Medical Assistant
Certificate Program
Students pursuing programs in the medical office laboratory area are required to complete an Essential Functions form prior to registering for courses
The 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 Advising and Transfer Center early in their academic program to determine which course will transfer to the college of their choice.
School of Health Sciences, Kinesiology, and Sport Studies
Founders Hall 112 • Phone 215-968-8353 (option 3)
Curriculum Code No. 3199
The Medical Assistant Certificate program offers complete training for students to receive a Certificate with specialization in clinical and administrative medical assisting. Medical Assistants assist physicians and patients in medical offices, clinics, and hospital outpatient departments.
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, drawing blood, collecting and processing specimens, performing diagnostic testing, and applying proper aseptic techniques;
- perform within legal and ethical boundaries; and
- demonstrate effective communication strategies in clinical settings.
MEDA 220-the clinical externship- is scheduled Monday through Friday during the day. There are no weekend or evening clinical site hours. Students must complete a total of 160 hours, with a minimum three-day-a-week availability recommended.
Prior to Externship placement, students must submit (at their own expense):
- Requests for federal and state background checks
- Child Abuse History Clearance Form
- Certification of Health Status
- Certification in CPR: Health Care Provider (AHA-BLS)
- A mandatory 10-panel expanded opiates drug screen to be completed no sooner than 30 days before the start of the externship.
Certificate Requirements
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| BIOL115 Basic Human Anatomy A,C | 3 |
| COLL101 Orientation to College | 1 |
| COMM105 Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| HITT297 Medical Coding A | 3 |
| MEDA120 Medical Terminology B | 3 |
| MEDA140 College Keyboarding and Document Processing B | 3 |
| MEDA200 Clinical Procedures I A | 3 |
| MEDA201 Clinical Procedures II A | 3 |
| MEDA203 Laboratory Procedures A | 3 |
| MEDA205 Medical Law and Ethics | 3 |
| MEDA215 Medical Administrative Procedures A | 3 |
| MEDA216 Medical Insurance, Billing, & Reimbursement A | 3 |
| MEDA220 Medical Assistant Externship A | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours | 38 |
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
Summer Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| COLL101 Orientation to College | 1 |
| MEDA120 Medical Terminology B | 3 |
| Total | 4 |
Fall Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| BIOL115 Basic Human Anatomy A,C | 3 |
| MEDA140 College Keyboarding and Document Processing B | 3 |
| MEDA200 Clinical Procedures I A | 3 |
| MEDA205 Medical Law and Ethics | 3 |
| MEDA216 Medical Insurance, Billing, & Reimbursement A | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
Spring Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| COMM105 Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| HITT297 Medical Coding A | 3 |
| MEDA201 Clinical Procedures II A | 3 |
| MEDA203 Laboratory Procedures A | 3 |
| MEDA215 Medical Administrative Procedures A | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
Summer Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| MEDA220 Medical Assistant Externship.A | 4 |
| Total | 4 |
A Course requires a prerequisite or corequisite.
B Open to credit by examination.
C Placement testing required