(PHOENIX, Ariz., Oct. 15, 2003) – The Arizona Association of Community Health Centers and Phoenix College Custom Training and Education (CTE) will present a one-day conference entitled "The Invaluable Medical Assistant" on Saturday, Oct. 25 at Phoenix College. Registration begins at 8 a.m. on the Osborn Campus – Willo Room. Clinical sponsors include John C. Lincoln Physician Practices, Mayo Clinic, Maricopa Integrated Health System, Clinica Adelante, the Arizona Osteopathic Medical Association.

"The Invaluable Medical Assistant" features multi-cultural prominent health care providers. This conference recognizes the importance of medical assistants and will acknowledge an Award of Excellence for one medical assistant during the final hour of the conference. Marquerita Donald, 2002 recipient, will present the award.

"According to the U.S. Department of Labor, a career as a medical assistant is one of the fastest growing occupations," said Phoenix College Medical Assisting and Patient Care Technician Program Director, Helen Houser. "There is an expected 57 percent increase in future jobs."

"Community Health Centers are relying more and more on medical assistants to help physicians provide primary care services in over 30 member organizations with approximately 100 delivery sites," said Avein Saaty, Arizona Association of Community Health Centers Director of Clinical Programs. "It is more important than ever to develop innovative training opportunities and recognize the contribution of medical assistants to increasing access to care for over 400,000 underserved patients in Arizona."

Some highlights of the program include:

--OSHA Regulations;
--ABM and OBEX Medical Assisting Practice Rules;
--Immunization Update; and
--Preparing for the national AAMA/AAMT Exams.

"The expanding role of the medical assistant requires constant updating of skills and information including cultural sensitivity," added Houser.

For more information, please call AACHC at (602) 253-0090 ext. 231.

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