About the Program
The Medical Assistant Program begins May 22, 2023.
A Medical Assistant is a multi-skilled allied health professional who works primarily in ambulatory settings such as medical offices and clinics. The Medical Assistant functions as a member of the health care delivery team by performing a variety of administrative tasks and by assisting with clinical procedures to facilitate the work of the physician. The Medical Assistant is essential in the smooth workflow of a medical office.
The two-year Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Medical Assistant Program at Rock Valley College prepares graduates in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for an entry-level Medical Assistant position. The program follows the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB) core curriculum required by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Instruction is delivered in the classroom, skills lab, and clinical setting, including a final 200-hour non-paid externship in a physician’s office.
Course Information
Medical Assistant Course Requirements (60 credits)
First Semester (Fall, General Education Requirements)
| Number | Title | |
|---|---|---|
| BIO-100 | Introductory Human Biology | |
| CHM-110 | General Organic & Biochemistry I | |
| ENG-101 | Composition I | |
| SPH-131 | Fundamentals of Communication |
*Courses in the first semester are prerequisites and require a grade of “C” or higher to proceed.
Second Semester (Spring)
| Number | Title | |
|---|---|---|
| BIO-185 | Foundations Anatomy & Physiology | |
| HLT-110 | Medical Terminology | |
| MDA-101 | Introduction to Medical Assisting | |
| PHL-153 | Medical Ethics |
*Registration for MDA-101 requires instructor approval. Please contact Colinda Kram or Amanda Lonsway for more information.
Third Semester (Summer)
| Number | Title | |
|---|---|---|
| MDA-102 | Patho-Pharmacology for Medical Assistant |
Fourth Semester (Fall)
| Number | Title | |
|---|---|---|
| OFF-144 | Insurance Procedures/Medical Office | |
| OFF-147 | Coding | |
| MDA-103 | Medical Assistant Clinical Procedures I |
Fifth Semester (Spring)
| Number | Title | |
|---|---|---|
| OFF-245 | Intro to Health Information Tech | |
| OFF-250 | Health Care Revenue Cycle | |
| MDA-104 | Medical Assistant Clinical Procedures II | |
| FWS-237 | Nutrition for Optimum Living |
Sixth Semester (Summer)
| Number | Title | |
|---|---|---|
| MDA-105 | Medical Assistant Externship | |
| MDA-106 | Medical Assistant Seminar |
What can I do with this degree?
Potential Careers & Wages
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of Medical Assistants is projected to grow 18 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. More Medical Assistants are employed by practicing physicians than any other type of allied health personnel.
Program Pathways
Students should meet with a Career Advisor to develop a clear academic pathway leading to a seamless transfer experience. For additional possibilities that may require an advanced degree or certification, make an appointment with a Career Advisor.
Program Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
- Incorporate clinical and theoretical knowledge while safely performing clinical skills efficiently.
- Apply computer skills while entering varying data accurately.
- Prioritize patient care support activities effectively and efficiently.
- Combine varying methods of communication to support patient centered care.
- Demonstrate professional behaviors in the Medical Assistant profession.
Students who successfully complete the program are eligible to sit for the national certification exam through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and earn the credential of CMA-AAMA.