Program Mission

The mission of the medical assisting department is to provide quality instruction in medical assisting leading to certificates of completion in Administrative Medical Assisting, Clinical Medical Assisting, Medical Insurance Billing and the Medical Assisting Administrative/Clinical Associate of Science Degree.

The Medical Assisting staff is committed to ensuring that the students’ educational experience provides the necessary medical Assisting skill competencies required for entry-level employment in a medical office, clinic, or related health care facility, and the competencies required to pass the national certification examination sponsored by the American Association of Medical Assistants through CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs).

Description of job for which program prepares students

To obtain employment in a physician’s office or related out-patient facility performing administrative and/or clinical skills.  Students will develop the entry-level competencies required by the American Association of Medical Assistants.

Recommended program preparation

          q  CIS 100: Introduction to Information Systems and Microcomputer Applications

Associate of Science – Certificate program

Students may receive a Certificate of Achievement in Administrative Medical Assisting, Clinical Medical Assisting, or a Certificate of Completion in Medical Insurance Billing.

Students may receive an Associate of Science degree Medical Assisting.

Does the program transfer?

Many units of the may transfer to degrees in Health Science, Community Health, or Health Care Administration.

Procedure for program admittance

Enroll in first semester courses as space is available.

Program start

Fall semester of each school year.

Employment possibilities upon program completion

Medical offices, clinics, laboratories, out-patient facilities, business offices, medical-surgical sales, computer companies, military.

Employment prospects

Excellent

Salary

Starting salary range: $12 -$15/hour.

Length of program

One year: Fall and spring semesters plus one summer clinical session.

Spaces available

36, however clinical space is limited

Background checks

All students will be required to submit an application for pre-clinical background check.  The background check will include Social Security number, address verification, a two-county felony criminal history, a State sex offender search, and a Medicare/Medicare Sanctioned Fraud List verification (OIG/GSA) search.  The background checks will be performed by a service provided by the District and must be completed prior to beginning of the first clinical rotation.  The student understands that the results of background checks must be provided to the clinical sites before patient care or clinical work commences.

Clinical requirements

The program requires that students participate in scheduled course clinical experience concurrent with classroom courses. Clinical assignments provide students with hands-on application of knowledge and skills learned in the classroom and laboratory courses at OCC contracted hospitals, medical centers, and/or outpatient facilities.  It is the responsibility of each student to provide his or her own transportation to assigned clinical sites.

Just prior to entry into clinical, students are required to complete/obtain:

          q  A physical examination

          q  Criminal background check clearance

          q  CPR, HIPAA training, Blood borne pathogen training provided through Al H 115

          q  Student liability insurance

Students must adhere to appropriate required dress code which may include a laboratory coat, nametag, and other program specific requirements.

Clinical sites may require drug testing or other blood work.  There may be exposure to hazardous materials or pathogens in the clinical setting.  Students will adhere to all safety and precautionary measures.  The student receives no financial compensation for clinical experience, but does receive course units as a required class in the program.

Accreditation of program

This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) on recommendation of the Curriculum Review Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants’ Endowment (AAMAE). For more information, go to www.cccahep.org.

Contact information

Dan Adelmann, Allied Health Advisor

Office: C&L 114 B

dadelmann@occ.cccd.edu

714-432-5541 
714-432-5702 appts

Allied Health Programs Assistant
Jane McLaughlin
jmclaughlin@occ.cccd.edu
714-432-5729