Medical Assistant - Program Details

The medical assistant program uses a cohort model for all classes in the program. You start the program with your classmates, learn together, and graduate together. You will gain medical knowledge in administration and billing as well as in procedures like blood draws and laboratory tests. The program ends with a three-month practical experience in an outpatient clinic in the Portland metro area.

Becoming a Medical Assistant

This program only starts summer term and runs consecutively through the winter term for a total of 38 credits. There are two prerequisite courses and then three terms of full-time study. This program will prepare you to take a national certification exam to become a credentialed medical assistant.

Program Outcomes

After completing this program you'll be able to:

• Perform administrative office duties in an ambulatory health care setting.
• Perform technical clinical skills accurately while providing services and care for patients in the medical office environment.
• Recognize and problem-solve situations related to the medical office environment.
• Communicate effectively with patients, physicians, and co-workers.
• Demonstrate proficient knowledge of medical terminology and mathematical calculations related to the health care environment.
• Perform in a safe manner that minimizes risk to patients, self, and others.
• Demonstrate professional conduct and apply legal, social, and ethical responsibilities within the health care environment.
• Complete the National Certification exam.

Courses and Curriculum

Courses in this program include topics like medical documentation, ambulatory health care, and medical office clinical procedures.

Explore the Course Curriculum

Your Future in Health Care

As a medical assistant, you will show patients to the exam room, take vital signs, perform laboratory tests and procedures, and more.

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