Medical Assistant

Employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 29 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations.

The growth of the aging baby-boom population will continue to increase demand for preventive medical services, which are often provided by physicians. As a result, physicians will hire more assistants to perform routine administrative and clinical duties, allowing the physicians to see more patients.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 16% from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. The growth of the aging baby-boom population will continue to increase demand for preventive medical services, which are often provided by physicians. As a result, physicians will hire more assistants to perform routine administrative and clinical duties, allowing the physicians to see more patients.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics

The Medical Assistant program is an open admission program that has limited enrollment. Admission to this program is only available to individuals 18 years or older who are high school graduates or high school equivalency recipients. Please complete a Moraine Valley application. Individuals interested in the program are encouraged to contact Academic Advising about registration dates, any course prerequisites, and other academic concerns or questions. Several courses prescribe reading and math levels as prerequisites. For information regarding the appropriate mechanisms for documenting reading and math placement levels please meet with an Academic Advisor.

Program Requirements

Technical Standards
All students must be able to perform the essential functions of the curriculum. In addition to the general admission criteria required by the college, medical assistant students must be able to:

• Use digital fine motor skills with both hands continually throughout the day.
• See clearly enough to read hand-written and computer-generated communications.
• Work standing on their feet for the majority of the day.
• Walk to and from patient service areas for the majority of the day.
• Help patients in and out of phlebotomy and/or examination chairs and tables.
• Write and speak to patients and staff effectively.
• Interact appropriately with patients, physicians, peers and supervisor.
• Use good judgment to seek assistance when needed.
• Lift a minimum of 25 pounds unassisted.
• Apply safety and infection control standards learned in the program to maintain a safe and clean environment for patients and self.

Students must achieve a minimum grade of "C" in all prerequisite and required courses in order to advance within the program.

The medical assisting externship consists of 160 hours of unpaid training at one of the Moraine Valley-affiliated clinical sites. Most externship sites require that students have a completed health/physical form, required immunizations, current CPR certification, HIPAA understanding, health insurance and a criminal background check and drug screening. You must be prepared to travel to your assigned externship site.

The medical assisting externship must be completed within one semester of MOA-147 and within one year of MOA-115 and MOA-144.

Health and Physical Form
Prior to the externship course, students will receive a health history and physical examination form. This must be completed and signed by a licensed physician. Students must prove proof of required immunizations.

Health Insurance
Proof of health insurance is also required and included as part of the health form.

CPR Health care Provider Card
All students must possess a valid CPR Health care Provider card prior to externship assignments. MOA-155 Medical Assistant Externship and MOA-156 Medical Assistant Seminar are courses that include full time clinical assignments and related activities.

The Moraine Valley Community College Medical Assistant Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board.

The Medical Assistant program at Moraine Valley Community College has a five-year job placement rate of 85% for the years 2018-2022. The Medical Assistant program at Moraine Valley Community College has a five-year exam passage rate of 93% for the years 2018-2022.

This information is based on the most recent Annual Report Form submitted to the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB) and Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355 – 113th St. N. #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
(727) 210-2350
www.caahep.org

Dreaming of a career as a medical assistant?
As a Medical Assistant (MA), you will work in a challenging, changing, rewarding profession. Graduates of the Moraine Valley Community College Medical Assistant Program possess an exceptionally broad, thorough knowledge of the field in which they will be working. Medical assistants are uniquely trained to work in both clinical and administrative settings. MAs give health care a human touch, helping patients to feel at ease in the doctor's office and to understand physicians' instructions. If you have good communication skills and are often appreciated for your caring manner, then you might be well suited for a career in medical assisting.

Why should I select the Moraine Valley Medical Assistant Program?
Because the Moraine Valley Community College Medical Assistant Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board.

Can I transfer in?
At present, Moraine Valley Community College does not accept Medical Assistant transfer credit.

Where do medical assistants work?
Medical assistants may be employed in physicians' offices, hospitals, outpatient clinics, occupational health centers, long-term care facilities, and offices of other practitioners such as chiropractors.

How long can I take to complete the program?
Of course, the faculty is committed to students' successful completion of the program and would like students to progress to completion as efficiently as possible. Because several of these courses develop clinical skills, the courses must be completed in a finite time frame. Therefore, students must complete the following courses within a 12-month timeframe or less: MOA-115, MOA-144, MOA-147, MOA-155, and MOA-156. The medical assistant externship (MOA-155) must be completed within one semester of completing MOA-147. MOA-155 must be completed within one year of completing MOA-115 and MOA-144.

Can I be compensated for my externship? 
Students shall not receive compensation/payment, monetary or otherwise, for the practicum (externship) experience.

How will I practice my skills as a student?
Courses taught on campus will provide hands-on experience in the classroom and lab. In addition, students will complete 160 hours of an unpaid clinical externship at an affiliated ambulatory health care center. Clinical personnel will supervise student learning. Students will be apprised of the available clinical assignments and efforts will be made to accommodate requests. However, the ultimate decision for clinical assignments rests with the Program coordinators.

Can I work full-time while attending classes?
If you are planning on a full-time course schedule it would be very difficult to work full-time. However, you can take classes on a part-time basis. Students in the Medical Assistant Program are required to achieve a minimum grade of "C" in all prerequisite and required courses in order to progress within the Medical assistant Program. The number of hours spent in the classroom and the amount of study time required outside of class time are considerable to review and practice concepts. Students should plan to spend approximately 2 hours at home studying, reviewing and preparing assignments for every hour spent in class. The 160 unpaid Medical Assistant Externship must be completed on a full-time basis.

Do I need a physical exam?
Yes, you will need a completed health history and physical examination form signed by a licensed physician. In addition, you will need proof of required immunizations. Student History and Physical Forms will be distributed the semester before you begin your externship. Also, proof of health insurance will be required at this time.

Do I need a drug screen?
Yes, in order to comply with clinical affiliation requirements, students will be asked to submit a sample for drug screening prior to the start of externship. Positive drug screen results will prohibit a student from being placed in a clinical site.

Do I need a criminal background check?
In order to comply with certain state statutes and/or clinical affiliation agreements, students will be asked to complete a criminal background check. Application forms for criminal background checks may be obtained through the Career Programs Subdivision Office (B150). For information on criminal background application procedures, please contact the Career Programs Subdivision Office at (708) 974-5708.

Do I need a CPR card?
A valid CPR Health care Provider card will be required prior to your externship assignment. Your instructor will provide you with a number of resources where you may obtain CPR training for health care providers, including resources available through Moraine Valley's Workforce Development Department. Students are financially responsible for the CPR training required. For more information on CPR for health care providers, contact Corporate, Community and Continuing Education at (708) 974-5735.

Do I need to pass a certification exam before I can be employed?
Graduates may be employed without having formal credentials. However, the trend is toward certification and students are strongly urged to challenge a certification exam following graduation.

What are the occupational risks?
There are certain occupational risks associated with any healthcare position. Some medical assistants may be exposed to the following hazards:

• Exposure to infectious diseases
• Sharps injuries
• Bloodborne pathogens and biological hazards
• Chemical and drug exposure
• Ergonomic hazards from lifting, sitting and repetitive tasks
• Latex allergies
• Stress
  

To prevent these risks, protections are set up with the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) for those who work in healthcare settings. OSHA standards are an important part of protecting the safety of healthcare professionals and the patients they care for. Medical assistant students are taught the importance of prioritizing safety in the workplace. Adopted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

Is this program accredited?
Yes, the Moraine Valley Medical Assistant Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of Medical Assisting Education Review Board.

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
25400 U.S. Highway 19 North, Suite 158
Clearwater, FL 33763
(727) 210-2350
www.caahep.org

How do I become certified as a medical assistant?
Currently, graduates of the program are eligible to take the Certified Medical Assistant certification examination through the American Association of Medical Assistants. Information about this organization can be obtained from their website.

In addition, the Registered Medical Assistant certification exam can also be challenged through the American Medical Technologists. Information about this organization can be obtained on its website.

How do I get started?
To learn more about how you can pursue a career in medical assisting, you are advised to contact the Academic Advising Center at (708) 974-5721. Also, please complete a Moraine Valley Community College admission form. Several courses prescribe reading and math levels as prerequisites.

When do classes meet?
Students can get up-to-the-minute information on class scheduling here.

Karen Kowalski RN, BSN, RMA
Program Coordinator
Kowalskik29@tiemles.com
708-608-4268

Anna Jannak RN, APN, MSN, FNP-C
Clinical Coordinator
jannaka@tiemles.com
708-608-4123