Medical Assistant

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Major Description

Dakota County Technical College's Medical Assistant Program is accredited by CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs) on recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board. The medical assistant is a professional, multi-skilled person dedicated to assisting in patient care management. This program is a one-year program, including an unpaid seven-week externship in the final semester.

Program Delivery

Students can start full-time in the Fall for the on-campus program and full-time in January for the online enhanced program. Students may begin part-time any semester.

Nature of Work

The program prepares graduates to assist doctors with examinations and treatments, take medical histories, perform diagnostic tests, sterilize instruments and supplies, assist with minor surgery and administer medications. Office work may include answering phones, making appointments, working with medical records, correspondence and completing insurance forms. The laboratory work may include specimen collection and completing routine lab work done in doctor's offices, like urinalysis, microbiology, blood work, ECG and X-ray.

Career Opportunities

Graduates assist primary care physicians and specialists in clinics ranging from single physician to large multi-specialty clinics. Opportunities may be available in other health care industries in a variety of areas. This occupation is listed by the U.S. Department of Labor as one of the fastest-growing careers in the United States.

Advanced Standing

Previous college courses, certification, licensure and training may be considered for credit in the major. The responsibility for seeking credit rests with the student and can be initiated by completing the course SMGT2950 Prior Experiential Learning Portfolio Development (1 elective credit)

After DCTC

DCTC has transfer agreements for this program with the following colleges: Southwest State University and Saint Mary's University. See Transfer Credits for more information.

Professional Organizations

The American Association of Medical Assistants has a chapter in Minnesota and a local chapter in the south suburban area to allow the students to have a professional organization to affiliate with while in school. There is a national certification test that is taken at the completion of the program for the Certified Medical Assistant title.

Admissions Requirements

Students applying to the Medical Assistant program must meet the requirements identified on the DCTC Admissions Checklist. Students must have a high school diploma or GED to be accepted into the program. This credential is required because of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment of 1988 (federal law) that states no one can practice in a laboratory without a high school diploma or GED.

Other Requirements

The student will be required to begin the Hepatitis B vaccination series or sign a declination statement before beginning invasive procedures in the first semester. The student will be required to show proof of immunization prior to their externship course.

Course Prerequisites

Students must score 66 or above on the Reading Comprehension portion of the ACCUPLACER test in order to register for MDAS courses. It is recommended that students who score below 66 on this portion of the test, take a reading intensive course like ENGL0123 Medical Reading and Study Skills to help raise their score.

Students who score below 38 on the arithmetic portion of the ACCUPLACER test will be required to take MATS0200 Basic Math or MATS0334 Independent Math prior to enrolling or concurrent with HEAL1150 Health Careers Math.

Student Outcomes

  1. Graduates of this program will be prepared for immediate employment in the medical assisting field.
  2. Graduates will be able to successfully take and pass the national certification exam.
  3. Graduates will be experienced in medical office protocol and this transition will familiarize them with the world of work.
  4. See General Education outcome statements

Academic Advisor

Dean

  • Sherralyn Cox
    Dean of Design and Health/Human Services

Faculty

Patrice Nadeau 651-423-8355 patrice.nadeau@dctc.edu BIO Blog
Margaret Noirjean 651-423-8540 margaret.noirjean@dctc.edu BIO Blog
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