The medical assisting program offers a five-semester “day track” program and a “night track” program to accommodate students who work during the day. Students are encouraged to complete general studies courses while waiting to become eligible for admission to the program.

WHAT IS MEDICAL ASSISTING?
Medical assistants are medical office experts. They do not administer skilled, bedside nursing care. These skills are performed by the registered and practical nurse in a hospital or skilled nursing facility.

The medical assistant is a multi-competent professional who works in doctors’ offices, outpatient and ambulatory care clinics, and other health-related businesses. The medical assistant frequently functions as the physician’s right hand, assisting with the instruction and treatment of patients and performing the administrative tasks needed to keep an office running smoothly. The medical assistant is skilled in human relations techniques and is required to deal effectively with patients and other allied health personnel in the health care delivery system.

Clinical skills include assisting with the physical exam, measuring vital signs, height, weight, visual acuity and hearing levels. The medical assistant gives injections, applies bandages and dressings, and instructs patients in diet and at-home treatments. Medical assistants perform laboratory screening tests and EKGs. Medical assistants clean and sterilize instruments and assist with minor office surgery and therapeutic treatments ordered by the physician.

Medical assistants must have administrative skills to keep an office running smoothly. Among these skills are: word processing, insurance coding, transcribing from dictation, computer office systems, accounting, office procedures and communication/telephone skills.

Immediately upon graduation, a medical assisting graduate is eligible to take the national certification exam given by the AAMA (American Association of Medical Assistants) to become a certified medical assistant (CMA).

Second-year students are offered electives in advanced phlebotomy and ophthalmology to assist them in becoming eligible to sit for two additional national certification exams: certified phlebotomist (CLPlb) and certified ophthalmic assistant (COA).

The medical assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), on recommendation of the Curriculum Review Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants’ Endowment (CRB-AAMAE).

Medical assisting ophthalmology technical electives are accredited by The Committee on Accreditation for Ophthalmic Medical Personnel (CoA-OMP) who is sponsored by the Joint Commission of Allied Heath Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO) and the Association of Technical Personnel in Ophthalmology (ATPO).

According to various sections of the Ohio Law and Regulations for Certification and Licensure Boards, persons convicted of any felony or a misdemeanor may not be accepted into a health program at Stark State College; may not be able to take the licensure or certification examinations; may be refused acceptance of placement by the clinical/practicum sites; or may have restrictions placed on their ability to practice. For more information, contact the dean of student services and the applicable licensure/certification board.