Medical Assisting Certificate (MAC)
2020-2021
Type: Career, Certificate (C1)
Special admissions requirement
Division: Health and Human Services
Medical assistants are multi-skilled health professionals specifically educated to work in ambulatory settings performing administrative and clinical duties. The practice of medical assisting directly influences the public's health and well-being, and requires mastery of a complex body of knowledge and specialized skills requiring both formal education and practical experience that serve as standards for entry into the profession. This program provides classroom instruction and practicum experience that prepares students for a career as a medical assistant. The program emphasizes patient care in the office or clinic, as well as administrative and communication skills. Upon graduation, students may find employment opportunities in private physicians' offices, group practices, ambulatory care clinics, HMO clinics, community health centers, and public health facilities.
The Medical Assisting Certificate Program at North Shore Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB).
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
25400 US Highway 19 N., Suite 158
Clearwater, FL 33763
727-210-2350
www.caahep.org
If you have questions related to program admissions or applications, please contact info@northshore.edu or call 978-762-4188.
First Year
Fall
| ALH186 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| MAC138 | Introduction to the Professional Medical Assistant | 3 |
| MAC140 | Medical Assisting Administrative Procedures | 3 |
| MAC142 | Medical Assisting Clinical and Laboratory Procedures | 4 |
| MAC148 | Ambulatory Care in Health and Disease | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Spring
| MAC144 | Medical Assisting Practicum | 6 |
| MAC146 | Advanced Medical Assistant Procedures | 4 |
| PHI120 | Medical Ethics | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 13 |
Program Note
Communication and Mathematics proficiency are required to graduate.
See guided pathway sheets for advising information specific to your area of focus.
Total Credit Hours: 29
Program Student Learner Outcomes
- Perform administrative and clinical tasks as an entry level medical assistant in a competent manner.
- Conduct the duties and responsibilities of a medical assistant in a professional, ethical, and legal manner.
- Interact effectively with patients, family members, healthcare providers, and other members of the health care team.
Occupational Skills required
-
Lift patients and equipment up to 35 pounds
- Carry equipment and objects up to 25 pounds
- Kneel to perform CPR, assist patients who fall and to retrieve items from a storage cabinet
- Stoop, bend and twist to position the examination table and perform transfers
- Safely maintain balance while assisting patients in ambulation and transfer
- Crouch to locate and plug in equipment
- Reach to adjust equipment, to guard patient and to reach supplies
- Endurance to remain continuously on task for several hours
- Physical mobility/ability sufficient to move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces
- Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective patient care
- Ability to handle equipment such as syringes and blood pressure cuff
- Dexterity to manipulate and fine-tune knobs, dials, blood pressure cuffs, tools, equipment, instruments, scales, phlebotomy, and injection instruments; prepare and use equipment while maintaining sterile technique; keyboard 35 wpm
- Push and pull wheelchairs and stretchers
- Walk a distance of at least 2 miles during a normal work day
- Stand for periods of at least 2 hours
- Wear personal protective equipment as needed and gloves for extended periods of time
- Palpate pulses, muscle contractions, bony landmarks, swelling and skin texture
- Differentiate between temperature and pressure variations
- Accurately read numbers, letters, cursive writing in fine and other print in varying light levels, in English; read thermometer, computer screen, printouts, labels and gauges; interpret subtle color differences in diagnostic laboratory test kits and when using laboratory instruments
- Detect changes in skin color, patient's facial expressions, swelling, atrophy and forms of nonverbal communication (gestures)
- Observe patient and environment in order to assess the patient's condition or needs from a distance of 20 feet
- See BP manometer, small print on vials, syringes, dials and gauges
- Speak in English language in a clear, concise manner to communicate with patients, families, health care providers and community
- Listen attentively
- Respond to patient with communication disorders (aphasia or hearing loss), or those who use ESL
- Comprehend oral and written language, including health care terminology in order to communicate with patients, families, healthcare providers and community
- Write and word process in English, clearly and legibly for charting and computer input
- Hear blood pressure sounds through a stethoscope, breath sounds, patient distress sounds, machine timer bells and alarms; verbal directions from supervisor from a distance of 20 feet; verbal requests from patients, physicians, etc
- Function safely, effectively and calmly under stressful situations
- Remain alert to surroundings and potential emergencies, and respond to patient situations, i.e. falls, pain, or change in physical status
- Integrate information and make decisions based on pertinent data, in a collaborative manner
- Interact effectively and appropriately with patients, families, supervisors and co-workers of the same or different cultures with respect, politeness, tact, collaboration, teamwork and discretion
- Communicate an understanding of basic principles of supervision, ethics and confidentiality
- Display effective interpersonal skills necessary to interact in situations requiring close, personal contact
- Maintain personal hygiene consistent with the close, personal contact associated with patient care
- Display attitudes and actions to effectively engage in the supervisory process including acceptance of feedback, modifying behavior in response to feedback, and providing feedback
- Display attitudes and actions to approach workplace problems in a mature, responsible manner; seek and utilize effective strategies to resolve problems
- Maintain composure while managing and prioritizing multiple tasks simultaneously
- Prioritize multiple tasks
- Remain free from alcohol and/or chemical impairment in the academic and practicum settings
Experiential Learning Required in Program
- MAC144 Medical Assisting Practicum
Most Common Linked Occupation Title – All Education Levels
Most Common Linked Occupation Title – Associate’s or Less
Average Annual Growth (10-Year Projection)
- US - 2.60%
- Boston MSA – 2.50%
- Essex County – 2.60%
- Boston MSA Average Entry-Level Wages (2016) – $31,100
- Boston MSA Median Wages (2016) – $38,700
Top Transfer Institutions
- Salem State University
- Bay State College
- Becker College