Medical Assisting Program Application

Program Description
Students receive training in both the administrative and the clinical procedures generally performed in the medical office.  Students will learn skills including but not limited to scheduling appointments and checking in patients, taking vital signs and medical histories, managing medical records including electronic health records, insurance billing and coding, performing specific diagnostic laboratory procedures and electrocardiograms, drawing blood,  assisting with minor surgical procedures, administering medications and conducting patient education.

Employment Outlook
The Medical Assisting Program provides education and training for successful employment in physicians’ offices, community health centers, urgent care centers, and select outpatient facilities.  The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the growth in opportunities for medical assistants is faster than the average occupation, with expected growth of 34% between 2012 and 2018.  Salaries range from approximately $23,500 to $37,000 per year with an average wage of $26,000.  Career advancement opportunities, such as office manager, clinical team leader and research coordinator are also available. 

Program Cost
The cost of the program is approximately $3,900, including tuition, fees, and books.

Program Prerequisites
Students must have successfully completed HCC145 - Medical Terminology for Health Care Workers before entering the Medical Assisting Program.  In addition, students must successfully test at the appropriate level for ENG101 (or CRE101) and MAT091 or higher.  Acceptance into the Medical Assisting Program is by application only (application link located below). 

Program Schedule and Length
Currently classes are only offered during the day schedule.  Day students attend classes Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from approximately 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.  Students are generally able to complete the program in approximately nine months.  The program consists of classroom lecture, classroom laboratory experience and two concluding externships - one in an outpatient laboratory to demonstrate and enhance phlebotomy skills and one in a medical office to demonstrate and enhance medical assisting administrative and clinical skills.

Certification Process
Upon successful program completion, the student will be eligible to take either the American Medical Technologists National Medical Assisting Exam (for the RMA or Registered Medical Assistant credential) or the American Association of Medical Assistants National Medical Assisting Exam (for the CMA - AAMA or Certified Medical Assistant - AAMA credential).

AAS Degree in Medical Assisting
Phoenix College offers an Associates in Applied Sciences (AAS) degree in Medical Assisting.  Upon successful completion of the certificate program, the student may pursue the AAS degree through continued academic work in general education required and elective courses. 

University Transfer
The Arizona Course Applicability System provides information on courses, course equivalencies, and program requirements at all public universities in Arizona. Some universities, such as Northern Arizona University (NAU), offer a bachelor degree in Medical Assisting.  All your Medical Assisting certificate or degree credits may transfer as a block.

For the application packet for the Medical Assisting Program, click on this "Application" link.