Essentials Functions of a Medical Assistant

The Medical Assistant Program has established a skills-based externship education that allows both the faculty and the individual students to identify their strengths and weaknesses. Our program will strive to provide instruction and advice to students regarding guidelines, skills, graduation, and requirements to take the national certification exam.

Medical Assistant Administrative Duties

• Answering telephones
• Welcoming patients
• Updating and filing patient medical records
• Coding and filling out insurance forms
• Scheduling appointments
• Utilizing EHR Systems
• Arranging hospital admissions and laboratory services
• Handling correspondence, billing, and bookkeeping

Medical Assistant Clinical Duties

• Taking patient medical histories
• Preparing patients for examinations
• Assisting the physician during exams
• Collecting and preparing laboratory specimens
• Performing basic laboratory tests
• Explaining treatment procedures to patients
• Instructing patients about medication and special diets
• Preparing and administering medications as directed by a physician
• Drawing blood
• Transmitting prescription refills as directed

What qualities are needed to become a Medical Assistant

• Willingness to Help 
• Time Management Skills 
• Excellent Communicator 
• Problem Solver/Critical Thinker
• Well-Organized
• Ability to Follow Directions
• Compassionate
• Non-Judgmental
• Outgoing

Health Requirements

A confidential student health profile must be completed prior to the end of the MEDA 122 course.  All immunizations, titers, and TB screening tests must be current. An Externship Site may also require flu and/or COVID, this will be handled by the FCC MEDA Program Clinical Coordinator on a case-by-case basis.

Students approved for re-entry to a cohort must be reassessed and have a physician complete the psychological and physical abilities assessment.

During the time a student is in the program, it is the responsibility of the student to update the physical form with any changes to student's health. The Program may require a repeat student physical due to student health changes.

Other Requirements

BACKGROUND CHECK/DRUG SCREEN
All incoming students are required to submit to a criminal background check and drug screen to be completed prior to the posted due date, at the end of the MEDA 122 course. Failure to do so will result in your progression in the program.

The Drug Screen Company will notify student before posting results to verify the student has a prescription for any controlled substance. If the prescription is documented the student screen is cleared. Students are encouraged to retest if there is a question about inadvertent exposure. When the student obtains a clear test result, they may move forward in the program.

*Some health systems require FBI fingerprinting, additional state specific background checks, child welfare clearance and a two-part PPD test. This will be the student’s responsibility to work with the coordinators of these Externship sites to obtain the necessary requirements.

CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION (CPR) 
All students must submit proof of current CPR certification. Basic Life Support or Healthcare Provider CPR is the ONLY accepted CPR certification. This certification includes adult, pediatric and infant CPR training with AED. Certification must be kept current throughout the Medical Assistant Program.