Medical Assisting

Program Information

The Medical Assisting Program at H. Councill Trenholm State Community College is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). The Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB) is a Committee on Accreditation (CoA) of CAAHEP that makes accreditation recommendations for the accreditation status of medical assisting programs.

The curriculum is designed to provide students with theoretical instruction and practical application. Various methodologies are utilized to meet students' diverse learning styles' needs. Some of the clinical skills covered include taking medical histories, taking and recording vital signs, assisting with examinations and treatments, providing patient teaching, and performing specialized tests such as electrocardiograms (EKGs) and diagnostic laboratory testing. Administrative skills include scheduling appointments, performing manual and computerized billing, and filing insurance claims.

All graduates of the Medical Assisting Program are academically eligible to take the American Association of Medical Assistants National Certification Examination, the American Medical Technologist Examination, and the National Health Career Association Examination. Upon successful completion of this examination, the graduate will earn the title of Certified Medical Assistant, Registered Medical Assistant, or Certified Clinical Medical Assistant. The American Association of Medical Assistants stipulates that individuals found guilty of a felony or who pleaded guilty to a felony are ineligible to sit for the National Certification Exam. The certifying board may grant a waiver based on mitigating circumstances. Applicants who have been convicted of a felony or pleaded guilty to a felony may be accepted to the Medical Assisting Program. However, admission to the Program does not guarantee in any way that the applicant will be eligible to sit for the American Association of Medical Assistants National Certification Examination, the American Medical Technologist Examination, or the National Health Career Association Examination.

Program Mission

The Medical Assistant Program's Mission is to prepare medical assistants who are competent in cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession as effective members of the health care team.

Program Competencies

Upon successful completion of this program, the student should be able to:

Acquire the necessary skills to assist a physician by performing functions related to business administration and a medical office's clinical duties.
Acquire knowledge and familiarity with insurance, accounts, reports, medical records, and medical transcription.
Develop skills and knowledge in the proper procedures of patient preparation for examination.
Assess vital signs and assist the physician with patient examinations and treatment.
Perform routine office laboratory procedures such as phlebotomy, urinalysis, and diagnostic cultures.
Develop a thorough knowledge of medical office emergencies, including CPR and the proper procedures for its application.
Develop skills in the use of the electrocardiography machine.
Describe the legal and ethical issues governing the practice of medicine related to the medical office setting.
Demonstrate a safe level of knowledge using pharmaceutical medication preparation and administration principles.
File alphabetically, geographically, and numerically sign color-coded methodologies as dictated within the office setting.

Additional Requirements

Students are admitted to the Medical Assisting Program each semester. Individuals who are interested in enrolling in the program must:

Meet all the general admission requirements of Trenholm State.
Schedule an appointment before the beginning of the anticipated enrollment date with the program coordinator or designee to validate a keying speed of 30 words per minute. Individuals not meeting this requirement must enroll in MAT 100 - Introduction to Document Production. Appointments will not be scheduled once the semester begins.
Students must submit health information and complete a physical examination by a licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner before participating in learning experiences in any clinical facility. (Required before starting MAT-230 - Medical Assisting Preceptorship and MAT 239-Phlebotomy Preceptorship)
Students must provide documentation of required drug screening and immunizations (Hepatitis B, Tetanus, MMR, and TB) before preceptorship. Documentation of a negative drug screen and TB skin test should be submitted at the anticipated semester of enrollment in MAT 230 and MAT 239. For students who have a positive drug screen, retesting should be completed 30 days following the positive examination. Students who have a positive TB skin test result must submit documentation of a negative chest x-ray within 30 days following a positive examination.
Students must have current CPR certification to participate in learning experiences in any clinical facility. The certification must remain valid throughout the learning experience. (Required before starting MAT-230 - Medical Assisting Preceptorship and MAT 239- Phlebotomy Preceptorship).
Students must have liability insurance before participating in learning experiences in any clinical facility. Insurance is available through the college. The cost of the liability insurance is the student’s responsibility.
Students must adhere to the program’s dress code when participating in laboratory and clinical activities on and off campus.

Awards Available

Associate of Applied Science
Medical Assisting

Short Term Certificate
Phlebotomy

Short Term Certificate
Administrative Medical Assistant

Program Contacts

Dr. Chandrika McQueen
Program Coordinator/Instructor
334-420-4422
Cmcqueen@trenholmstate.edu
Location: Trenholm Campus - Bldg. J

Dr. Miriam Akwuba
Instructor
334-420-4425
makwuba@trenholmstate.edu
Location: Trenholm Campus - Bldg. J