Business Technology Medical Office (BMED) Medical Assistant Associate in Applied Technology Degree and Certificate of Proficiency WE TRAIN CARING PEOPLE!
TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS... 1 About the Profession... 2 About the Program... 2 Program and Career Demands... 2 Before You Apply... 2 Required Testing... 2 Disability Support Services... 3 Financial Aid... 3 Notification Regarding Criminal Felony Convictions... 3 Minimum Requirements... 3 Course Curriculum Certificate of Proficiency (CP)... 5 Associate of Applied Technology (AAT) Degree Requirements... 6 Program Acceptance... 6 Program Reentry... 6 Removal from Program... 7 Important Notes... 7 Estimated Medical Assistant Program Costs... 7 Accreditation and National Certification... 8 Clark College Faculty and Resources... 9 1
About the Profession Medical Assistants work in clinics and other ambulatory care centers and enjoy a great amount of variety in their careers. They are trained to perform many administrative and clinical duties, which vary from office to office depending on the location, size, and specialty of the facility. Medical Assistants are instrumental in helping patients feel at ease in the doctor s office and often explain the physician s instructions; therefore, strong communication skills and a desire to help others are highly beneficial. For more information, refer to the American Association of Medical Assistants website at www.aama-ntl.org or the Washington State Society of Medical Assistants website at www.wssma.org. About the Program The 85-credit Medical Assistant program at Clark College leads to a Certificate of Proficiency; however, students have the option of completing additional requirements to earn a 95-credit Associate in Applied Technology degree as well. This limited-entry program starts once a year in Winter Quarter, and students must complete minimum requirements (see p. 3) to be eligible to start the program. Program and Career Demands As you consider applying to the Clark College Medical Assistant program, it is important that you understand the requirements of the program and the profession. Students in the program, as well as Medical Assistants working in the healthcare field, experience great physical demands, such as reaching and bending, extensive moving or lifting of weights over 25 pounds, and long periods of standing and/or walking They also perform tasks requiring manual dexterity, such as typing, drawing blood, and operating medical equipment. Before You Apply We appreciate your interest in Clark College s Medical Assistant program. Please be aware that as a pre-medical Assistant student, it is your responsibility to read and understand all information regarding the Medical Assistant program. You must comply with the application process listed in this booklet, submit all necessary documents in a timely manner, and meet the entrance requirements to be eligible for selection into the program. For questions regarding the application process or program information, contact Advising Services: Contact: Prof/Tech Advising E-mail: prof.tech.adv@clark.edu Phone: (360) 992-2345 FAX: (360) 992-2985 Required Testing If you do not have college-level English and Math completed, and you are planning to take those courses at Clark College, you must complete required testing: 2
Take the Clark College COMPASS test. Call (360) 992-2648 for Assessment Center hours. The following scores or equivalent classes are required prior to program entry: Reading: COMPASS score of 74 or higher or completion of CAP 087 or equivalent with 2.0 or above. Disability Support Services Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact Disability Support Services at (360) 992-2314 or (360) 991-0901 (video phone), or e-mail dss@clark.edu to determine appropriate academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids and services. Financial Aid The Clark College Office of Financial Aid assists eligible students in meeting their educational expenses through a variety of state, federal, and Clark College resources. More specific information on funding availability, the application process, and eligibility determination is available on the Clark College website at www.clark.edu/finaid. Notification Regarding Criminal Felony Convictions Anyone with a criminal felony record must be aware of the following: Washington Administrative Code prohibits healthcare facilities from employing or accepting students with a criminal history. Healthcare facilities in Oregon also have this prohibition. A student who cannot be placed in a healthcare facility by state law will be unable to complete the certificate and/or degree requirements, which require 200 hours of Medical Assistant practicum in a healthcare facility. The State of Washington will not award a Certificate as a Healthcare Assistant to anyone with a criminal felony record. (See state law for specific details.) The American Association of Medical Assistants will not allow an individual with a criminal felony record to take the Certified Medical Assistant Examination. (See AAMA rules for specific details.) Applicants to the Medical Assistant program may be asked to submit a criminal background check. Minimum Requirements Complete the Clark College Application for Admission and the Medical Assistant Application. Return both to the Clark College Welcome Center with the non-refundable program application fees. Fees are subject to change; for current fee amounts visit the Medical Assistant website. Date of Medical Assistant Application (date fee paid) will be considered in selecting students for entry into the program. Complete with a 2.0 or above all preliminary required courses: BMED 103, BMED 105, BMED 110, BMED 111, BMED 116 and 117, BTEC 107 or PTWR 135 or ENGL&101, BTEC 149, HEOC 100 or BIOL 164/165, HEOC 104 and HEOC 130. 3
To comply with Washington State Law (WAC 246-901-030[2]), Clark College requires that students must submit proof of high school graduation, GED completion, or U.S. degree conferment to be eligible for selection into the Medical Assistant program. Students who do not plan to apply transfer credits toward the program are not required to submit official transcripts. Take the Clark College COMPASS test. Call (360) 992-2648 for Assessment Center hours. The following scores or equivalent classes are required prior to program entry: o Reading: COMPASS score of 74 or higher or completion of CAP 087 or equivalent with 2.0 or above. o Obtain a minimum Clark College cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above. Do not repeat any required program course more than once. If a second attempt for any program course proves unsuccessful, the candidate will be disqualified from selection and/or removed from the Medical Assistant program. Valid appeals will be considered on a case-by case basis; program readmittance will be at the discretion of the appeal review body. 4
Course Curriculum Certificate of Proficiency (CP) All program requirements below must be completed with a 2.0 or above. No program requirements can be repeated more than once. General Education Requirements Credits Communication Skills (3 credits required) BTEC 107 Business English 5 or PTWR 135 Introduction to Applied Technical Writing 5 Computational Skills (3 credits required) BMED 103 Math for Health Care Professionals 3 Human Relations (3 credits required) BMED 166 Medical Assistant Practicum** 6 Major Area Requirements BMED 105 Statistics for Health Care Professionals 2 BMED 110 Medical Terminology I 3 BMED 111 Medical Terminology II 3 BMED 112 Introduction to Pathophysiology 5 BMED 116 Medical Office Administrative Procedures I 3 BMED 117 Medical Office Administrative Procedures II 3 BMED 130 Medical Coding - CPT/HCPCS 4 BMED 132 Medical Coding ICD-9-CM/ICD-10 5 BMED 137 Therapeutic Comm Skills for Health Professionals 3 BMED 138 Legal Aspects of the Medical Office 2 BMED 139 MA Assistant Examination Review 2 BMED 163 Medical Office Clinical Procedures I (with lab) 6 BMED 164 Medical Office Clinical Procedures II (with lab) 6 BMED 165 Medical Office Laboratory Procedures 4 BTEC 101 Beginning Keyboarding (3 credits required)*** 1-3 or BTEC 103 Refresher Keyboarding (3 credits required)*** 1-3 BTEC 147 Professional Self-Development 2 BTEC 149 Computer Applications Essentials 3 HEOC 100 Basic Concepts of Anatomy & Physiology* 4 HEOC 104 Health Care Delivery & Career Exploration 3 HEOC 120 AIDS Education 1 HEOC 130 Pharmacology for Health Assistants 3 FACPR032 First Aid & Healthcare Provider CPR 1 Recommended Electives BMED 129 Medical Reimbursement 5 Total Credits Required for CP 85 *BIOL 164 and BIOL 165 will also meet this requirement, though HEOC 100 provides better preparation for the National Certification exam. **Medical Assistant Practicum (BMED 166) is a 200-hour, non-paid, supervised work experience. Students are required to find their own practicum site; however, before the student can begin his or her hours, there must be a contract in place between the facility and Clark College. The practicum coordinator will facilitate contract negotiations once the student has provided all contact information (facility name, address, contact person s name, phone number, and fax number). 5
Associate of Applied Technology (AAT) Degree Requirements In addition to all Certificate of Proficiency requirements, students interested in earning an Associate of Applied Technology (AAT) degree in Medical Assistant must complete 10 credits of the following: Human Relations-5 credits CMST& 230 Small Group Communication Major Area Requirements-5 credits BMED 129 Medical Reimbursement Program Acceptance Completion of preliminary Medical Assistant course requirements does not guarantee entrance into the Medical Assistant program, and Clark College reserves the right to determine admission status. Applications are accepted at any time; however this is a limited-entry program, and only 30 applicants will be admitted each Winter Quarter. All qualified applicants who have successfully completed minimum requirements (see p. 3) will be prioritized for acceptance as follows: 1. Cumulative GPA for all preliminary courses will determine candidate selection. 2. Medical Assistant program application and fee received prior to selection deadline. 3. Successful completion of preliminary required courses with a letter grade of C or above. For more information regarding program acceptance, contact Advising Services at (360) 992-2345. Accepted students will be required to complete the following requirements before the first day of classes Winter Quarter: 1. Obtain a complete physical to verify proof of fitness. Contact the Clark College Health Services Office at (360) 992-2614 or e-mail chc@clark.edu or your personal physician. Directions for the submission of physical results will be provided on the day of orientation. 2. Required Immunizations: Proof of 2 MMR vaccinations after 1 year of age, at least 30 days apart or titer performed. Proof of TB screening. Must be within six months of first class of BMED 163. If you have never had a TB skin test, a two-step test may be required or titer performed. Proof of entire series of three Hepatitis B vaccinations. Two of the injections are required before the start of BMED 164 or titer performed. Proof of Diphtheria/Tetanus vaccination (DPT) within the last 10 years. Influenza vaccine yearly. Program Reentry If a student stops out of the program they must complete a new application with fee if: 1. The student stops out of the program without completing the clinical series (BMED 163, 164, 165, 166) in the year indicated on the application. 2. The student receives a grade of C- or lower in any clinical series class (BMED 163, 164, 165, 166) and wants to retake that class. 6
Note: Reentry students will have no priority over the other applicants in the selection process. If a student wishes to reenter the program after stopping out, they may write a letter of request stating their position to the Program Director. In the event that the Program Director denies reentry into the program, the student may appeal to the BMED Department Head and the Unit Dean via a written letter. The decision of the BMED Department Head and Unit Dean is final and cannot be appealed. Removal from Program Students removed from the program for cause, such as failure to meet program standards of safety or conduct, or removed from practicum for cause as stated in the Medical Assistant Practicum syllabus, may not apply for reentry into the Medical Assistant program. Important Notes Confidentiality: During your Medical Assistant program experience you will be working with confidential information about fellow students in labs and patients in practicum. There may also be confidential discussions about healthcare facility practices. This information shall be kept confidential and not discussed outside the classroom or clinical site. File Status: Once you have applied to the Medical Assistant program and paid the Medical Assistant application fee, your file will stay current if you are an active student. If you do not complete courses (or send updated transcripts) for four terms, your status will inactivate. Qualified applicants not selected for program entry can keep their file active for consideration for the next selection cycle for a total of two cycles. In order to remain in the selection pool, candidates must notify the Program Director and Enrollment Services of this request. These applicants will not be given priority and will be evaluated in the same manner as the rest of the applicants. Performance Evaluations: Periodic student/instructor evaluations are performed regarding student s attitude, teamwork, attendance, and performance. Evaluation results could result in removal from the program. Estimated Medical Assistant Program Costs Please refer to these Clark College websites for information on current tuition and textbook costs: Gainful Employment for Medical Assistant Website: www.clark.edu/academics/catalog/gainful-employment/381b/gedt.html Clark College Bookstore Website: www.clarkbookstore.com/ 7
Accreditation and National Certification Clark College s Medical Assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), on recommendation of the Curriculum Review Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants Endowment (AAMAE). Successful graduates of Clark College s Medical Assistant program are eligible to sit for the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) Certified Medical Assistant Examination. Upon passing the exam, graduates will receive the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential from the AAMA. This credential is recognized nationally by healthcare institutions. For more information refer to the following websites: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs www.caahep.org 1361 Park Street Clearwater, FL 33756 727-210-2350 Medical Assistant Education Review Board www.maerb.org/ 20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 1575 Chicago, IL 60606 800-228-2262 Washington State Department of Health www.doh.wa.gov Town Center 2 111 Israel Rd. SE Tumwater, WA 98501 360-236-4700 Fax: 360-236-4818 E-mail: hsqu.csc@doh.wa.gov National Center for Competency Testing www.ncctinc.com NCCT 7007 College Blvd. Suite 385 Overland Park, KS 66211 800-875-4404 Fax: 913-498-1243 American Association of Medical Assistants www.aama-ntl.org 8
Clark College Faculty and Resources Medical Assistant Program Director Barbara Benge, CMA (AAMA) (360) 992-2658 Scarpelli Hall 114 bbenge@clark.edu Business Technology Medical Office Department Head Evalinn Sunnie Elhart-Johnson (360) 992-2011 Scarpelli Hall 112B selhart@clark.edu Clark College Health Services Center (360) 992-2614 www.clark.edu/campus-life/student-support/counseling/health_services/index.php Clark College Advising Center (360) 992-2345 www.clark.edu/enroll/advising-services/index.php Clark College Office of Financial Aid (360) 992-2153 www.clark.edu/finaid Note to Students: Clark College also offers a Medical Office Specialist program. Contact the Professional/Technical Advisors if you would like more information. 9