Medical Assisting Associate in Science Degree Program

Program Overview

Medical Assisting Associate in Science Degree Program

Related Degrees & Certificates

• AS Associate in Science Degree Program
  • Medical Billing Specialist | 60 units
  • CA Certificate of Achievement
  • Medical Administrative Assistant | 21 units
  • Medical Assisting | 35 units
  • Medical Billing Specialist | 21 units
  • Medical Coding Specialist | 18 units

Career Opportunities

The field of Medical Assisting is one of the fastest growing occupations in this decade. Career opportunities for the well-trained medical assistant are plentiful. Graduates of Cañada’s program secure employment in physician’s offices, clinic, hospitals, labs, medical publication firms, laboratories, pharmaceutical firms, public health agencies, and the claims departments of health insurance companies. Recommended high school preparation: written and oral communication skills, typing, biology, psychology, and basic mathematics.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students completing this program will be able to:

• Apply their education and training to begin employment in health care.
• Use updated job skills to maintain or advance in current employment.

Program Overview

The ability to work well with people, be well organized, and be emphatic in dealing with patients are essential qualities in a medical assistant. The Medical Assisting program at Cañada is designed to provide the finest training and experience available. Through the expertise of a talented faculty and exposure to professionals in the field, students can expect to learn administrative duties such as medical/financial records management, medical report transcription, patient appointment scheduling, and clinical duties including preparation of patients for examination, assistance with minor surgery, giving injections, and operating electrocardiographs.

Requirements

AS Degree Requirements Major: Core and Selective Requirements

Complete Core Courses, 35 units

• BIOL 130 | Human Biology | 3 units
• MEDA 100 | Introduction to Medical Assisting | 3 units
• MEDA 110 | Medical Terminology | 3 units
• MEDA 115 | Introduction to Electronic Health Record | 3 units
• MEDA 120 | Clinical Procedures I | 4 units
• MEDA 121 | Clinical Procedures II | 4 units
• MEDA 140 | Implementation of Electronic Health Record | 3 units
• MEDA 150 | Medical Office Procedures | 3 units
• MEDA 160 | Medical Insurance Procedures | 3 units
• MEDA 190 | Introduction to Pharmacology | 3 units
• MEDA 672 | Work Experience Education: Internship | 3 units

Total Required Major Units: 35

And required General Education coursework and electives as needed to meet the minimum 60 units required for the Associate degree.

Please refer to the AA/AS Degree Requirements for more information.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Medical Assisting Associate in Science (AS) degree program at Cañada College prepares students for employment in various healthcare settings. The program equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary to perform both administrative and clinical duties in the medical field.

Objectives:

• Provide comprehensive training in medical assisting to prepare students for employment in healthcare settings.
• Enable students to apply their education and training to secure employment or advance in their current roles.

Program Description:

The Medical Assisting program emphasizes the development of essential qualities such as empathy, organizational skills, and strong interpersonal abilities. Through a combination of classroom instruction, hands-on training, and exposure to professionals in the field, students acquire a wide range of proficiencies.

Administrative Duties:

• Medical/financial records management
• Medical report transcription
• Patient appointment scheduling

Clinical Duties:

• Preparing patients for examinations
• Assisting with minor surgeries

Careers:

Graduates of the Medical Assisting program have ample career opportunities in various healthcare settings, including:

• Physician's offices
• Clinics
• Hospitals
• Labs
• Medical publication firms
• Laboratories
• Pharmaceutical firms
• Public health agencies
• Health insurance companies (claims departments)

Recommended High School Preparation:

• Written and oral communication skills
• Typing
• Biology
• Psychology
• Basic mathematics