Medical assistants are health care professionals who work in physicians' offices or other ambulatory care settings as part of the health care team. Medical assistants are trained to competently perform a broad range of administrative, clinical and laboratory duties required by modern medical practices. Because of the versatility of the medical assistant profession, the specific duties performed on a daily basis may vary by place of employment.
All medical assistants must work under the supervision of a medical provider. Most employers require medical assistants to obtain their medical assistant credential upon completion of their education, and maintain it throughout employment. Successful medical assistants display a devotion to serving others, a passion for learning, and a commitment to professional excellence.
The Medical Assistant Program at Greenville Technical College is designed to prepare students for professional success through hands-on training, practicum experience in physicians' offices, and curriculum designed to enhance knowledge and proficiency. Graduates of this program are eligible to pursue the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
Learn about $0 tuition for Spring Semester.
Well-trained and credentialed medical assistants are in high-demand and are actively recruited by employers, both locally and nationwide.
National Outlook
Medical Assisting is projected by the Department of Labor to be one of the fastest growing careers in health care, expected to grow 18% from 2020-2030. National career information for medical assistants is available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Local Opportunities
Learn about real-time job openings and salary information through Career Coach.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THE PROGRAM
The Medical Assistant program curriculum has been developed to meet the requirements of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board. Successful students are able to competently demonstrate the necessary knowledge, skills and professional behaviors necessary to provide quality patient care. Areas of focus include:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Nutrition
- Applied Mathematics
- Infection Control and Protective Practices
- Concepts of Effective Communication
- Administrative Functions, Basic Practice Finances, and Third Party Reimbursement
- Procedural and Diagnostic Coding
- Legal Implications and Ethical Considerations
Below you will find examples of curriculum topics covered in our program, in preparation for performing the typical duties of entry-level medical assistants:
- Assist the medical provider with patient care and education
- Collect patient information and document in the medical record
- Obtain vital signs, patient measurements, and laboratory specimens
- Prepare medical supplies and equipment
- Administer medications and perform tests and treatments per physician order
- Perform patient screening using established protocols
- Explain patient rights and office policies
- Process referrals, prior-authorizations and other orders
- Perform medical administrative functions, including patient scheduling, billing, and coding
- Advocate on behalf of patients and assist them with navigating the healthcare system
- Serve diverse patient populations as members of a health care team
Additional program information can be found in the section Program Goals and Outcomes below.
The Medical Assistant Program at Greenville Technical College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (//www.maerb.com).
CAAHEP
9355 - 113th St. N. #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
Phone: (727) 210-2350
//www.caahep.org
Published annual program outcomes can be found below under the tab PROGRAM OUTCOMES.
Credentialing
Graduates of the Greenville Technical College
Medical Assistant program are eligible to pursue the Certified Medical Assistant - CMA (AAMA) credential through the American Association of Medical Assistants. Initial certification is awarded to graduates who successfully complete the certification examination.
The value of the CMA (AAMA) credential is recognized by employers across the country. CMA (AAMA) skills are in demand in a wide range of health care delivery settings, and the credential is valid wherever the CMA (AAMA) goes. For more information, visit the AAMA website: //www.aama-ntl.org/
Professional Licensure and Certification Requirements
Students who are considering an academic program that may allow them to pursue professional licensure in another state are strongly encouraged to check that state’s information and contact the appropriate licensing agency for additional information and guidance before beginning the program.
Greenville Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate degrees and baccalaureate degrees. Questions about the accreditation of Greenville Technical College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
Medical Assistant
Certificate in Applied Science
This program trains students to become versatile medical assisting professionals who work in various roles in outpatient clinics.
This 38-credit hour program is designed as a 1 + 1 program.
- Phase I includes 13 credit hours of general education courses, which may be completed on a full-time or part-time basis, at Greenville Technical College or transferred in from other similarly-accredited colleges.
- Upon successful completion of Phase I, qualified students may apply to Phase II, which includes all medical assistant coursework and clinicals.
- Phase II consists of 25 credit hours, which are completed over three consecutive semesters, beginning in the fall. Courses are a combination of hybrid and face-to-face and are held at Greenville Technical College's Northwest Campus with scheduled practicum rotations held at a variety of off-campus facilities.
Medical Assistant program details from our current catalog »
Medical Scribe Specialist
Certificate in Applied Science
Please note, as of September 2, 2022, this program is closed and no longer accepting new
students.
This program teaches the skills and knowledge required by our community of employers to perform the varied functions required of the medical scribe.
Entry into this program is restricted to students who meet program-entry requirements.
Medical Scribe Specialist details from our current catalog »
Requirements for Medical Assistant Program Admissions
In addition to the Greenville Technical College admissions process outlined in these Enrollment Steps, students interested in the Medical Assistant program must also
- understand the School of Health Sciences policies
- successfully complete Career Talk
- submit the weighted application for the program of interest
Policies
The Medical Assistant program strictly adheres to all School of Health Sciences policies, which are detailed on the Health Sciences admissions information page.
Career Talk
Participating in a Career Talk session is a requirement for all Health Sciences students.
View the Medical Assistant Career Talk »
Weighted Admission Form - Medical Assistant Certificate in Applied Science
The application submission process for GTC's Medical Assistant program is now electronic. The electronic application will only be accessible during the application acceptance period, March 15-May 15. Applications are not accepted during any other timeframe. Questions related to the Weighted Admission process may be directed to .
- To review the form prior to submitting, please view
this sample form (pdf) »
This pdf will not be accepted as an official application. It is for reference only.
- To submit an application, you must log in using your GTC student access.
Access the Medical Assistant Weighted Admission form »
Additional Requirements
Program Orientation
Students accepted into Phase II are required to attend an orientation session
held prior to the fall semester of MED courses.
Mandatory Unpaid Practicum Experience
Medical Assistant students must complete two mandatory practicum experiences, for a total of 200 hours during their education. During this time, students must not receive compensation/payment, monetary or otherwise, from the practice providing the practicum experience. Practicum placements occur within the following courses: MED 107 and MED 156.
PROGRAM GOALS
The Medical Assistant Program at Greenville Technical College, working with all communities of interest, will provide quality, outcomes-based education and training in a secure environment conducive to learning.
- In the cognitive domain, students will receive the required curriculum from qualified instructors in formats that will accommodate different learning styles. Assessments will be utilized to ensure competency and document grasp of content. Communities of interest will have input as to the appropriateness of curriculum through survey and interview.
- In the affective domain, students will be presented scenarios to demonstrate communication and critical thinking skills in order to prepare them for situations they will confront in the workplace.
- In the psychomotor domain, students will be offered the opportunity for hands-on skill training to achieve competency prior to working as an entry-level medical assistant.
Instruction will be structured to meet all required curriculum standards for training the entry-level medical assistant.
The program will work to instill the qualities of professionalism, integrity and responsibility in our students to prepare them to be outstanding members of the medical assisting community.
PROGRAM VALUES
The Medical Assistant Program at Greenville Technical College values learning, integrity, diversity, cooperation, excellence and accountability. Communities of interest strive to successfully prepare entry-level medical assistants who exemplify these qualities. Graduates will demonstrate critical thinking, commitment to safe practices, effective communication, empathetic and professional patient care, and are able to competently perform the core administrative and clinical skills required by medical practices and other ambulatory care environments. The program will prepare medical assistants who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains required to enter the profession.
PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of the medical assistant program, a successful student will:
- accurately perform clinical and administrative skills required of entry-level medical assistants
- demonstrate the clinical and administrative knowledge required of entry-level medical assistants
- demonstrate compliance with laws governing healthcare and the profession of medical assistants
- demonstrate professional and ethical behavior appropriate to the role of a medical assistant
- communicate effectively with others
- demonstrate cultural awareness and sensitivity to diverse populations
- apply critical thinking skills appropriate to both academic and professional environments
- provide quality patient care
GRADUATE OUTCOMES
Highlights from the 2021 Annual Report to the Medical Assistant Educational Review Board indicate that:
- 2019 Graduates of the program are extremely satisfied with the education that they receive - they reported 100% graduate satisfaction.
- Employers have expressed 100% employer satisfaction over the last 5 years.
- Among 2019 graduates, 100% of those who attempted the medical assistant credentialing examination through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) were successful in becoming certified.
- Our five-year average credentialing examination pass rate is currently 94.44%.