Courses and Requirements
The Medical Assistant Certificate includes classroom theory and clinical practice to prepare you for patient care management, administrative and supervisory functions. Graduates from this program will demonstrate effective communication skills, adhere to ethical and legal standards of medical practice, recognize and respond to emergencies, and demonstrate professional characteristics. Upon completion of the program, you will be qualified to take the national certification exam for medical assistants administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)
The Medical Assistant Certificate is available in the current day program or in the evening iHealth option. The Medical Assistant Certificate day option is the traditional face-to-face classroom. The evening option in iHealth@NECC is a hybrid-online modality for the classroom part of the program.
Students who attend the Medical Assistant Evening Program through iHealth@NECC will complete most of their course work in online courses and come to our Lawrence campus one to two evenings per week for in-class meetings and laboratory sessions.
Program science courses must be completed within five (5) years prior to the anticipated start date of the program to count towards completing the certificate. Students must complete Basic Life Support C for Health Care Providers prior to beginning practicum in the Spring semester. Students must earn a minimum grade of “C” in all required courses in order to graduate. A minimum of 32 credits are required for graduation.
The Medical Assistant Program has additional admission requirements. See the Admission Criteria Packet below:
Technical Standards
CORI/CHRI/SORI
Students interested in participating in this program may be required to undergo a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, a Criminal Records Central Repository (CHRI) check, and a Sex Offender Record Information (SORI) check. For more information, visit the CORI/CHRI/SORI page on the NECC website.
Northern Essex Community College is committed to the success of every student. Students with legal issues in their background will meet with a committee as part of the CORI/CHRI/SORI process and will receive guidance and counseling throughout the review of their records. NECC personnel make every effort to help students prepare for careers in their chosen field. Students are encouraged to seek assistance and support.
Drug screening
Students enrolled in this academic program may be required to pass a drug screening analysis.
CPR
Students are required to be CPR Certified at the Health Care Provider/ Professional Rescuer level prior to the start of clinical courses.
Health
Students are required to complete a health evaluation, including the Hepatitis B immunization series, prior to final acceptance to the Program.
Student Professional Liability Insurance
Students are required to carry professional liability insurance. The premium is to be paid at the time of course registration.
Accreditation
The Medical Assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), 35 East Wacker Drive, Chicago IL, 60601, 312-553-9355 upon the recommendation of the Curriculum Review Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants – Endowment (CCRB-AAMAE).
Medical Assisting program at iHealth@NECC has an average retention rate of 93% for the past five years. Support services are made available to all students so that they can successfully complete the program.
Graduates of the Medical Assisting program at iHealth@NECC are satisfied with the education that they receive, as there is an average graduate satisfaction rate of 100% over the past five years.
Requirements
| ENG101 | English Composition I | 3 |
| HES104 | Medical Office Administration | 3 |
| HES115 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| MAS100 | Introduction to Medical Assisting | 3 |
| MAS101 | Medical Assisting I | 3 |
| MAS110 | Medical Assisting II | 3 |
| MAS120 | Clinical Laboratory Procedures | 3 |
| MAS190 | Medical Assisting Practicum | 4 |
| PSY101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
Select FOUR CREDITS from the following
Program Notes
Students considering a challenging career as a medical assistant should be aware of the skills required (clinical skills, administrative skills, and patient care management skills) to begin at this entry-level position in the health care field. Success in this profession will require excellent organizational, communication and interpersonal skills.
Recommended Course Sequence Medical Assistant Certificate
Year 1
Fall
| BIO101 | Human Biology | 3 |
| and | |
| BIO102 | Human Biology Laboratory | 1 |
| OR | |
| BIO122 | Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 |
| | |
| ENG101 | English Composition I | 3 |
| HES115 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| PSY101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
Spring
| MAS100 | Introduction to Medical Assisting | 3 |
| MAS101 | Medical Assisting I | 3 |
Summer
| MAS110 | Medical Assisting II | 3 |
| MAS120 | Clinical Laboratory Procedures | 3 |
Year 2
Fall
| HES104 | Medical Office Administration | 3 |
| MAS190 | Medical Assisting Practicum | 4 |