Medical Assistant

Ms. Tracie Fuqua, Program Director
256.352.8307
jennifer.craig@wallacestate.edu

Associate in Applied Science Degree (4 semesters)

Certificate (3 Semesters)

At a Glance

Employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 16 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Medical Assistants are multi-skilled health professionals specifically educated to work in ambulatory setting performing administrative and clinical duties. The practice of medical assisting directly influences the public’s health and well-being, and requires mastery of a complex body of knowledge and specialized skills requiring both formal education and practical experience that serve as standards for entry into the profession.

Program Description

The Medical Assistant curriculum prepares the graduate to work in medical offices, outpatient clinics, and other healthcare facilities. Clinical duties include preparing the patient for routine and specialty examinations, taking patient histories and vital signs, assisting the provider with examinations and treatments, performing routine laboratory procedures and diagnostic tests, preparing, and administering medications as directed by the physician, and performing electrocardiograms. The associate degree option also includes basic radiography, microscopy and transcription. Assisting with telehealth visits is also included in the curriculum as well as performing first-aid and CPR. Administrative duties including scheduling and receiving patients, data entry, maintaining medical records, performing secretarial skills, handling telephone calls, and writing correspondence. The curriculum also includes serving as a liaison between the provider and other individuals, and assisting with practice finances, medical insurance authorizations and referrals. The Medical Assistant curriculum is an integrated program of study. General education courses and Medical Assistant classes may be taken at the same time. 

The Wallace State Community College-Hanceville Medical Assisting Certificate 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, 2339 N. California Ave. #47138, Chicago, IL 60647, (727) 210-2350. Graduates will be able to sit for the national certification examination for the Medical Assistant administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants Certification Board or the Registered Medical Assistant Examination administered by the American Medical Technologist in addition to other Medical Assistant credentialing examinations. AAMA Disciplinary Standards state that if a person is found guilty of a felony or has pled guilty to a felony, the individual will be ineligible to sit for the Certification Examination. The certifying board may grant a waiver based upon mitigating circumstances. After successful completion of the AAMA exam, the individual will be a Certified Medical Assistant CMA (AAMA).

Goals and Objectives

1. To prepare medical assistants who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession.
2. To prepare the student to work in a physician’s office or medical clinic where they can successfully utilize administrative and clinical skills and techniques. 
3. To teach the student to be professional at all times.
4. To teach the student in a manner that is applicable to “practical” work situations and encourage the development of critical thinking skills.
5. To teach the student appropriate knowledge and attitudes concerning the legal and ethical responsibilities of the profession. 
6. To teach the student how to function as a valuable member of the health care team.
7. To encourage all students to sit for a nationally recognized credential such as the CMA (AAMA) or RMA.
8. To encourage continuing education so the student will be aware of continuous changes in the health care field.

The Medical Assistant Program offers two alternatives for a student’s completion of classes: (NOTE: Actual program completion time may vary). 

1. Three (3) Semester Certificate option: A student will matriculate through the program taking MAT courses and required general education classes required for the certificate option in 3 semesters. 
2. Four (4) Semesters, Associate Degree program: Students will complete the Certificate option and then attend an additional semester to complete the other required classes for the Associate Degree. 

The Medical Assistant Program offers online/hybrid courses. 

Laboratory hours of all MAT classes must be completed on campus. Laboratory section assignments will be made based on space availability and may be day, afternoon, or evening. While lab section assignments are random, every effort will be made to avoid lab assignments that will conflict with other courses in which the student is enrolled. As a part of the program, students will be required to sit for a national credentialing examination and will also be enrolled as members of Skills USA.

Students should indicate on the program application, the option that they would like to choose to complete their degree. 

Admission Requirements

1. Unconditional admission to the college – College application must be submitted by the program application deadline. The MAT Program admits one time per year in fall (June 1 deadline). Applications are available beginning March 1^st. 
2. Student must be in good standing with the college.
3. Receipt of complete program applications accepted between March 1 and June 1 for fall entry. Applications received after the deadline will be considered on a space available basis.
4. The MAT program online applications are located on the program’s webpage at: https://www.wallacestate.edu/programs/health-division/medical-assistant
5. Online application instructions are under the Application to Program tab. All applicants are required to upload all necessary documentation for consideration. 
6. Official transcripts from each college attended must be provided to the Admissions Office and all unofficial transcripts must be uploaded.
7. Student must meet the essential functions and technical standards required for the program as documented on the required WSCC physical form at https://www.wallacestate.edu/programs/health-division-see Physical Form Essential Functions. 
8. A minimum of 17 ACT composite score (National or Residual) is required for admission consideration. Proof of score must be uploaded.
9. Must possess a minimum 2.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale for attempted general required program courses.

Selection and Notification

1. The Medical Assistant Program admits one time per year in the fall. 
2. Students are selected on the basis of completion of all program requirements prior to the deadline. If the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number of spaces available in the Medical Assistant program, the composite ACT score and GPA of general required program courses, equally weighted, will be used to rank applicants for admission.
3. Program applications will be reviewed for completion of program admission requirements. Written notification of program acceptance status will be sent to each applicant via information supplied on the program application. 
4. Following acceptance into the program, students must respond confirming their intent to enroll by using the internet link provided on their letter, by the deadline indicated on the letter. A student who fails to respond will forfeit his/her place in the class
5. Students selected for acceptance should attend the mandatory orientation session. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of their space in the class. 

Program Expectations

Students admitted into the Medical Assisting program are expected to comply with the Health Science Program Regulations and Expectations as published in the Programs of Study section of the Wallace State College Catalog.

Required Competencies

1. Administrative competencies (perform clerical functions, perform bookkeeping procedures, process insurance claims)
2. Clinical competencies (fundamental procedures, specimen collection, diagnostic testing, patient care)
3. General competencies (professional communications, legal concepts, patient instruction, operational functions)
4. A complete list of competencies (cognitive, psychomotor, and affective) is available in the MAT Student Handbook. 

Upon Admission

1. Medical Assistant students are required to submit an annual physical examination form, including proof of Hepatitis B and other vaccinations by the designated deadline in order to be allowed into clinical facilities. 
2. Students are required to submit proof of current CPR certification before they will be allowed into clinical facilities. Only CPR courses that provide certification for Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider will be accepted. Online courses are not accepted. 
3. Accident and liability insurance, available through the College, is required of all Medical Assistant students.
4. Medical Assistant students are required to undergo Background Screening and Drug Testing according to Health Science Division policy.
5. Medical Assisting students must comply with the Alabama Infected Health Care Worker Act.
6. Students are required to submit proof of personal health insurance during the semester prior to clinical practicum rotation and to maintain coverage while performing their clinical rotation.

Career Path 

The Medical Assistant curriculum prepares students to function as allied-health professionals in a physician’s office or outpatient clinic. Other career opportunities include medical office management, administrative work in hospitals, insurance claims associate, teaching and research.

Medical assistants work primarily in outpatient settings, a rapidly growing sector of the health care industry. In view of the preference of many health care employers for trained personnel, job prospects should be best for medical assistants with formal training or experience, particularly for those with certification. Earnings vary, depending on experience, skill level, and location. The median annual wage for medical assistants was $42,000 in 2023. (Source: U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics) The WSCC Medical Assisting Program courses will be accepted for transfer to Athens State University in the Bachelor Degree in Health Science and the University of Alabama at Birmingham in the Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management. Please consult Alabama Transfers guide for the latest information.

Preceptorship 

Students of the Medical Assistant Program will not receive payment or compensation in any form, monetary or otherwise, for experiences performed during the preceptorship. Students will be supervised while taking the Medical Assistant Preceptorship course.

Progression

Students must maintain a grade of “C” or better in all major required courses and the general required Math course to progress in the Medical Assisting courses. Math must be completed prior to taking MAT 214 Medical Assisting Pharmacology. A student who “stops out” from the program must return to complete courses within 15 months of stopping out, or will have to re-apply to the program and be accepted in addition to repeating MAT courses in order to stay up to date in the field of study. 

Readmission to Program

Students who withdraw or are dismissed from the program must apply for re-admission. Students will be readmitted one time only. If 15 months have elapsed since the students last coursework was completed, MAT courses must be repeated to stay up to date in the field. 

Advance Placement Policy

Work experience college credit is not awarded for medical assisting courses.  There is no advanced placement in Medical Assisting. Transfer credits are awarded according to Wallace State Community College Transcript Credit Policy as published in the catalog.   

NOTE: All courses with the HIT prefix must be completed at WSCC.