Overview
Program Handbook
The Medical Assisting Certificate program equips you with a diverse set of skills crucial for technical roles in healthcare. As a medical assistant, you'll be adept at performing essential tasks such as measuring vital signs, administering injections, and executing venipunctures. Your training extends to administrative competencies as well, enabling you to efficiently manage appointment scheduling and assist with minor in-office procedures.
The role of a medical assistant is dynamic and evolves with the healthcare industry, often differing based on the specific medical office or healthcare environment. This variability in responsibilities highlights the importance of a versatile skill set.
By completing the Medical Assisting Certificate program, you are prepared to embark on a career as a competent, entry-level medical assistant. The program's comprehensive curriculum is designed to cater to a range of specialties within the medical field, ensuring that graduates are well-equipped to handle the multifaceted demands of medical assisting, including patient interaction, clinical care, and administrative duties. This preparation is pivotal for those seeking to contribute effectively in the fast-paced and diverse world of healthcare.
The medical assisting certificate program is a two-semester program of study. The program consists of 26 total credit hours, utilizing both online and face-to-face courses, over two consecutive semesters.
Philosophy
The Certificate in Medical Assisting program is committed to empowering aspiring healthcare professionals with the comprehensive skills and knowledge necessary to provide exceptional patient care and administrative support, adapting seamlessly to the dynamic needs of the medical field.
Program Goal
The goal of the Medical Assistant program is:
- To prepare competent, entry-level medical assistants in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.
Program Learning Outcomes
Students who complete the Medical Assistant certificate will be able to:
- Diverse Healthcare Competency: Demonstrate the ability to proficiently perform as a Medical Assistant across various healthcare environments.
- Teamwork and Professionalism: Excel in teamwork and uphold professional responsibility as an integral member of healthcare teams.
- Respect and Wellness Advocacy: Demonstrate respect for all and contribute to the wellness of patients and communities.
- Role Clarity and Confidentiality: Understand and effectively execute the Medical Assistant’s role, maintaining strict patient confidentiality.
- Lifelong Learning and Adaptability: Embrace continuous learning and adaptability, using technology and communication effectively in a dynamic healthcare landscape.
Admission Requirements
General College Admission Requirements
The following are Mercy College of Ohio admissions requirements. Admission to the College does not guarantee admission to a program. Admission requirements are subject to change. Students should contact the Office of Admissions or consult mercycollege.edu for the most up-to-date information.
One of the following are required for admission to Mercy College of Ohio:
- An earned diploma from an accredited high school or a home-schooled program in a college preparatory course of study with a cumulative high school grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher, OR
- A general equivalence diploma (GED) recipient with a score of 500 (score of 53 prior to 2002).
- Additional documentation may be required for College Credit Plus or Non-degree Seeking Students.
Requirements for Clinicals or Professional Practice Experience
Criminal background checks, drug screens, health records, and titers/immunizations are required prior to the start of the clinical program. Program requirements and instructions are maintained on the College website at https://mercycollege.edu/background. The Policy can be found at https://mercycollege.edu/about/compliance-consumer-information.
Certificate Requirements
To complete the Medical Assistant Certificate students must fulfill all of the following:
Required Program Courses
Complete All of The Following Courses:
| BIO 105 | Human Structure and Function | 5 |
| HIT 105 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| MAP 110 | Medical Assisting Law and Ethics | 3 |
| MAP 120 | Medical Assisting Billing and Coding | 3 |
| MAP 130 | Medical Assisting Office Procedures | 3 |
| MAP 140 | Medical Assisting Clinical Procedures | 4 |
| MAP 150 | Medical Assisting Practicum | 2 |
| MAP 160 | Medical Assisting Capstone | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 26 |
Sample Program of Study
Semester I
| BIO 105 | Human Structure and Function | 5 |
| HIT 105 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| MAP 110 | Medical Assisting Law and Ethics | 3 |
| MAP 120 | Medical Assisting Billing and Coding | 3 |
Semester II
| MAP 130 | Medical Assisting Office Procedures | 3 |
| MAP 140 | Medical Assisting Clinical Procedures | 4 |
| MAP 150 | Medical Assisting Practicum | 2 |
| MAP 160 | Medical Assisting Capstone | 3 |
Any grade lower than a “C” is considered a failure. Students who fail a Medical Assistant course or withdraw from a Medical Assistant course (WF), may repeat the course only one time.