Medical Assistant
Occupational Major
This major is primarily designed for job preparedness. Students who are considering transferring to a four-year college should be aware that decisions on transferability of courses are made by the four-year colleges and differ from school to school. Students should contact the Transfer Services Office early in their academic program to determine which courses will transfer to the college of their choice.
Department of Business Studies
Penn 401 • Phone (215) 504-8227
Curriculum Code No. 2131
Medical Assistants work in medical practices, clinics, and hospitals. Medical Assistants have cross-training for both administrative and clinical responsibilities. Their administrative duties include keeping patient records, managing financial matters, handling insurance arrangements, processing correspondence, and managing an office. In the clinical setting, the medical assistant prepares and assists in patient examination, records laboratory data, and obtains patients' vital signs.
Prospective students with inadequate preparation should be aware that they may need additional time to acquire the necessary academic background. Prerequisites and co-requisites for the required courses must be followed.
Graduates of this program are able to
- perform basic administrative medical assisting functions including scheduling appointments, coding, managing accounts receivables and payables, and maintaining accounting records;
- perform basic clinical medical assisting functions including preparing and maintaining examination treatment areas, assisting with examinations, procedures and immunizations, collecting and processing specimens, performing diagnostic testing, and applying proper aseptic techniques;
- perform within legal and ethical boundaries; and
- display a professional manner and image.
Degree Course Requirements
| ACCT103 | Introductory Accounting | 3 |
| BIOL115 | Basic Human Anatomy | 3 |
| COMM110 | Effective Speaking D,3 | 3 |
| COMP110 | English Composition I A,D,1 | 3 |
| HLTH110 | Responding to Emergencies 2 | 3 |
| MEDA205 | Medical Law and Ethics | 3 |
| MEDA220 | Medical Assistant Externship D | 3 |
| MGMT120 | Business Math D,5 | 3 |
| OADM105 | Administrative Office Procedures I D | 3 |
| OADM110 | Business Communication A,D,1 | 3 |
| MEDA120 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| MEDA200 | Clinical Procedures I D | 3 |
| MEDA201 | Clinical Procedures II D | 3 |
| MEDA203 | Laboratory Procedures D | 3 |
| MEDA215 | Medical Administrative Procedures D | 3 |
| MEDA216 | Medical Insurance, Billing & Reimbursement D | 3 |
| MEDA275 | Medical Transcription I D | 3 |
| HITT297 | Medical Coding D | 3 |
| PSYC110 | Introduction to Psychology 4 | 3 |
| Cultural Perspective B | 3 | |
| INTG285 | Integration of Knowledge C,D,6 | 3 |
| 63 |
Recommended Semester Sequence
The recommended course sequence is designed for full-time students who average 15 credit hours per semester. Students may need more time to complete major requirements based on placement testing. This additional time will entail some adjustments to the sequence recommended.
First Semester |
||
| BIOL115 | Basic Human Anatomy | 3 |
| OADM105 | Administrative Office Procedures I D | 3 |
| MEDA120 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| MGMT120 | Business Math D | 3 |
| MEDA205 | Medical Law and Ethics | 3 |
| 15 | ||
Second Semester |
||
| MEDA215 | Medical Administrative Procedures D | 3 |
| COMP110 | English Composition I 1,D,A | 3 |
| MEDA275 | Medical Transcription I D | 3 |
| MEDA200 | Clinical Procedures I D | 3 |
| ACCT103 | Introductory Accounting | 3 |
| 15 | ||
Third Semester |
||
| MEDA203 | Laboratory Procedures D | 3 |
| OADM110 | Business Communication 1,D,A | 3 |
| MEDA216 | Medical Insurance, Billing & Reimbursemen D | 3 |
| MEDA201 | Clinical Procedures II D | 3 |
| HLTH110 | Responding to Emergencies 2 | 3 |
| COMM110 | Effective Speaking D,3 | 3 |
| 18 | ||
Fourth Semester |
||
| MEDA220 | Medical Assistant Externship D | 3 |
| HITT297 | Medical Coding D | 3 |
| INTG285 | Integration of Knowledge C,D | 3 |
| PSYC110 | Introduction to Psychology 4 | 3 |
| Cultural Perspective B | 3 | |
| 15 | ||
All students are required to pass OADM140 either by taking the course at Bucks County Community College or by passing the appropriate challenge test given by the Office Administration Area at the College. A competency of 35 w.p.m. with a 5-error maximum on a timed writing is required. OADM140 may be used as an elective course
A Placement testing required.
B Consult the list of courses approved for this subcategory.
C Any INTG course may be chosen.
D Course requires prerequisite.
1 Satisfies College Writing requirement.
2 Satisfies Personal Health.
3 Satisfies Creative Expression.
4 Satisfies Social Perspectives.
5 Satisfies College level Mathematics or Science.
6 Satisfies Intensive Writing requirement.
