Medical Assisting Associate of Technical Studies
Medical Assisting Certificate

The Medical Assisting program prepares graduates to work as medical assistants primarily in ambulatory settings such as medical offices, urgent care centers and clinics. Medical assistants are multi-skilled professionals who assist in patient care management. They perform a broad range of clinical and administrative duties, including scheduling and receiving patients, establishing and maintaining medical records, handling telephone calls, completing correspondence, processing insurance claims and managing finances. Medical assistants are a valuable member of the health care team, and job opportunities are numerous in central Ohio and nationwide. Graduates of the program are eligible to take the National Certification examination which is administered three times a year.

Upon completion of the Certificate Program in Medical Assisting, the graduate will be able to:
• Perform clerical functions to include execution of bookkeeping principles and special accounting entries.
• Process insurance claims including the application of managed care policies both diagnostic and procedural coding.
• Identify medical/legal issues within the medical office, respecting confidentiality and documenting appropriately in the medical record.
• Perform risk-management procedures and patient instruction for follow-up care health maintenance and disease prevention.
• Properly handle and dispose of infectious waste and biohazard materials in compliance with government regulations.
• Perform and collect various specimens in compliance with Standard Precautions set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Perform various diagnostic tests ordered by the physician, utilizing quality control procedures.
• Conduct various patient care procedures administrative, clinically, and laboratory, including preparation and administration of oral and parenteral medications as directed by the physician.
• Maintain and perform inventory of administrative and clinical supplies and equipment following office policy.

Listed below are additional requirements for admission to the Medical Assisting program:
• High school graduate or GED equivalency
• Placement into MATH 102 Beginning Algebra I or completion of DEV 031 with a grade of “C” or higher
• Placement into ENGL 101 Beginning Composition or completion of ENGL 100 with a grade of “C” or higher.
• Placement OUT of reading requirements or completion of DEV/ESL courses
• Attend a Medical Assisting program information session. Program applications are available ONLY at the information sessions.
Completion of MULT 101 with a “C” or better
Completion of CIT 101 with a “C” or better
• Current Heart Association Health Care Provider CPR with AED certification or completion of MULT 103 with a “C” or better
Current Red Cross First Aid certification or completion of MULT 103 with a “C” or better
• BIO 121 and 122 require completion of high school biology and chemistry or BIO 100 within the last five years and CHEM 100 within the last three years. Contact the Biological and Physical Sciences Department (Nestor Hall. 4th Floor) for the most current information. Phone number is (614) 287-2522 or 5107.
• Drug screening and a background check may be required.

Statement Regarding Infectious Diseases

Students in any of the Allied Health programs, including Medical Assisting, perform their clinical work on real people. Columbus State does not discriminate against students, faculty, or patients in any way, or based on color, creed, national origin, gender, disability or sexual preference. The patient populations with whom students will work come from all walks of life, and students may therefore be exposed to many types of communicable diseases. These are not limited to, but may include, Hepatitis (A, B, C or D), HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Mumps, Rubella, Rubeola, etc.

ALL students are required to have appropriate immunizations after they are admitted to the program and before Autumn Quarter begins (information is given to all admitted students). Additionally, although all precautions are taken to minimize exposure and risk, there is always a slight possibility that precautions may fail or that a student may accidentally expose him/herself. All students entering the Medical Assisting program must be aware of this slight, but real, potential. Students are required to maintain personal health insurance.

Statement Regarding Pregnancy

Student disclosure of pregnancy status to program personnel is strictly voluntary. While the College does not require that a pregnant student disclose her pregnancy, the College encourages any student who is pregnant, or may become pregnant, to discuss with her advisor any potential risks and limitations.

Pregnancy does not preclude a student from remaining in a health-related program. Students disclosing a pregnancy are encouraged to have their health care practitioner document any restrictions that may assist the College in providing reasonable accommodations when required.

Should the student’s health care provider indicate that there are restrictions, once notified, the College is required to abide by the restrictions. If a student is placed on restrictions by her health care provider, and these restrictions are significant enough to compromise the student’s ability to continue in a laboratory course or clinical placement, the student may be required to withdraw from the course and re-enter the program at a later date, following delivery. If a health care provider indicates there are no restrictions, the student may continue in her laboratory or clinical course without any changes.

Medical Assisting Associate of Technical Studies Degree

Medical Assisting Certificate Program