PROGRAM INFORMATION
The Medical Assistant is a trained health care professional that is at the forefront of providing effective and efficient health care to patients in a variety of ambulatory health care settings such as physician's offices and clinics. The Medical Assistant is cross-trained in medical administrative and clinical duties necessary to maintain an efficient professional medical facility including:
- Update patient records
- Complete insurance paperwork (billing and coding)
- Schedule patients
- Answer telephones
- Perform EKG
- Phlebotomy
- Administer injections
- Obtain vital signs
- Change dressings
- Remove stitches
- Wound care
- Prepare patients for procedures
- Perform tests (vision, hearing)
- Collect specimen
This in-demand occupation offers an expansive scope of healthcare and according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for medical assistants is projected to grow much faster than average for all occupations.
The Associate degree in applied science is a two-year program offering students additional clinical training including a third and fourth clinical rotation during the last year of the program. Upon completion of the program, eligible students may apply for graduation from Laredo College and exit the program with an Associate of Applied Science degree and sit for the national clinical medical assistant certification.
Career and Transfer Opportunities
Medical Assistants with an Associate of Applied Science degree can transfer core courses to complete a Bachelor Degree from:
- Laredo College: Bachelor of Organizational Leadership - Medical Assistant. Source: Laredo College
- Texas A & M International University: Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS). Source: TAMIU
- South Texas College: Bachelor of Applied Technology in Medical and Health Sciences Management. Source: South Texas College
- Texas Tech University- Health Sciences Center: Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management. Source: Texas Tech University
- University of Texas- RGV: Bachelor of Applied Technology in Health Services Technology (BAT HST). Source: UTRGV
Clinical Education
The student is assigned to an ambulatory health care office or clinic to develop clinical skills under the supervision of assigned facility staff. The student must master technical standards that represent the essential requirements of a successful Medial Assistant. Applicants may be required to work with clients who speak Spanish.
Click on Medical Assistant Guided Pathway to download the curriculum guide.
Please note: Students must maintain a grade of "C" or better in all coursework and be in compliance with all program, institutional, and clinical site policies and procedures in order to progress through the curriculum.
Accreditation and Certification
Students who graduate with an AAS degree are eligible to earn the following certifications from the American Medical Certification Association (AMCA):
- Medical Assistant Certification (MAC)
- Clinical Medical Assistant Certification (CMAC)