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. Graduates of CAAHEP-accredited medical assisting programs may be eligible to sit for the American Association of Medical Assistants’ Certification Examination to become Certified Medical Assistants.
The Gaston College 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
25400 U.S. Highway 19 North, Suite 158
Clearwater, FL 33763
727.210.2350
www.caahep.org
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates will:
- Communicate effectively as a health care professional to a diverse population.
- Perform administrative competencies related to the practice of medical assisting utilizing necessary computer applications when applicable.
- Perform clinical competencies related to the practice of medical assisting.
- Perform laboratory procedures related to the physician’s office laboratory.
- Implement legal and ethical concepts in the medical office setting.
- Demonstrate knowledge of biological sciences, medical terminology and disease processes.
- Demonstrate knowledge of management skills relevant to the medical office setting.
- Apply clinical, administrative and laboratory skills in the office setting and function as an entry-level health care professional.
Course Selection Information
Students, to help you progress in your degree program, take prerequisite courses along with English and Math early in your academic career. This will align you for greater success in completing your program of study. Click on the courses listed below to ensure you are aware of prerequisites. The order shown below under the student program priorities is a guide.
Student Program Priorities:
- MED 110 , OST 130 , BIO 161
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