The Medical Assistant Program is a one-year certificate that prepares students to perform administrative, clinical, and laboratory duties in a variety of health care settings. As one of the fastest growing health care occupations, medical assistants are most commonly employed in medical offices and clinics.
Their administrative responsibilities may include front office reception, billing, bookkeeping, basic correspondence, and scheduling of appointments. Clinical duties include taking medical histories, recording vital signs, collecting laboratory specimens, performing basic laboratory tests, taking electrocardiograms, and assisting the physician during the examination and treatment of patients.
Working Conditions
Medical assistants work closely with physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals and office personnel. Although most medical assistants work a regular 40-hour week, they may be assigned evenings or weekends dependent upon their place of employment. The medical assistant provides direct patient care and must be able to obtain the knowledge (cognitive function), skills (psychomotor function), and demonstrate professionalism (affective function).
If you are considering this field, you should be able to accurately record and keep track of information, maintain confidentiality, deal calmly and professionally with patients, follow medical charts and understand diagnoses, and work with electronic health records. Please refer to the Essential Skills & Abilities of a Medical Assistant to determine if you are able to meet these functions with or without reasonable accommodations.
Employment
Employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 24% over the next ten years, much faster then the average for all healthcare professions. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor.
Licensure
Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate will be eligible to take the certification exam offered by the American Medical Technologists (AMT).
Program Requirements
Students will be required to show proof of immunizations and required titers, TB test, physical examination, criminal background check, and drug screen. Students are responsible for all fees incurred, in addition to tuition. Please refer to the Medical Assistant Program Cost Sheet. Please note findings on the criminal background check and drug screen may void conditional admission and prevent entrance to the program. Findings on the physical examination and drug screen may prevent placement at the clinical sites.
Department of Health Professions
2400 Tom L. Wilson Blvd.
Galesburg, IL 61401
Phone: 309.341.5299
For Additional Information Contact:
The Welcome Center
Phone: 309.345.3500
welcomecenter@sandburg.edu
For Graduation Requirements:
See the graduation policies and procedures page for details .
Return to: