Program Information
The medical field is one of the fastest-growing industries in the nation. As more doctors open offices or join established practices, the need for well-trained assistants increases. Medical assistants shoulder huge responsibilities. A day’s work could include: scheduling appointments, preparing patients for examination, recording vital signs, arranging hospital admissions, handling lab specimens, sterilizing instruments, calling in prescriptions, drawing blood, handling insurance, removing sutures, and taking electrocardiograms.
Medical assistant employment is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations as the health services industry expands. The increasing number of group practices, clinics, and other health care facilities drives employment growth for support personnel, particularly the flexible medical assistant.
After completing the Medical Assisting program, the student earns a Certificate of Technology and is eligible to sit for three exams. These include the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) exam to earn the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) certification, the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) exam to earn a certificate from the American Medical Technologists (AMT), and the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) exam to earn the National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) certification.
Program Accreditation
The San Jacinto College Medical Assisting 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) (http://maerb.org).
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
9355-113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
Telephone: 727-210-2350
Fax: 727-210-2350
www.caahep.org
Career Opportunities
The San Jacinto College Medical Assisting Certificate of Technology prepares students for careers in the offices of:
- Physicians,
- Podiatrists,
- Chiropractors,
- Ophthalmologists, and
- Other health practitioners.
Earning Potential
Medical Assistant: $38,688 per year1
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Source: texaswages.com , median salary Gulf Coast region, 2022
For more information, students may contact one of the following:
281-459-5410 or email chris.mendoza@sjcd.edu
281-998-6150, x7301 medicalassisting@sjcd.edu
Links
Students may refer to the College website regarding Medical Assisting for more information.
Campus
North Campus
Information
The Medical Assisting program is designed to train medical assistant personnel to perform both administrative and clinical duties and to report directly to an office manager, physician, or other health practitioner. Administrative duties may include answering telephones, greeting patients, updating and filing patient medical records, filling out insurance forms, scheduling appointments, handling billing, and bookkeeping. Clinical duties vary according to state law but can include taking medical histories and recording vital signs, explaining treatment procedures to patients, preparing patients for examination, and assisting physicians during examination.
After completing the Medical Assisting program, the student earns a Certificate of Technology and is eligible to sit for three exams. These include the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) exam to earn the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) certification, the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) exam to earn a certificate from the American Medical Technologists (AMT), and the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) exam to earn the National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) certification.
Students enrolling into San Jacinto College programs with external learning experiences (i.e., clinical, practicum, externship, cooperative, etc.) will be required to comply with the immunization requirements and policies of the clinical/external learning sites to engage in all clinical/external learning experiences. Vaccination requirements at clinical/external learning sites are implemented pursuant to the independent authority of such facilities and are not mandated by San Jacinto College. Failure to meet the immunization requirements mandated by clinical/external learning sites may limit a student’s ability to complete the program and/or may delay the student’s graduation date. San Jacinto College does not process exemptions, and students should address potential vaccination exemptions directly with the clinical/external learning site.
Students may view the application packet and student handbook online at the Medical Assisting webpage.
The Medical Assistant program offers two enrollments per calendar year: summer and fall semesters. This is an open enrollment program that has no prerequisites, and students must be a current, enrolled student with San Jacinto College to apply.
In accordance with Texas House Bill 1508, the College informs all students in this program who may have a criminal background that a criminal history could keep graduates from being licensed by the state of Texas. Students with any questions about their background and licensure may speak with the Department Chair.
Plan of Study
4MED-ASST
| First Term | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| MDCA 1313 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| POFT 1301 | Business English | 3 |
| MDCA 1309 | Anatomy and Physiology for Medical Assistants 1 | 3 |
| MDCA 1421 | Administrative Procedures | 4 |
| MDCA 1343 | Medical Insurance | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Second Term | ||
| MDCA 1205 | Medical Law and Ethics | 2 |
| MDCA 1302 | Human Disease/Pathophysiology | 3 |
| MDCA 1448 | Pharmacology and Administration of Medications | 4 |
| MDCA 1310 | Medical Assistant Interpersonal and Communication Skills | 3 |
| MDCA 1417 | Procedures in a Clinical Setting | 4 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Summer Year One Term | ||
| MDCA 1254 | Medical Assisting Credentialing Exam Review | 2 |
| MDCA 1560 | Clinical - Medical/Clinical Assistant | 5 |
| Credits | 7 | |
| Total Credits | 39 | |
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Students who have taken BIOL 2301 Anatomy and Physiology I (Lecture)/BIOL 2101 Anatomy and Physiology I (Lab) AND BIOL 2302 Anatomy and Physiology II (Lecture)/BIOL 2102 Anatomy and Physiology II (Lab); OR BIOL 2404 Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology (lecture & lab) may substitute one of those lecture/lab sequences for MDCA 1309 Anatomy and Physiology for Medical Assistants.
External Experience: MDCA 1560 Clinical - Medical/Clinical Assistant
Note: Students must pass each course listed in the certificate for Medical Assistant with a grade of C or higher to be eligible to receive a certificate of technology.