Program Overview
The Medical Assisting Program at Elgin Community College prepares students for a career as a Medical Assistant in various healthcare settings. The program includes administrative duties such as scheduling appointments and billing, as well as clinical duties like taking vital signs and administering medications. Students must complete all required courses with a grade of C or better and provide their own uniforms and equipment. Upon completion, students are eligible to take a certification exam and work in medical offices, clinics, and other healthcare facilities.
Program Outline
Outline:
The Medical Assisting Program at Elgin Community College is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to work as a Medical Assistant in a variety of healthcare settings, including outpatient or ambulatory care facilities, such as medical offices and clinics. Medical Assistants perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician.
Administrative Duties:
- Scheduling appointments
- Maintaining medical records
- Billing and coding information for insurance purposes
Clinical Duties:
- Taking and recording vital signs and medical histories
- Preparing patients for examination
- Drawing blood
- Administering medications as directed by a physician The program strives to provide a well-rounded education for students looking to enter the healthcare field. It offers a personalized learning environment that equips students with critical thinking, professionalism, and compassionate hands-on care.
Program Requirements:
- Students must complete all required courses with grades of C or better to be eligible for graduation.
- Students must provide their own uniforms from the ECC bookstore, blood pressure cuff, stethoscope, and transportation to and from all clinical sites.
Policies and Procedures:
- Any student demonstrating a positive background check will be denied admission to any health professions program.
- Prior to the first day of class, students must have the following documentation on file with the CastleBranch requirement tracking system:
- Negative drug test results
- Negative background check
- Completed medical form
- Proof of immunizations/titer results including the COVID-19 vaccine
- Proof of health insurance coverage
- Proof of American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) for healthcare providers CPR certification
Course Schedule:
First Semester
- HPE 112 Intro to Medical Terminology
- MED 101 Intro to Medical Assisting
- MED 110 Medical Asst Administrative Skills
- MED 115 Medical Asst Clinical Foundations
- CMS 210 or CMS 215 Interpersonal Communication or Intercultural Communication
Second Semester
- MED 120 Medical Asst Patient Care Skills
- MED 130 Medical Asst Clinical Procedures
- CLT 101 Phlebotomy
Third Semester
- MED 140 Medical Assisting Externship
- MED 150 Medical Assisting Capstone
Careers:
Upon completion of the program, students will be prepared to take and pass a certification exam. They will also be equipped with the skills and knowledge to work in a variety of healthcare settings, including:
- Medical offices
- Clinics
- Outpatient care facilities
- Ambulatory care facilities