Medical Assisting Program

2students

Medical Assisting Program at Chabot College

Chabot College offers a 2 semester Certificate Program and an Associate of Arts Degree in Medical Assisting.

The Chabot 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
1361 Park Street
Clearwater, FL 33756
727/210-2350

Upon satisfactory completion of the Medical Assisting Curriculum the graduate is eligible to take the Certified Medical Assistant Exam (CMA) sponsored by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). The AAMA is the professional organization for Medical Assistants.

The goal of the program is to provide a balanced clinical and administrative curriculum. This is accomplished with comprehensive lectures and laboratory courses, as well as clinical experiences in local community health care facilities:  The program is competency based and the core classes for the Medical Assisting program are offered during the day. There are some non-core classes offered in the evening and Saturdays.

For more information on the Medical Assisting profession go to the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook website, California Medical Assistants Association (CMAA) website, or the California Society of Medical Assistants website.

Is Medical Assisting for you?

Medical assistants are in demand!

Medical assisting is one of the nation's fastest growing careers through 2012, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. This can be attributed to a predicted surge in the number of physicians' offices and outpatient care facilities. Technological advancements and the growing number of elderly Americans who need medical treatment are also factors for the increased demand for medical assistants.

So... what do medical assistants actually do?

Medical assistants have a great amount of variety in their jobs and are cross-trained to perform many administrative and clinical duties. Of course, duties vary from office to office depending on location, size and specialty.
Administrative duties may include...

    • Using computer applications
    • Answering telephones
    • Greeting patients
    • Updating and filing patient medical records
    • Coding and filling out insurance forms
    • Scheduling appointments
    • Arranging for hospital admissions and laboratory services
    • Handling correspondence, billing and bookkeeping

Clinical duties vary by state and include...

    • Taking medical histories
    • Explaining treatment procedures to patients
    • Preparing patients for examination
    • Assisting the physician during the exam
    • Collecting and preparing laboratory specimens
    • Performing basic laboratory tests
    • Instructing patients about medication and special diets
    • Preparing and administering medications as directed by a physician
    • Authorizing prescription refills as directed
    • Drawing blood
    • Taking electrocardiograms
    • Removing sutures and changing dressings

Medical assistants are caring

Medical assistants give health care a human touch, helping patients to feel at ease in the doctor's office and to understand physicians' instructions. If you have good communication skills and are often appreciated for your caring manner, then you might be well suited for a career in medical assisting.

Taken from the website of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)

What you should know or do before entering the
Medical Assisting Certificate Program at Chabot College

  • Research the program and occupation (employment opportunities and pay) before entering the program to make sure it is what you want to do.

    U.S. Dept. of Labor, Occupational Outlook - http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos164.htm

    American Association of Medical Assistants - http://www.aama-ntl.org/

  • A program means that you have to take certain classes in each semester together and pass all classes with “C” or better to progress to the second semester.  Working during the second semester is difficult.

  • The majority of students in medical assisting are women.

  • Communication: You must have good oral English language skills to be able to take messages, talk on the phone, and understand directions.

  • Take some classes before entering the program such as Health 51A, CPR, and one of the required computer classes.

  • There are requirements that have to be met before being placed at a clinical site such as a physical exam, immunizations, dental exam, background check and drug screen

  • You will need a uniform for labs on campus and clinical.

  • No perfume is to be worn at any time.

  • You will be required to meet the hand hygiene policy, no nail polish; artificial nails and nails are to be cut short so that they do not show over the tops of your fingers when you palms are facing you.

  • You will be giving injections and drawing blood. You should feel comfortable performing skills on other students in the class; this means you have to be comfortable with appropriate touching of patients.  Also in clinical be prepared to see procedures performed on many parts of the human body.

  • Get full support from family and friends.  Obtain dependable childcare and make contingency plans if your child is sick.

  • Get reliable transportation, know where to park etc.

  • You have to be able to work under pressure, give presentations to the class, study hard for exams, and have good organizational and time management skills. You must not be late to class, and you must be prepared to sit through lectures and be actively participating in labs.