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Nov 25, 2024
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2020-21 Gaston College Catalog [THIS CATALOG IS OUT-OF-DATE. USE THE CURRENT CATALOG TO FIND CURRENT PROGRAMS.]
Medical Assisting, A.A.S. (A45400)
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 Return to: Health and Human Services Programs
Students who have successfully completed the one-year Medical Assisting diploma are encouraged to continue their education by completing the Medical Assisting Associate in Applied Science degree. The Medical Assisting associate degree completion program is designed for Medical Assistants who desire an associate degree for career advancement or transfer purposes. After completion of the forty-eight credit hours required for the diploma, students pursing an associate degree will need to complete course work in the following areas: English, Student Success, Psychology, Humanities, Medical Assisting, and Biology.
Medical assistants are multi-skilled health professionals specifically educated to work in ambulatory settings performing administrative and clinical duties. The practice of medical assisting directly influences the public’s health and well-being and requires mastery of a complex body of knowledge and specialized skills requiring both formal education and practical experience that serve as standards for entry into the profession.
Course work includes instruction in scheduling appointments, coding and processing insurance accounts, billing, collections, computer operations, assisting with examinations/treatments, performing routine laboratory procedures, electrocardiography, supervised medication administration and ethical/legal issues associated with patient care.
Employment opportunities include physicians’ offices, health maintenance organizations, health departments and hospitals.
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates will:
- Plan community health projects to encourage and enhance community health and wellness.
- Plan, develop, and conduct patient education activities.
- Function in the role of patient advocate to assist patients, survivors, and caregivers within the health care system.
- Participate in and coordinate networking opportunities within the health care community.
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Admission Information
Students applying for admission to the Gaston College Medical Assisting Program MUST meet all Gaston College admission requirements for GENERAL ADMISSION to the college. Admission to the general college does not guarantee admission to the Medical Assisting Program.
To be eligible to participate in the selective admission process, an applicant must complete the following application steps:
- Complete Residency Determination
- Submit a Gaston College Application
- Apply for financial aid
- Meet with an advisor and/or attend an information session
- Submit official high school (and college, if applicable) transcripts
- Provide proof of course placement requirements
Students must demonstrate readiness for College level reading and math. Students can demonstrate that readiness in the following ways:
- Provide proof of unweighted US High School GPA of 2.8 or higher within the last ten years.
- Provide proof of an associate or bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
- Provide proof of satisfactory scores on RISE, ACT, SAT, GED, NCDAP, COMPASS, ASSET or ACUPLACER within the last ten years.
Students who do not have recent high school transcripts or test scores within the past 10 years should prepare to take the placement test and demonstrate:
Mastery on RISE (Reinforced Instruction for Student Excellence) English placement Tier 2 and RISE Math placement Tier 1; OR successfully complete ENG 002 through TIER 2 (grade of P2) and MAT 003 through Tier 1 (grade of P1).
Admission Requirements to the Medical Assisting Program
- In order to complete and submit a Gaston College Medical Assisting Program Application, applicants must have a diploma in Medical Assisting from a CAAHEP-accredited program (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs) and current certification in Medical Assisting. Applications can be requested through the Medical Assisting Office (704.922.6377) or on the Medical Assisting webpage, under Admission Requirements. Applicants are advised to apply early.
Students Admitted to the Medical Assisting Program
In addition to maintaining a 2.0 GPA, applicants accepted into the Medical Assisting program must meet the following requirements in order to enroll and continue in medical assisting courses:
- Earn a minimum grade of “B” (80%) in ALL medical assisting curriculum courses.
Humanities/Fine Arts Electives
Select one (1) course from the following:
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Return to: Health and Human Services Programs
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