Associate of Applied Science |  64 credits

Allied Health Division
Location JHS 143D
Program Website
Academic and Career Advising

Program Faculty
Diana Carroll CMA (AAMA) – Program Coordinator
Diane Robinson CMA (AAMA) – Practicum Coordinator
Angela Belnap MS CMA (AAMA)
Matthew Reyes CMA (AAMA)

Program Description
The Advanced Practice Medical Assisting Program is a selective admissions, 4-semester program that leads to an AAS degree. Prerequisites prior to applying to the program require 1-semester. The Program is designed to provide all of the theory and education required to be an Advanced Practice Medical Assistant. Medical assistants are trained primarily to work in doctors’ offices, clinics or health maintenance organizations. As members of an allied health care profession, the medical assistant’s role is to assist with care and treatment of patients through administrative and clinical procedures. At the advanced practice level the student will be able to complete skills in general, clinical and administrative procedures such as but not limited to: compliance, risk management, supervisory functions leadership skills, patient care, financial management and development and implement marketing, communications and patient education.

Students must demonstrate proficiency by passing all courses and competencies required in the program, including successful completion of CPR and first aid certification, before placement in a 200-hour unpaid practicum site and graduation from the program.

Career Opportunities
Advanced Medical Assistant Program graduates possess a comprehensive array of skills in all administrative and clinical practices within the scope of practice of this profession. Advanced Medical Assistant Program Students receive, in addition to the entry-level skills, an extensive training in advanced competencies of the multi-skilled practitioner. As a result, graduates are of immediate value to the physician/employer. Emphasis is placed on development and understanding of personal and professional relationships. Currently in the United States and Utah there is a critical shortage of medical assistants with open positions far outweighing the number of qualified applicants.

Transfer/Articulation Information
For information regarding transfer options, please see the Medical Assistant program advisor.

Estimated Cost for Students
Tuition and student fees: http://www.slcc.edu/student/financial/tuition-fees.aspx
Medical Assistant course fees: www.slcc.edu/medicalassistant

Estimated Time to Completion
Time to completion is four semesters based on a full-time minimum of 15 credits per semester. Less than 15 credits per semester will increase time to completion. This does not include program pre-requisite courses.

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Program Entry Requirements

ADMISSIONS PROCESS:

• Be admitted to SLCC as a matriculated student. See: http://www.slcc.edu/apply/index.aspx
• High School Graduate or equivalent.
• For transfer credit, please see Transfer and Articulation Information.
• Complete placement exam, or submit current SAT/ACT test scores, if MATH and ENGL course work have not been transferred to SLCC (required before you are able to register for classes that have MATH and ENGL courses as prerequisites). See: www.slcc.edu/testing
• Complete program prerequisites courses with a C or better:
  • ENGL 1010 Intro to Writing (EN)  
  • MA 1011 Applied Math for Medical Assistants (QS)    
  • MA 1100 Medical Terminology  
  • MA 1420 Clinical Pathology I  

NOTE: Students are encouraged to take an ENGL 1010 section that teaches APA referencing. All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to submitting application for the Medical Assistant program. It is the student’s responsibility to examine each course description for details of prerequisite classes. Prerequisites must be satisfied before the designated class is taken.

PROGRAM APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

• See the Medical Assistant webpage for essential information regarding completion of program application and additional application requirements at http://www.slcc.edu/medicalassistant/index.aspx.
• Complete online application. Go to mySLCC> Registration> Program Admissions> Health Sciences Program Admissions.
• Submit proof of immunizations online. See Medical Assistant Admissions webpage.
• Complete background check through SLCC’s authorized vendor. In addition, it will be the responsibility of the student to contact the certification board (AAMA) and seek advice regarding eligibility for certification and requirements needed to progress in this profession if the criminal background check discloses issues of concern.
• Students must demonstrate proficiency by passing all courses and competencies required in the program, including successful completion of CPR and first aid certification, before placement in a practicum site and graduation from the program.
• Students complete a 200-hour unpaid practicum at a primary health care facility. Students must return all practicum evaluations and hours (records) properly signed by practicum supervisor and student to the practicum coordinator of the Allied Health Medical Assistant Program. Only upon successful completion of the program and practicum with a C (74%) or better and receipt of all practicum evaluations will the student receive the AAS in Advanced Practice Medical Assisting.

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Specialized Program Accreditation
The Salt Lake Community College, Allied Health Medical Assistant Program, Certificate of Completion is accredited by Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB). The program will seek continued accreditation at the AAS degree level.

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
25400 US Highway 19, North Ste. 158
Clearwater, FL 33763

MAERB (Medical Assisting Education Review Board) has established thresholds for outcome assessments in medical assistant programs accredited by CAAHEP, one of which is successfully passing the CMA (Certified Medical Assistant) exam with an overall score of 70% or better. All program graduates will be required to take this exam within five years of completion of the program as mandated by the AAMA for program accreditation.

Program Student Learning Outcomes	Related College-Wide Student Learning Outcomes
	1 - Acquire substantive knowledge 2 - Communicate effectively 3 - Develop quantitative literacies 4 - Think critically & creatively 5 - Become a community engaged learner 6 - Work in professional & constructive manner 7 - Develop computer & information literacy 8 - Develop lifelong wellness
Demonstrate critical thinking based on knowledge and understanding of the Advanced Practice Medical Assistant. Apply this knowledge in a healthcare setting by demonstrating competences required cognitively and affectively in anatomy & physiology, applied mathematics, applied microbiology/infection control, effective communications, administrative functions, process payroll, medical finance, managed care/insurance, procedural and diagnostic coding, act as a patient advocate, healthcare legal issues, perform personnel supervision, mentor colleagues, plan, develop, and conduct continuing education activities, emergency preparedness planning, limited radiology for the MA student, compliance duties for federal, state, managed care and regulatory agencies, and protective practices and medical ethical benchmarks as delineated by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Demonstrate, analyze and evaluate the role of the medical assistant as a limited x-ray operator. Calculate basic mathematics for the limited operator. Understand and apply basic physics for radiology, controls and safety. Demonstrate proper patient positions and machine settings. Evaluate images through proper techniques. Understand and demonstrate the legal, ethical and professionalism needed for patient protection.	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Demonstrate critical-reading, writing, speaking, listening, visual understanding common to the healthcare settings: Organizing and presenting ideas and information visually, orally, and in writing according to standard usage. Understanding and using the elements of effective communication in interpersonal, small group, and mass settings. Students will also demonstrate knowledge of cultural differences and diversity and its impact on a patient’s medical care and his/ her compliance with a physician’s instructions.	1, 2, 3, 4, 6
Applying mathematical theory, concepts, and methods as they pertain to the medical assistant profession program. All students will successfully pass all math competencies and/or tests in the program at 74% or better. The student will be proficient in all competencies required by the AAMA for program accreditation.	3, 6
Demonstrate reasoned critical thinking effectively based on available evidence in healthcare settings; Demonstrating effective problem solving; Engaging in creative thinking, expression, and application. Exiting students will perform administrative and clinical skills at or above the stated career entry level minimums. Students are required to pass courses with a 74% or better for all theory courses and 80% or better for practical courses.	3, 4, 6
Engaging in service-learning in the medical assistant 200-hour, unpaid practicum.	3, 5, 6
Engaging with others to produce a professional work environment; Interacting with different cultures to demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of human differences and medical ethical considerations; Evaluate and act congruent with the standards of professionalism in healthcare to align with the medical assistant profession and the medical profession.	3, 6
Employ contemporary computer hardware and software to effectively complete college-level assignments; Understand and act upon ethical and security principles with respect to HIPAA and electronic health records and data; Demonstrate entry level proficiency with electronic technology used in the healthcare setting.	3, 5, 6, 7
Apply and take the national CMA examination within one-year of graduation.	2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7