COMING SOON
The Medical Assistant curriculum covers administrative duties including scheduling and receiving patients, preparing and maintaining medical records, performing secretarial skills, handling telephone calls and writing correspondence, serving as a liaison between the physician and other individuals, and managing practice finances. Clinical duties include preparing the patient for examination, taking patient histories and vital signs, performing first aid and CPR, assisting the physician with examinations and treatments, performing routine laboratory procedures and diagnostic tests, preparing and administering medications as directed by the physician, and performing electrocardiograms and basic radiography. The program offers both a certificate and an associate in applied science.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- Must be in good standing with Gadsden State
- Must maintain a C or better on all general and pre-MAT courses
- Must have at least a 2.0 GPA on general education courses
- Must pass a criminal and consumer background check
- Must pass a drug test
- Must meet the essential functions required by the MAT program
The essential functions* delineated are those deemed necessary by the Alabama Community College System medical assistant programs. No representation regarding industrial standards is implied. Similarly, any reasonable accommodations made will be determined and applied to the respective medical assistant program and may vary from reasonable accommodations made by healthcare employers. The essential functions delineated below are necessary for medical assistant program admission, progression and graduation, and for the provision of safe and effective medical assistant care. The essential functions for medical assistant students include, but are not limited to, the ability to:
Sensory Perception
- Visual
- Observe and discern subtle changes in physical conditions and the environment
- Visualize different color spectrums and color changes
- Read fine print in varying levels of light
- Read for prolonged periods of time
- Read cursive writing
- Read at varying distances
- Read data/information displayed on monitors/equipment
- Auditory
- Interpret monitoring devices
- Distinguish muffled sounds heard through a stethoscope
- Hear and discriminate high and low frequency sounds produced by the body and the environment
- Effectively hear to communicate with others
- Tactile
- Discern tremors, vibrations, pulses, textures, temperature, shapes, size, location and other physical characteristics.
- Olfactory
- Detect body odors and odors in the environment
Communication/Interpersonal Relationships
- Verbally and in writing, engage in a two-way communication and interact effectively with others, from a variety of social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds
- Work effectively in groups
- Work effectively independently
- Discern and interpret nonverbal communication
- Express one's ideas and feelings clearly
- Communicate with others accurately in a timely manner
- Obtain communications from a computer
- Possess cognitive/critical thinking skills
- Effectively read, write, and comprehend the English language
- Consistently and dependably engage in the process of critical thinking in order to formulate and implement safe and ethical medical assistant decisions in a variety of health care settings
- Demonstrate satisfactory performance on written examinations including mathematical computations without a calculator
- Satisfactorily achieve the program objectives
Motor Function
- Handle small delicate equipment/objects without extraneous movement, contamination or destruction
- Move, position, turn, transfer, and lift/carry/assist with lifting clients without injury to clients, self, or others
- Maintain balance from any position
- Stand on both legs
- Coordinate hand/eye movements
- Push/pull heavy objects without injury to client, self or others
- Stand, bend, walk and/or sit for 6-12 hours in a clinical setting performing physical activities requiring energy without jeopardizing the safety of the client, self or others
- Walk without a cane, walker or crutches
- Function with hands free for medical assistant care and transporting items
- Transport self and client without the use of electrical devices
- Flex, abduct, and rotate all joints freely
- Respond rapidly to emergency situations
- Maneuver in small areas
- Perform daily care functions for the client
- Coordinate fine and gross motor hand movements to provide safe effective medical assistant care.
- Calibrate/use equipment
- Execute movement required to provide medical assistant care in all health care settings
- Perform CPR and physical assessment
- Operate a computer
Professional Behavior
- Convey caring, respect, sensitivity, tact, compassion, empathy, tolerance, and a healthy attitude toward others
- Demonstrate a mentally healthy attitude that is age appropriate in relationship to the client
- Handle multiple tasks concurrently
- Perform safe, effective medical assistant care for clients in a caring context
- Understand and follow the policies and procedures of the College and clinical agencies
- Understand the consequences of violating the Student Code of Conduct
- Understand that posing a direct threat to others is unacceptable and subjects one to discipline
- Meet qualifications for licensure by examination as stipulated by the Alabama Board of Medical assistant
- Not pose a threat to self or others
- Function effectively in situations of uncertainty and stress inherent in providing medical assistant care
- Adapt to changing environments and situations
- Remain free of chemical dependency
- Report promptly to clinical and remain for 6-12 hours on the clinical unit
- Provide medical assistant care in an appropriate time frame
- Accept responsibility, accountability, and ownership of one's actions
- Seek supervision/consultation in a timely manner
- Examine and modify one's own behavior when it interferes with medical assistant care or learning
- Ability to make critical decisions in chaotic, disruptive, and complex environments
* The Americans with Disabilities Act requires colleges and universities to inform students of all performance expectations related to their job and school performance. In accordance with College policy, when requested, reasonable accommodations may be provided for individuals with disabilities. Requests for reasonable accommodations should be directed to the program director.
