Medical Assisting
Program Overview
The Medical Assisting program prepares students for employment in a variety of positions in today’s medical offices. The Medical Assisting diploma provides learning opportunities which introduce, develop, and reinforce academic and occupational knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for job acquisition, retention and advancement. Additionally, the program provides opportunities to upgrade present knowledge and skills or to retrain in the area of medical assisting. Graduates of the program receive a Medical Assisting diploma.
Students are accepted into the Medical Assisting diploma program fall and spring semester. A full-time student can complete this program in 4 semesters. To graduate, students must earn a minimum of 54 semester credit hours.
The Medical Assisting Diploma Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB).
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
1361 Park Street
Clearwater, FL 33756
727-210-2350
The MAERB (Medical Assisting Education Review Board) 2016 Annual Report retention rate is 76.19%.
The MAERB (Medical Assisting Education Review Board) 2017 Annual Report retention rate is 73.7%.
Career Traits/Requirements
Individuals wanting to enroll in the Medical Assisting diploma program must have good work ethics, be people oriented and possess great organizational skills.
Offered at the Following Campuses/Delivery Mode
Salary Potential
$20,000.00 – $28,000.00
Program Costs
Tuition & Fees: $6,724.00
Books & Supplies: $1,700.00
Uniform & Supplies: $300.00
Liability Insurance (per year): $11.00
Additional Fees
Malpractice Insurance: $11.00
Drug Screen: $37.00
Criminal Background Check: $49.50
Testing Fees: $125.00
BLS for Healthcare Provider $7.00
First Aid Card: $22.00
(Costs are estimated and are subject to change.)
HOPE Career Grant:
The HOPE Career Grant, formerly known as the Strategic Industries Workforce Development Grant, is available to HOPE Grant-qualified students who enroll in select majors specifically aligned with one of 12 industries in which there are more jobs available in Georgia than there are skilled workers to fill them.
To qualify, an OFTC student must be fully admitted to the college, enrolled in one of the above programs and receiving the HOPE Grant for the same term. The amount of the HOPE Career Grant award is a fixed amount for each term of enrollment:
- 9 or more credit hours – $500/semester
- 3-8 credit hours – $250/semester
- 1-2 credit hours – $125/semester
- Commercial Truck Driving – $1,000 one time award
High School students in dual enrollment and joint enrollment are NOT eligible.
Employment Opportunities
Graduates of the Medical Assisting diploma program can find employment as a medical assistant in a physician’s office or outpatient clinics. Classroom instruction and practical application of learned skills provide a solid background, which appeals to prospective employers.
Admission Requirements
- Submit a completed application and application fee;
- Be at least 17 years of age;
- Submit official high school transcript or GED transcript;
- Submit official college transcripts, if applicable;
- Meet assessment requirements by taking the entrance placement test. In lieu of the placement test, official scores on COMPASS, ASSET, SAT, ACT, PSAT or GED may be substituted.
Competitive Admission Requirements
If the number of qualified students wishing to enter a program exceeds the number of spaces available in a particular program, those qualified students will enter into a competitive selection process for acceptance.
Access links and forms for Competitive Admissions Programs.
Course Overview
GENERAL EDUCATION COURSESENGL1010Fundamentals of English I3 credit hours45 contact hoursPrerequisites: ENGL 0097, READ 0097
Emphasizes the development and improvement of written and oral communication abilities. Topics include analysis of writing, applied grammar and writing skills, editing and proofreading skills, research skills, and oral communication skills.
474MATH1012Foundations of Mathematics3 credit hours45 contact hoursPrerequisites: MATH 0097 or Appropriate arithmetic placement test score
Emphasizes the application of basic mathematical skills used in the solution of occupational and technical problems. Topics include fractions, decimals, percents, ratios and proportions, measurement and conversion, formula manipulation, technical applications, and basic statistics.
235PSYC1010Basic Psychology3 credit hours45 contact hoursPrerequisites: Provisional Admission
Presents basic concepts within the field of psychology and their application to everyday human behavior, thinking, and emotion. Emphasis is placed on students understanding basic psychological principles and their application within the context of family, work and social interactions. Topics include an overview of psychology as a science, the nervous and sensory systems, learning and memory, motivation and emotion, intelligence, lifespan development, personality, psychological disorders and their treatment, stress and health, and social relations.
189OCCUPATIONAL COURSESALHS1011Structure and Function of the Human Body5 credit hours75 contact hoursPrerequisites: Regular Admission
Focuses on basic normal structure and function of the human body. Topics include general plan and function of the human body, integumentary system, skeletal system, muscular system, nervous and sensory systems, endocrine system, cardiovascular system, lymphatic system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, and reproductive system.
232ALHS1090Medical Terminology for Allied Health Sciences2 credit hours30 contact hoursPrerequisites: Provisional Admission
Introduces the elements of medical terminology. Emphasis is placed on building familiarity with medical words through knowledge of roots, prefixes, and suffixes. Topics include: origins (roots, prefixes, and suffixes), word building, abbreviations and symbols, and terminology related to the human anatomy.
234COLL1060Introduction to College and Computers3 credit hours50 contact hoursPrerequisites: Provisional Admission
This course is designed to provide tools to assist students in the acquisition of skills necessary to achieve academic and professional success in their chosen program of study. Topics include: Getting to Know Your College, Learning Styles, Computer Literacy, Time and Financial Management, Stress Management and Wellness, Studying and Test-Taking Skills, and Communication Skills.3741MAST1010Legal and Ethical Concerns in the Medical Office2 credit hours30 contact hoursPrerequisites: Program Admission
Introduces the basic concept of medical assisting and its relationship to the other health fields. Emphasizes medical ethics, legal aspects of medicine, and the medical assistant's role as an agent of the physician. Provides the student with knowledge of medical jurisprudence and the essentials of professional behavior. Topics include: introduction to medical assisting; introduction to medical law; physician/patient/assistant relationship; medical office in litigation; as well as ethics, bioethical issues and HIPAA.
245MAST1030Pharmacology in the Medical Office4 credit hours60 contact hoursPrerequisites: Program Admission, MATH 1012
Introduces medication therapy with emphasis on safety; classification of medications; their actions; side effects; medication and food interactions and adverse reactions. Also introduces basic methods of arithmetic used in the administration of medications. Topics include: introductory pharmacology; dosage calculation; sources and forms of medications; medication classification; and medication effects on the body systems.
246MAST1060Medical Office Procedures4 credit hours75 contact hoursPrerequisites: Program Admission
Emphasizes essential skills required for the medical practice. Topics include: office protocol, time management, appointment scheduling, medical office equipment, medical references, mail services, medical records, and professional communication.
247MAST1080Medical Assisting Skills I4 credit hours135 contact hoursPrerequisites: Program Admission, ALHS 1011, ALHS 1090
Introduces the skills necessary for assisting the physician with a complete history and physical in all types of medical practices. The course includes skills necessary for sterilizing instruments and equipment and setting up sterile trays. The student also explores the theory and practice of electrocardiography. Topics include: infection control and related OSHA guidelines; prepare patients/assist physician with age and gender-specific examinations and diagnostic procedures; vital signs/mensuration; medical office surgical procedures and electrocardiography.
248MAST1090Medical Assisting Skills II4 credit hours135 contact hoursPrerequisites: Program Admission, ALHS 1011, ALHS 1090
Furthers student knowledge of the more complex activities in a physician's office. Topics include: collection/examination of specimens and CLIA regulations/risk management; urinalysis; venipuncture; hematology and chemistry evaluations; advanced reagent testing (Strep Test, HcG etc); administration of medications; medical office emergency procedures and emergency preparedness; respiratory evaluations; principles of IV administration; rehabilitative therapy procedures; principles of radiology safety and maintenance of medication and immunization records.
249MAST1100Medical Insurance Management2 credit hours60 contact hoursPrerequisites: Program Admission, ALHS 1011, ALHS 1090, COMP 1000 or COLL 1060, ENGL 1010
Emphasizes essential skills required for the medical practice. Topics include: managed care, reimbursement, and coding.250MAST1110Administrative Practice Management3 credit hours90 contact hoursPrerequisites: ALHS 1011, ALHS 1090, COMP 1000 or COLL 1060, ENGL 1010
Emphasizes essential skills required for the medical practice in the areas of computers and medical transcription. Topics include: medical transcription/electronic health records; application of computer skills; integration of medical terminology; accounting procedures; and application of software.550MAST1120Human Diseases3 credit hours60 contact hoursPrerequisites: Program Admission, ALHS 1011, ALHS 1090
Provides a review of anatomy and physiology per body system and fundamental information concerning common diseases and disorders of each body system. For each system, the disease or disorder is highlighted including: description, etiology, signs and symptoms, diagnostic procedures, treatment, management, prognosis, and prevention. Topics include: review of anatomy and physiology and diseases of body systems3729MAST1170Medical Assisting Externship6 credit hours270 contact hoursPrerequisites: Program Admission
Provides students with an opportunity for in-depth application and reinforcement of principles and techniques in a medical office job setting. This clinical practicum allows the student to become involved in a work setting at a professional level of technical application and requires concentration, practice, and follow-through. Topics include: application of classroom knowledge and skills and functioning in the work environment.
251MAST1180Medical Assisting Seminar3 credit hours45 contact hoursPrerequisites: Program Admission
Seminar focuses on job preparation and maintenance skills and review for the certification examination. Topics include: letters of application, resumes, completing a job application, job interviews, follow-up letter/call, letters of resignation and review of program competencies for employment and certification.
252Credit Hours: 54
