Medical Assisting Degree (AAS)

Program Description

Are you interested in a career in health care, but are not sure where to begin? Medical assistants play a unique role, combining clinical training with administrative skills to work in the office, exam room, and medical lab. They work closely with patients and medical staff to provide excellent service and ensure a patient’s stay is as comfortable and beneficial as possible. Medical assistants are able to start working in the health care field with a shorter amount of formal training compared to a 4-year degree or medical school.

The Medical Assisting Program provides the administrative and clinical knowledge and skills necessary for employment as a Medical Assistant. This includes cognitive, psychomotor and affective skills essential for assisting physicians and other healthcare practitioners with many aspects of medical practice, including administrative and clinical procedures. Examples of administrative procedures taught in the program include: Electronic Medical Records (EMR) simulation; Medical insurance billing and referrals; diagnostic and procedural coding; daily financial practices; medical records and appointment management. Examples of clinical procedures explored in the program include direct patient care such as: obtaining patient vital signs; entering patient data into EMR’s; assisting with physical examinations, phlebotomy (blood draw), administering injections, performing electrocardiograms (EKG’s); instrument processing and assisting in sterile procedures.

Career Opportunities

Graduates may be hired in a variety of settings to perform routine administrative and clinical tasks to keep healthcare delivery running smoothly. The duties of Medical Assistants vary from office to office, depending on office location, size, and specialty. In small practices, Medical Assistants are usually generalists, handling both administrative and clinical duties and reporting directly to an office manager, physician, or other health practitioner. Those in large practices tend to specialize in a particular area under the supervision of department administrators. An experienced Medical Assistant might advance to office administrator or clinical lead Medical Assistant. According to the Bureau of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical Assistant Job Outlook through 2029 projects a 19% growth rate, which is much faster than the average of 4% for other occupations.

Other Options:

  • Medical Office Assistant
  • Health Unit Coordinator
  • Phlebotomy Technician
  • Patient Care Technician

Program Accreditation

The SPSCC Medical Assisting Certificate Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), 9355-113th St. N. #7709 Seminole, FL 33775, http://www.caahep.org/, on recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB), http://maerb.org.