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Medical Assistant - Diploma | Allied Health

(For campuses other than Clearwater, please see our Medical Assistant Technician program.)

Diploma Program              

12 Months / 48 Credits     

 

Associate's Degree Program

21 Months / 90 Credits

Medical assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other health practitioners running smoothly. The duties of medical assistants vary from office to office, depending on the location and size of the practice and the practitioner’s specialty. In small practices, medical assistants usually do many different kinds of tasks, handling both administrative and clinical duties and reporting directly to an office manager, physician, or other health practitioner. Those in large practices tend to specialize in a particular area, under the supervision of department administrators.

Program Objectives
  • Basic medical terminology, anatomy, human diseases, pharmacology
  • Basic medical office procedures and clinical medical assisting skills.

Front office procedures such as:

  • Handling patient accounts and records, word processing, and scheduling of patients.

Back office procedures such as:

  • Taking patient histories and vital signs
  • Preparing patients for procedures
  • Assisting the physician with examinations and treatments
  • Performing selected diagnostic tests as directed by the physician
  • Basic medical laboratory and X-ray procedures

Are You Ready to …

  • Assist physicians during examinations
  • Collect and prepare laboratory specimens
  • Perform basic laboratory tests
  • Sterilize medical instruments
  • Prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician
  • Draw blood
  • Take electrocardiograms
  • Remove sutures
  • Update and file patients’ medical records,
  • Arrange for hospital admissions and laboratory services
  • Greet patients
  • Schedule appointments
  • Take medical histories
  • Record vital signs
  • Explain treatment procedures to patients
  • Prepare patients for examinations