Medical Assisting

Medical Careers Institute’s “hands-on” learning environment allows students to gain “real world” experience in the classroom, and then apply it through externship experiences in a variety of settings. Through this program, you can learn how to:

• Conduct patient interviews and take medical histories
• Check vital signs
• Prepare patients for examination
• Assist with surgical procedures
• Collect specimens
• Perform various laboratory tests and EKGs
• Review and process payments
• Prepare billing statements
• Schedule appointments

Coursework includes:

• Physiology
• Anatomy
• Pharmacology
• Clinical Procedures
• Computer Applications

Upon completion, graduates with an Associate of Science Degree in Health Science with a concentration in Medical Assisting could possibly pursue entry-level career opportunities such as the following:

• Medical Assistants
• Phlebotomists
• EKG technicians
• Physician offices
• Clinics
• Related healthcare settings

Experienced Medical Assistants may function in supervisory or managerial capacities including personnel selection, hiring, and evaluation. Following graduation, you are qualified to take professional certification exams.

Program Requirements - Virginia

Program includes a total of 1,170 contact hours.

*These courses are available online for Medical Assisting students

Program Requirements - North Carolina

Program includes a total of 1,170 contact hours.

*These courses are available online for Medical Assisting students

Program Requirements - South Carolina

Program includes a total of 1,170 contact hours.

*These courses are available online for Medical Assisting students

Upon completion of ECPI University’s Medical Assistant Associate of Applied Science Degree or the Medical Assistant Diploma program you will be eligible to take the following certifications:

• Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) from the American Medical Technologist (AMT)
• Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) from the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)
• Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) from the National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) from the National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• Certified EKG Technician (CET) from the National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) from the National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• Certified Electronic Health Record Specialist (CEHRS) from the National Healthcareer Association (NHA)

Additional Outcomes:

• Demonstrate characteristics of self direction and accountability with strong educational foundations for lifelong personal and professional growth.
• Demonstrate critical thinking skills to effectively address patient care and to adapt to the rapidly changing challenges in healthcare and medical assisting.
• Provide clinically competent, contemporary care that recognizes individual differences and promotes caring behavior in the health care community.
• Function as competent, beginning practitioner in both clinical and administrative procedures for the medical office.
• Be eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant Exam offered through AAMA and/or the RMA exam by AMT.
• Program provides comprehensive preparation of graduates for work in the career field.

The following are the employment rates as reported to the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) for the July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2018 period.

• Northern Virginia, VA - 82%
• Roanoke, VA - 71%
• Richmond, VA Moorefield - 84%
• Richmond, VA Emerywood - 72%
• Virginia Beach, VA - 71%
• Newport News, VA - 80%
• Charlotte, NC - 77%
• Greensboro, NC - 72%
• Charleston, SC - 72%
• Raleigh, NC - 78%
• Greenville, SC - 76%
• Columbia, SC - 86%

Employment rates for the Medical Assisting program are calculated using the standards set by ABHES, the accreditor for this program. ABHES mandates the University to take the total number of graduates in the period less graduates who have provided documentation to the University that they have health-related issues, military obligations, incarceration, continuing education status, or death. Students are considered employed if the University has established that the student is employed at least part-time in a position where job function are in the field of training or related to the skills and knowledge acquired through successful completion of the training program for 15 business days. The position could be obtained prior to graduation or even prior to the program start date.