Program Information
-
Location: Downtown Milwaukee Campus
- Pathway: Healthcare
- Program Code: 31-509-1
- Offering: In-class
- Degree Type: Technical Diploma
- Start Dates: August/January
About the Medical Assistant Diploma
Description
The Medical Assistant program prepares individuals to assist physicians in their offices or other medical settings. Medical assistants perform a wide range of duties. The medical assistant is responsible for medical and surgical asepsis, taking vital signs, assisting the physician with examinations and surgery, administering ECGs, and administering medications. The business/administrative duties include patient reception, appointment making, record keeping, filing, bookkeeping, insurance handling, typing medical correspondence, and transcription and microcomputer applications. Laboratory functions include specimen collection, performance of basic laboratory tests, and microscopic work.
Additional program details: For entry into the program, students are required to obtain certification through successful completion of the Basic Life Support CPR course for Healthcare Providers from the American Heart Association (AHA). A First Aid Training certificate is also a required prerequisite for entrance.
All Medical Assistant (MEDAST) courses must be completed within 18 months of starting the program’s technical courses.
The medical assistant program at MATC has a five year cumulative job placement rate of 81.66%.
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Detailed Program Information
2024-25 Curriculum
| Course | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HEALTH-101 | Medical Terminology * | 3 |
| HEALTH-107 | Digital Literacy for Healthcare * | 2 |
| MEDAST-301 | Medical Assistant Administrative Procedures ‡ | 2 |
| MEDAST-302 | Human Body in Health and Disease ‡ | 3 |
| MEDAST-303 | Medical Assistant Lab Procedures 1 ‡ | 2 |
| MEDAST-304 | Medical Assistant Clinical Procedures 1 ‡ | 4 |
| MEDAST-309 | Medical Law, Ethics and Professionalism | 2 |
| ENG-195 |
Written Communication ‡ (or) ENG-201 English 1 ‡ |
3 |
| MEDAST-305 | Medical Assistant Laboratory Procedures 2 ‡ | 2 |
| MEDAST-306 | Medical Assistant Clinical Procedures 2 ‡ | 3 |
| MEDAST-307 | Medical Office Insurance and Finance ‡ | 2 |
| MEDAST-308 | Pharmacology for Allied Health ‡ | 2 |
| MEDAST-310 | Medical Assistant Practicum ‡ | 3 |
|
TOTAL CREDITS |
33 |
‡ Prerequisite required.
* May be taken prior to entering the program.
All MEDAST courses must be completed within 18 months of starting technical courses in the program.
Program curriculum requirements are subject to change.
Current MATC students should consult their Academic Program Plan for specific curriculum requirements.
Search for available classes now (link) to see course descriptions, class times and locations.
Already a student? You can visit Self-Service (link) and choose Student Planning to register for classes.
Important Dates
Fall start: Petition for program in March
Spring start: Petition for program in October
Deadlines and important dates can be found on:
Cost & Aid Deadlines
Also, you can find dates and deadlines on the MATC Events Calendar
Program Outcomes
- Perform medical office administrative functions
- Provide patient care in accordance with regulations, policies, laws, and patient rights
- Perform medical laboratory procedures
- Demonstrate professionalism in a healthcare setting
- Demonstrate safety and emergency practices in a healthcare setting
Career Outlook
The demand for Certified Medical Assistants continues to grow. Graduates perform various functions such as drawing blood, administering EKGs and carrying out lab procedures. In small offices, medical assistants serve as receptionists, secretaries, billing and insurance clerks and transcriptionists. For additional career information, visit http://www.aama-ntl.org.
Possible Careers
Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
Medical Assistant
Office Manager
Admission Requirements
This program admits students through a petition selection process.
Learn more about the petition process
The following are required for admission:
- C or higher in the following courses: High school biology or one semester of college-level biology
- C or higher in the following courses:
- ENG-195 or ENG-201
- HEALTH-101
- HEALTH-107
- Cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 2.3 or higher
- Fall start: Petition for program in March
- Spring start: Petition for program in October
Scholarships
Accreditation
The Medical Assistant diploma program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs https://www.caahep.org/ upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board.
READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP?
Use the buttons below to get more information, visit the college or apply now.
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QUESTIONS?
Healthcare Academic & Career Pathway
414-297-6263
262-238-2281
healthpathway@matc.edu