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Job Description

Medical Assistants have a great amount of variety in their jobs and are cross-trained to perform many administrative and clinical duties.  Duties vary from office to office depending on the location, size, and specialty.

Administrative duties may include:

• Computer applications
• Greeting patients and answering telephones
• Scheduling appointments
• Updating patient medical records
• Coding and completing insurance claim forms
• Arranging for hospital admissions and laboratory services
• Handling correspondence, billing, and bookkeeping activities

Clinical duties vary by state but include:

• Taking medical histories and vital signs
• Explaining treatments and procedures to patients
• Preparing patients for examinations
• Assisting the physician during examinations
• Collecting and preparing laboratory specimens
• Performing basic laboratory tests
• Instructing patients about medications and special diets
• Authorizing prescription refills as directed
• Preparing and administering medications as directed by a physician
• Performing electrocardiograms
• Drawing blood
• Removing sutures and changing dressings

Visit the  web site for more information about the profession of Medical Assisting.

Job Demand

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, Medical Assisting is one of the nation's fastest-growing careers with an expected growth of 29 percent between 2012 and 2022.

Approximately 50 percent of medical assistants work in physician offices. Other areas of employment include hospital outpatient clinics, private and specialty clinics, insurance companies, and billing agencies.

The Associate of Science in Medical Assisting degree program requires students to complete the General Education Requirement Areas A-H in addition to the Medical Assisting courses listed for the program.  Refer to the current College catalog for course listings and descriptions of the General Education Requirements.

View Requirements in College Catalog

Semester 1 

Total Units: 15-17 

Semester 2

Total Units: 18-23 

Semester 3

Total Units: 17.5

Semester 4

Total Units: 13.5 

Semester 5

Total Units: 14

The Associate of Science in Medical Administrative Assisting degree program requires students to complete the General Education Requirement Areas A-H in addition to the Medical Administrative Assisting courses listed for the program.  Refer to the current College catalog for course listings and descriptions of the General Education Requirements.

Classes concentrate on the medical-clerical courses with an emphasis on management skills.

View Requirements in College Catalog

Required Course: 

Total Units: 3

Choose one of the following Anatomy and Physiology options: 

OR

AND choose one of the following Physiology options: 

Total Units: 4 - 9

Semester 1 

Total Units: 14.5

Semester 2

Total Units: 17

Semester 3

Total Units: 6.5

Summer Session

Total Units: 5

The Medical Assisting Certificate Program trains students to perform administrative, clinical, and selective laboratory procedures for employment in medical offices, outpatient clinics, medical laboratories, and health centers.

The Medical Assisting Certificate Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), 9355 - 113th St. N, #7709, Seminole, FL 33775, 727-210-2350, , on recommendation of the Medical Assistant Education Review Board (MAERB).  Students who complete the Certificate of Achievement in Medical Assisting will be eligible to apply to write the national qualifying examination for certification as a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA).

View Requirements in College Catalog

Required Course: 

Total Units: 3

Choose one of the following Anatomy and Physiology options: 

OR

AND choose one of the following Physiology options: 

Total Units: 4 - 9

Semester 1 

Total Units: 19

Semester 2

Total Units: 22.5

Summer Session

Total Units: 5

Overall Total Units: 53.5 - 58.5

The Medical Biller's Certificate Program trains students in billing procedures for medical offices and outpatient facilities.  This program focuses on medical billing skills and computer applications.

View Requirements in College Catalog

Semester 1 

Total Units: 16 

Semester 2

Total Units: 15.5 

View Requirements in College Catalog

Semester 1 

Total Units: 14.5 

Semester 2

Total Units: 17.5

The Medical Evaluation Assistant (MEA) Certificate Program is designed specifically for employment within the San Francisco Department of Public Health including the neighborhood health clinics.  Students have the option of completing additional courses for a Certificate of Achievement in Medical Assisting. 

View Requirements in College Catalog

Fall Semester 

Total Units: 11

Fall Semester

Choose one of the following Anatomy and Physiology options: 

OR

AND choose one of the following Physiology options: 

Total Units: 4 - 9 

Spring Semester

Total Units: 21

Summer Session

Total Units: 5

Overall Total Units: 41 - 46

This certificate program prepares students for employment as a receptionist in a physician’s office, outpatient clinic, or other medical facility. Students receive training in computer applications, appointment scheduling, telephone etiquette, communication and professionalism, medical record preparation, medical terminology, business correspondence, insurance policies and claims completion, and first aid and CPR. Students must complete each course with a grade of “C” or higher.

View Requirements in College Catalog

Fall Semester

Choose one of the following Anatomy and Physiology options: 

OR

AND choose one of the following Physiology options: 

Total Units: 4 - 9

Required courses:

Total Units: 10.5

Spring Semester

Total Units: 15

Summer Session

Total Units: 5

Overall Total Units: 34.5 - 39.5