Medical Assisting

Regular duties include checking patients’ vital signs, obtaining their height and weight, giving injections, performing EKGs, drawing blood, and assisting physicians in many ways to support quality patient care.

Program graduates assist healthcare professionals in many aspects of medical and nursing practice, including patient care management, administrative and clinical procedures. Students learn about the administrative duties of scheduling and receiving patients, preparing and maintaining medical records, performing basic secretarial skills, handling telephone calls, writing correspondence, serving as the liaison between the physician and other individuals, and managing practice finances.

Students who start L&C’s program in the fall semester can earn a Certificate of Proficiency in 11 short months, with the option to obtain an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree in two additional semesters.

The clinical phase of the program is taught through intense training and hands-on application. Students learn to perform clinical duties, including asepsis and infection control, taking patient histories and vital signs, first aid and CPR, preparing patients for procedures, assisting the health care professional with examinations and treatments, collecting and processing specimens, performing selected diagnostic tests, administering injections, and preparing and administering medications as directed by the physician. 

Written and oral communication, knowledge of human biology, medical terminology, pharmacology, emergency procedures, and medical front office duties are important for successful job placement.

At the end of the program, students sit for the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) exam to become certified medical assistants. Our program currently has a 100% pass rate for this exam.

Medical assisting is a fast growing occupation, with employment projected to grow 23 percent from 2014 to 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Primary employers for medical assistants include: ambulatory health care settings, extended health care facilities, public health agencies, schools, medical schools, research institutes and medical insurance firms. Lewis and Clark graduates are currently working for healthcare employers all over the metro area, including BJC, SIHF Healthcare, Washington University, Gateway Regional Medical Center, JCH Medical Group, and many more.

• Associate in Applied Science (AAS) | Medical Assisting
• Certificate of Proficiency (CP) | Medical Assisting

Grants

• Pipeline for the Advancement of the Healthcare Workforce (PATH) Grant

Students will be eligible to sit for the Registered Medical Assistant Exam, sponsored by the American Medical Technologists, at the end of MEDA 250 Medical Assisting Exam Review. For more information about the RMA Exam, please visit www.americanmedtech.org.