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Medical Assisting
The 2 year Associate of Applied Science Degree and 1 year Certificate in Medical Assisting Programs offered through OCC are accredited through CAAHEP and the AAMA, You may check out these links. ONE OF THE 10 FASTEST GROWING OCCUPATIONS THROUGH THE YEAR 2006 (Occupational Outlook Handbook, 1997) According to the United States Department of Labor, health care will continue to be one of the fastest growing industries in our economy. Employment in health-related occupations is projected to grow from 8.9 million(1994) to 12.8 million by the year 2005. Healthcare’s most versatile professionals, Medical assistants, are multi-skilled practitioners who perform a wide range of roles in physician’s offices and other health care settings. They are proficient in administrative and clinical tasks and are viewed by doctors as vital partners in increasing medical office productivity. EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES OCC meets your specific needs by offering several educational options. In addition to the 2 year Associate Degree in Applied Science (71 credit hours) and the 1 year Certificate, (42 credit hours), the student may acquire a marketable skill in less than 1 year(12 - 21 credit hours). By successfully completing only a handful of specialty classes a student may be eligible for a certificate of completion documenting knowledge in a specific area which can earn employment in a designated area. Those specialties include: EKG, Phlebotomy, Insurance Billing, Ophthalmic Assistant, and Administrative and Clinical areas. For more information please contact Karen Kittle at kakittle@oaklandcc.edu or call (248) 942-3068. EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Medical Assistants are multi-skilled allied health professionals. Duties vary from office to office depending on location and size of the practice and the physician’s specialty. Potential employment opportunities include private physician’s practice, clinics, chiropractic clinics, podiatry offices, hospitals, insurance billing agencies, medical transcription agencies, ophthalmology clinics, laboratories and emergency rooms. Medical Assistants perform many clerical duties. They answer telephones, greet patients, update and file patient medical records, fill out insurance forms, handle correspondence, schedule appointments, arrange for hospital admission and laboratory services, and handle billing and bookkeeping. Clinical duties vary according to state law and include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories; explaining treatment procedures to patients; preparing patients for examination; and assisting during examination. Medical Assistants collect and prepare laboratory specimens or perform basic laboratory tests on the premises; dispose of contaminated supplies; sterilize medical instruments. They instruct patients about medication and special diets, prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician, authorize drug refills as directed, telephone prescriptions to a pharmacy, draw blood, prepare patients for X-rays, take EKG’s, remove sutures, and change dressings. Medical Assistants may arrange examining room equipment, purchase and maintain supplies and equipment, and keep waiting and examining rooms neat and clean. Assistants who take specialty classes may have additional duties. Ophthalmic medical assistants help ophthalmologists provide medical eye care. They use precision instruments to administer diagnostic tests, measure and record vision, and test the functioning of eyes and eye muscles. They also show patients how to use eye dressings, protective shields, and safety glasses, and insert, remove and care for contact lenses. Under the direction of the physician, they may administer medications, including eye drops. They also maintain optical and surgical instruments and assist the ophthalmologist in surgery. ACCREDITATION OCC’s Medical Assisting Program is nationally accredited through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), on recommendation of the Curriculum Review Board of the American Association of Medical Assistant's' Endowment (AAMAE). Accreditation with CAAHEP allows for OCC Medical Assisting graduates of both the 2 year Associate Degree and the 1 year Certificate programs to sit the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) certification exam immediately after graduation. CERTIFICATION Certification is a national test given twice a year by the AAMA which documents the knowledge attained through formal training. The CMA (Certified Medical Assistant) is nationally recognized as a qualified, professional and multi-skilled, member of the health care team who shows commitment through continuing education and proof of continuing competence. The test to become a CMA given by the AAMA is the only test recognized by the AMA (American Medical Association). **OCC is a site for the June AAMA/CMA registry exam. AAMA With over 400 chapters nationwide, AAMA is the premier organization serving the professional interests of medical assistants. OCC works closely with the association to insure quality education for students. OCC’s Medical Assistants have tested consistently and remain at the top 6% of the nation. |
