Health Care Education

New Medical Assistant Program

Whether you're choosing a date, opening up a business or exploring a career it's good to check out the competition.  
 
If the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics labels an occupation as one of the fastest growing occupations in the next decade you pay attention.  
 
And if recruiters start appearing in your own hometown, maybe it’s time to review your skills and brush up on your resume.

One of the fastest growing occupations

As one of the fastest growing occupations in the nation, medical assistants should see a 58 percent increase in job opportunities in Yavapai, Apache, Coconino and Navajo counties. To meet the growing need, Yavapai College’s new Medical Assistant certificate is designed for working students.

No background necessary

“A medical assistant is the person who welcomes you into the examining room, takes your medical history, temperature, blood pressure, height, weight, and prepares you for the doctor’s examination,” said Effie Hacklander PhD., Yavapai College special projects coordinator. “Like other areas of healthcare, technology has changed the work environment, and formalized training shortens the on-the-job training that is needed. Medical assistants are now expected to be able to use computers and data bases, know laboratory testing procedures and use more sophisticated instruments.”  
 
The program is appropriate for students with no background in allied health or those already working in the field. The only requirement is a current CPR certification, and students can take that concurrently during their first semester or obtain it elsewhere. Fingerprint clearance and current immunizations are required before entering HCE 121 Medical Assisting II.  
 
Students already working in the medical industry may be able to earn credit for prior experience. For more information about prior learning, call Hacklander at 928-717-7624.  
 
Classes begin each semester, including summer.

Certificate Requirements:
 
• HCE 100 Fundamental of Health Care
 
• HCE 103 Phlebotomy (includes lab)
 
• HCE 110 Medical Terminology for Patient Care Staff (offered online only)
 
• HCE 120 Foundations of Medical Assisting I
 
• HCE 121 Foundations of Medical Assisting II (includes lab)
 
• HCE 296 Internship: Medical Assistant
 
• BSA 109 Intro to Medical Coding
 
• CSA 109 Computers in the Medical Office
 
• SPA 125 Spanish for Medical Professionals

After completing all of the required courses with a grade of C or better, students will receive a certificate from Yavapai College and be eligible to sit for a national certification exam through the National Center for competency testing. For more information go to http://www.ncctinc.com/.