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:

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

Occupational Choices

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employment of medical assistants is expected to grow 14 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. As the healthcare industry expands because of technological advances in medicine and the growth and aging of the population, there will be an increased need for all healthcare workers. The increasing prevalence of certain conditions, such as obesity and diabetes, will also increase the demand for healthcare services and medical assistants. Increasing the use of medical assistants to allow doctors to care for more patients will further stimulate job growth. Job placement opportunities are numerous in the Montgomery area. Most employers prefer to hire individuals who have completed a formal program in Medical Assisting. Physicians’ offices, laboratories, hospitals, and ambulatory care centers are just a few of the current job opportunities.

Source:  Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical Assistants,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm

Average Full-Time Wage

The median annual wage for medical assistants was $38,270 in May 2022. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount, and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $30,390, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $51,710.

Source:  Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical Assistants,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm

Additional Requirements

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

1. Meet all the general admission requirements of Trenholm State.
2. 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.
3. 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)
4. 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 within three months before the anticipated semester of enrollment and no later than 30 days after enrollment in the preceptor course. 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 the TB skin test repeated yearly until completion of the program. (Required before starting MAT-230 - Medical Assisting Preceptorship and MAT 239-Phlebotomy Preceptorship)
5. 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)
6. 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.
7. 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
Medical Assisting

Program Contact

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

The College regularly evaluates student learning outcomes for each program as part of ongoing planning and evaluation.

Estimated Program Length & Cost *

* Tax not included.  Prices are subject to change without prior notice; the cost of books may vary considerably among suppliers.  The cost of general education books is in addition to the total listed above.  The length of the program is based on full-time status of 12-15 credit hours per term.  Enrollment in transitional-level general education courses will alter the length of the program.