Medical Assisting, Diploma (MA22) (510801)  Diploma


Campus Locations: Moultrie (Veterans Parkway), Thomasville, Tifton

Medical Assisting is a five (5) semester diploma program that trains the student for administrative and clinical duties, primarily in physicians’ offices or clinics. Clinical skills include taking vital signs, obtaining medical histories, performing basic lab tests, sterilizing instruments, administering medications, and assisting the physician. Administrative skills include answering phones, scheduling appointments, filing medical and insurance reports, arranging for hospital admissions and laboratory services. The Medical Assisting diploma program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

Length of Program: One (1) semester of prerequisite courses and Four (4) semesters of occupational courses

Minimum Expectations: MAST Minimum Expectations

Entrance Date: Beginning of each term for general education courses; however, all prerequisite courses (ALHS 1011 –Structure and Function of the Human Body, MATH 1012 – Foundations of Mathematics, and ALHS 1090 – Medical Terminology for AHS) must be successfully completed prior to beginning certain cohort occupational courses.

Program Admission: Moultrie: Fall Semester; Thomasville: Spring Semester; Tifton: Spring Semester.

Entrance Requirements: Refer to Admissions criteria. Contact Advisor or Admissions for details. Click for Entrance Score Requirements.

Age: Applicant must be 18 years of age or older, prior to first clinical course.

Education: An applicant must be a high school graduate or the equivalent (GED). College transcripts will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Additional Requirements: American Heart Healthcare Provider CPR Certification, First Aid Certification, Drug Toxicology, Physical Exam, Current Immunizations, Criminal Background Check. TB Screening.

Medical Assisting Occupational Risks: The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission reports that workers in the healthcare industry have a high incidence of injury and illness and medical assistants are likely to encounter a number of workplace hazards while performing their duties, such as exposure to infectious diseases, injuries from sharps, back injuries and latex allergy. Medical assisting can be a mentally stressful and physically challenging career.  However, it can also be a very rewarding profession to work in.

Note: As of January 2001, felons are not eligible to sit for the Medical Assisting Certification Examination unless granted a waiver by the Certifying Board. The waiver would be based on one or more mitigating circumstances listed in the Disciplinary Standards. Disciplinary standards are available in the office of the Southern Regional Technical College Medical Assisting Program Director.

In order for a student to graduate, he/she must sit for the Certified Medical Assistant Exam prior to graduation.

Program Final Exit Point: Medical Assisting, Diploma. Eligible to apply for additional national certification exams.

Note: Certain Credits from this program may be applied to the Medical Assisting degree program.

Program Outcomes:

The Medical Assisting Program at Southern Regional Technical College reports the following outcome data from the 2023 Annual Report.

  • Student retention rate: overall 5-year average for 2018 - 2022 is 86.11%.
  • Exam passage rate: overall 5-year average for 2018 - 2022 is 81.61%.
  • Graduate satisfaction: overall 5-year average for 2018 - 2022 is 100%.
  • Employer satisfaction: overall 5-year average for 2018 - 2022 is 97.22%.

Credits Required for Graduation: 56 minimum semester hour credits required for graduation.

Accreditation Information: The Southern Regional Technical College Medical Assisting Diploma Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB). Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, 9355 - 113th St. N, #7709, Seminole, FL 33775, 727-210-2350 (www.caahep.org). The program was last reviewed June 2017.

Cost
Admissions Fees: $384.00
Books: $625.30
Tuition: $1,391.00
Total: $2,400.30
Admissions Fees: $379.00
Books: $539.20
Tuition: $1,391.00
Total: $2,309.20
Admissions Fees: $379.00
Books: $438.60
Program Fees: $350.00
Tuition: $1,391.00
Total: $2,558.60
Admissions Fees: $379.00
Program Fees: $130.00
Tuition: $963.00
Total: $1,472.00
Admissions Fees: $379.00
Books: $142.10
Graduation Fee: $40.00
Program Fees: $132.00
Tuition: $963.00
Total: $1,656.10
Curriculum Outline (56 hours)
1: General Core Courses 9
Area I: Language Arts/Communications (3 Hours) 3
ENGL 1010

Emphasizes the development and improvement of written and oral communication abilities. Topics include analysis of writing, applied grammar and writing skills, editing and proofreading skills, research skills, and oral communication skills.

3
Area II: Social/Behavioral Sciences (3 Hours) 3
PSYC 1010

Pre-requisite(s): Entrance exam reading and writing scores in accordance with approved TCSG admission score levels Presents basic concepts within the field of psychology and their application to everyday human behavior, thinking, and emotion. Emphasis is placed on students understanding basic psychological principles and their application within the context of family, work and social interactions. Topics include an overview of psychology as a science, the nervous and sensory systems, learning and memory, motivation and emotion, intelligence, lifespan development, personality, psychological disorders and their treatments, stress and health, and social psychology.

3
Area III: Natural Sciences/Mathematics (3 Hours) 3
MATH 1012

Emphasizes the application of basic mathematical skills used in the solution of occupational and technical problems. Topics include fractions, decimals, percents, ratios and proportions, measurement and conversion, geometric concepts, technical applications, and basic statistics.

3
2: Institutional Credit (3 hours) 3
COLL 1500

This course is designed to provide tools to assist students to acquire skills necessary to achieve academic and professional success in their chosen occupational/ technical program of study. Topics include: Getting off to a Good Start, Learning and Personality Styles, Time and Money Management, Study and Test Taking Skills, Stress Management and Wellness, Communications Skills, Career Exploration, Research Skills, College Campus Knowledge, Memory & Reading Skills, Presentation & Interview Skills, and Group Skills. Effective Fall 2016, students who already have an Associate Degree or higher will be given exemption credit for the COLL 1500 course.

3
3: Occupational Courses 44
ALHS 1090

Pre-requisite(s): Provisional Admission Introduces the elements of medical terminology. Emphasis is placed on building familiarity with medical words through knowledge of roots, prefixes, and suffixes. Topics include: origins (roots, prefixes, and suffixes), word building, abbreviations and symbols, and terminology related to the human anatomy.

2
ALHS 1011

Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Focuses on basic normal structure and function of the human body. Topics include general plan and function of the human body, integumentary system, skeletal system, muscular system, nervous and sensory systems, endocrine system, cardiovascular system, lymphatic system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, and reproductive system.

5
COMP 1000

Introduces the fundamental concepts, terminology, and operations necessary to use computers. Emphasis is placed on basic functions and familiarity with computer use. Topics include an introduction to computer and digital terminology, and usage, operating systems, Internet and digital communication, word processing applications, spreadsheet applications, database applications, and presentation applications.

3
MAST 1030

Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission, (MATH 1012 or Degree Level Mathematics Course) Pre/Co-requisite: MAST 1120 Introduces medication therapy with emphasis on safety; classification of medications; their actions; side effects; medication and food interactions and adverse reactions. Also introduces basic methods of arithmetic used in the administration of medications. Topics include: introductory pharmacology; dosage calculation; sources and forms of medications; medication classification; and medication effects on the body systems.

4
MAST 1060

Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission, MAST 1030 and students must be able to type 32 wpm or have taken BUSN 1100 Co-requisite: MAST 1080 and MAST 1100 Emphasizes essential skills required for the medical practice. Topics include: office protocol, time management, appointment scheduling, medical office equipment, medical references, mail services, medical records, and professional communication.

4
MAST 1100

Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission, MAST 1030. Co-requisite: MAST 1060, MAST 1080 Emphasizes essential skills required for the medical practice. Topics include: managed care, reimbursement, and coding.

2
MAST 1080

Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission, ALHS 1011 and ALHS 1090, MAST 1030 Co-requisite(s): MAST 1060, MAST 1100 Introduces the skills necessary for assisting the physician with a complete history and physical in all types of medical practices. The course includes skills necessary for sterilizing instruments and equipment and setting up sterile trays. The student also explores the theory and practice of electrocardiography. Topics include: infection control and related OSHA guidelines; prepare patients/assist physician with age and gender-specific examinations and diagnostic procedures; vital signs/ mensuration; medical office surgical procedures and electrocardiography.

4
MAST 1120

Pre/Co-requisite(s): ALHS 1090 Pre-Requisite: ALHS 1011 Provides fundamental information concerning common diseases and disorders of each body system. For each system, the disease or disorder is highlighted inlcuding: description, etiology, signs and symptoms, diagnostic procedures, treatment, management, prognosis, and prevention. Topics include: introduction to disease and diseases of body systems.

3
MAST 1010

Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission and MAST 1080 Introduces the basic concept of medical assisting and its relationship to the other health fields. Emphasizes medical ethics, legal aspects of medicine, and the medical assistant*s role as an agent of the physician. Provides the student with knowledge of medical jurisprudence and the essentials of professional behavior. Topics include: introduction to medical assisting; introduction to medical law; physician/patient/assistant relationship; medical office in litigation; as well as ethics, bioethical issues and HIPAA.

2
MAST 1090

Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission, MAST 1080. Co-requisite: MAST 1010, MAST 1110 Pre/Co-requisite: PSYC 1010 or PSYC 1101 Furthers student knowledge of the more complex activities in a physician's office. Topics include: collection/examination of specimens and CLIA regulations/risk management; urinalysis; venipuncture; hematology and chemistry evaluations; advanced reagent testing (Strep Test, HcG etc); administration of medications; medical office emergency procedures and emergency preparedness; respiratory evaluations; rehabilitative therapy procedures; principles of radiology safety and maintenance of medication and immunization records.

4
MAST 1110

Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission, MAST 1080. Co-requisite: MAST 1010, MAST 1090 Emphasizes essential skills required for the medical practice in the areas of computers and medical transcription. Topics include: medical transcription/ electronic health records; application of computer skills; integration of medical terminology; accounting procedures; and application of software.

3
MAST 1170

Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission, MAST 1010, MAST 1030, MAST 1060, MAST 1080, MAST 1090, MAST 1100, MAST 1110, MAST 1120 Co-requisite: MAST 1180 Provides students with an opportunity for in-depth application and reinforcement of principles and techniques in a medical office job setting. This clinical practicum allows the student to become involved in a work setting at a professional level of technical application and requires concentration, practice, and follow-through. Topics include: application of classroom knowledge and skills and functioning in the work environment.

4
MAST 1180

Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission, MAST 1010, MAST 1030, MAST 1060, MAST 1080, MAST 1090, MAST 1100, MAST 1110, MAST 1120 Co-requisite(s): MAST 1170 Seminar focuses on job preparation and maintenance skills and review for the certification examination. Topics include: letters of application, resumes, completing a job application, job interviews, follow-up letter/call, letters of resignation and review of program competencies for employment and certification.

4
Faculty
Program Chair

Medical Assisting Program Chair
School of Health Sciences
Thomasville

15689 U.S. 19, Thomasville, GA 31792
Advisor

Medical Assisting Faculty
School of Health Sciences
Tifton

52 Tech Drive, Tifton, GA 31794
Advisor

Medical Assisting Faculty and Exposure Control Coordinator
School of Health Sciences
Moultrie Veterans Parkway

800 Veterans Parkway North, Moultrie, GA 31788
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