledge under the supervision of healthcare professionals. The College arranges
the site and supervisor for the student to complete 220 hours of unpaid practicum
experience during the clinical phase of the Medical Assistant program. In order to
participate in practicum experiences, a satisfactory health record must be on file
in the Medical Assistant office prior to the practicum experience. Students must obtain
a Criminal Record Check prior to entrance into the Medical Assistant Clinical phase.
If participating in practicums at a Pennsylvania clinical site, the student must obtain
a Child Abuse History Clearance and a State Police and FBI background check. During
enrollment any official change or the initiation of any governmental proceeding affecting
the information revealed by the required criminal or child abuse background check
must be reported immediately by the student to the director of the Medical Assistant
program.
The Medical Assistant curriculum is designed to be completed within four college semesters
and a summer session. Since most classes are sequential in nature, courses must be
taken during or before the semester listed. Successful completion of this program
qualifies a student to apply for an Associate of Applied Science degree in Medical
Assistant. Upon graduation from this accredited program, students are eligible to
take the national certification exam offered by the American Association of Medical
Assistants (AAMA).
Medical Assistant students must maintain the scholastic standards of the College and
must achieve a grade of "C" or better in all required Medical Administrative Assistant
and Medical Assistant courses. A current CPR Health Care Provider card is a prerequisite
to the practicum and clinical Medical Assistant courses. The Medical Assistant curriculum
at Allegany College of Maryland has been designated as a Health Manpower Shortage
Program by the Maryland Higher Education Commission. Maryland residents from counties
other than Allegany County who register in this eligible program will be charged the
out-of-county tuition rate. However, these students may be eligible to receive reimbursement
for a portion of the cost difference between the in-county and out-of-county tuition
rates. Funding availability for this program is based on funding from the State of
Maryland and is thus subject to change each semester. Some restrictions apply. More
information can be obtained by contacting the Admissions Office. The college reserves
the right to revise course and admission requirements as appropriate. Students not
admitted into the clinical phase of the Medical Assistant program should refer to
the Selective Admission Health Programs section.
Successful completion of this program qualifies a student to apply for an Associate
of Applied Science degree in Medical Assistant.
Due to the clinical component of this curriculum, the program is limited in the number of seats available. Therefore, admission is competitive. Minimum requirements for admission to the clinical phase are as follows:
- Pass the Allegany College of Maryland Placement Assessment or successfully complete all courses as required.
- Maintain a minimum overall college grade point average of 2.0.
- Successfully complete a minimum of 12 semester hours of college-level course work
chosen from the following list:
- English 101 (English Composition I) - 3 credit hours
- Mathematics Elective - 3 credit hours
- Medical Administrative Assistant 110 (Medical Terminology) - 3 credit hours
- Medical Assistant 101 (Essential Skills for the Health Professional) - 3 credit hours
Students must first complete the above noted 12 credits, on a full- or part-time basis, to be considered for the clinical sequence of the Medical Assistant program. Admission to the clinical sequence begins in the fall semester. Applications for the program must be received in the Medical Assistant Office between October 1 and October 20 each year. If seats are available after initial selection is made, additional applications will be accepted until all seats are filled, at the discretion of the program director. Please contact the Medical Assistant Office or Admissions Office for an Application package, which will include details on admission criteria.
Required Medical Assistant Courses
| MDAA-110 | Medical Terminology |
| MDAA-132 | Elements of Human Disease |
| MDAA-133 | Basic Disease Coding |
| MDAA-135 |
Basic Procedural Coding |
| MDAA-213 | Principles of Medical Insurance |
| MDAS-101 | Essential Skills for Health Professional |
| MDAS-102 | Introduction to Health Records |
| MDAS-200 | Medical Assistant Clinical I |
| MDAS-209 | Administrative Medical Assistant |
| MDAS-211 | Medical Assistant Clinical II |
| MDAS-212 | Medical Assistant Clinical III |
| MDAS-213 | Medical Assistant Pharmacology |
| MDAS-214 | Medical Assistant Practicum |
| MDAS-218 | Clinical Laboratory Procedures (Phlebotomy/Laboratory Assistant 218) |
| PBLA-110 | Orientation to the Clinical Laboratory (Medical Laboratory Technology 110) |
| PBLA-111 | Basic Phlebotomy Procedures |
Required General Courses
| COMP-101 | Computer Literacy |
| ENG-101 |
English Composition I |
| PSYC-101 |
General Psychology |
| SPCH-101 |
Speech Communication |
Required Elective Courses
Please consult with your advisor or the Advising Center staff for selecting appropriate elective courses for graduation.
Biological Science Elective - 3 credits
Mathematic Elective - 3 credits
MEDICAL ASSISTANT
TWO-YEAR CAREER PROGRAM
PREPARATION FOR EMPLOYMENT
| FIRST SEMESTER | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Computer Technology 101 (Computer Literacy) | 3 |
| English 101 (English Composition I) | 3 |
| Mathematics Elective 1 | 3 |
| Medical Administrative Assistant 110 (Medical Terminology) | 3 |
| Medical Assistant 101 (Essential Skills for the Health Professional) | 3 |
| Total: | 15 |
| SECOND SEMESTER | |
| Medical Administrative Assistant 133 (Basic Disease Coding) | 3 |
| Medical Administrative Assistant 135 (Basic Procedural Coding) | 3 |
| Medical Assistant 102 (Introduction to Health Records) | 3 |
| Medical Assistant 200 (Medical Assistant Clinical I) | 2 |
| Medical Assistant 218 (Clinical Laboratory Procedures) | 2 |
| Phlebotomy/Laboratory Assistant 110 (Orientation to the Clinical Laboratory) | 1 |
| Phlebotomy/Laboratory Assistant 111 (Basic Phlebotomy) | 1 |
| Total: | 15 |
| SUMMER SESSION (following second semester) | |
| Medical Administrative Assistant 132 (Elements of Human Disease) | 3 |
| Medical Assistant 211 (Medical Assistant Clinical II) | 3 |
| Total: | 6 |
| THIRD SEMESTER | |
| Medical Administrative Assistant 213 (Principles of Medical Insurance) | 3 |
| Medical Assistant 209 (Administrative Medical Assistant) | 3 |
| Medical Assistant 212 (Medical Assistant Clinical III) | 3 |
| Medical Assistant 213 (Medical Assistant Pharmacology) | 3 |
| Total: | 12 |
| FOURTH SEMESTER | |
| Biological Science Elective 1 | 3 |
| Medical Assistant 214 (Medical Assistant Practicum) | 3 |
| Psychology 101 (General Psychology) | 3 |
| Speech 101 (Speech Communication) | 3 |
| Total: | 12 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 60 |
1 Consult your advisor or Advising Center staff for appropriate courses.
NOTE: All courses specifically identified by course number are graduation requirements for this program.
The Allegany College of Maryland’s Medical Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB). Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, 9355 113th Street N, #7709, Seminole, FL, 33775; 727-210-2350, www.caahep.org.
