The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Medical Assistant prepares students in the first year of the curriculum to perform initial clerical and administrative duties in medical, clinical, hospitals, and other medical facilities. The student will be prepared to schedule and receive patients, obtain patient data, receive payment, maintain medical records, data processing, perform general office skills, operate office equipment, and assume medical office responsibilities.
The second year adds skills in pharmacology, phlebotomy, and clinical skills with emphasis on the role of the medical assistant as an integral member of the medical care delivery team. This includes performing patient intake, medication documentation, routine diagnostics and recording procedures, pre-examination and examination assistance, preparing and administering medications, and first aid. Students are instructed in basic anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, medical law and ethics, patient psychology and communication, medical office procedures, clinical diagnostic examination, testing and treatment procedures.
Three different career pathways can lead to the AAS Medical Assistant. To see how this program links to others in the Pathway click here.
Entry Requirements
This is a restricted-entry program and students must submit a separate application along with their college admission application. For more information contact the administrative assistant, Sumner Hall, Rm 4 541-888-7443 or the director at 541-888-7298. Click here to view more information about the Nursing & Allied Health program.
Students are required to complete the College's placement process to determine skill level and readiness in math, reading and writing. As part of their training program, students must begin with the courses within their skill level as determined by the placement process.
Due to the nature of this curriculum and the access to drugs, all students will have to declare themselves “drug free” and be subject to a criminal background check. Any student who is unable, for any reason, to complete the practice parts of this curriculum will not be able to continue in the program. Drug testing will be done prior to clinical practice. Graduates may choose to take a national certification examination at the successful conclusion of the program.
Graduation Requirements
Students must complete a minimum of 90 credit hours with a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 or better. All courses must be completed with a grade of ‘C’ or better. Twenty-four (24) credits must be completed at Southwestern before the AAS Medical Assistant degree is awarded.
Complete the graduation application process one term prior to the term of completion (e.g., spring term graduates must apply during winter term).
Pre-Program Courses
Students are required to take the following courses prior to the program courses, depending on students' college placement information. See advisor for details:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CIS90 | Computer Basics (or demonstrate proficiency) | 2 |
| MTH20 | Basic Mathematics (or placement in higher math course) | 4 |
| OA121 | Beginning Keyboarding | 3 |
| WR90R | Academic Literacy (or placement in higher writing course) | 4 |
Program Guide
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| AH100 | Introduction to Health Care Careers | 2 |
| AH111 | Medical Terminology I | 3 |
| MTH60 | Algebra I 1 | 4 |
| AH121 | Body Structures and Functions I 2 | 3 |
| OA124 | Keyboard Skill Building | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Winter | ||
| AH112 | Medical Terminology II | 3 |
| AH122 | Body Structures and Functions II 2 | 3 |
| AH150 | Medical Office Coding | 3 |
| HIM110 | Health Information Technology | 5 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| AH151 | Reimbursement Management | 3 |
| AH152 | Medical Law and Ethics | 2 |
| CIS120 | Concepts of Computing | 4 |
| OA116 | Office Procedures | 3 |
| WR115 | Introduction to Expository Writing (or higher) | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| AH131 | Clinical Procedures I 3 | 4 |
| AH280A | CWE: Allied Health Front Office 3,4 | 2 |
| CLA100 | Clinical Lab Asst Skills I 3 | 4 |
| OA205 | Proofreading and Editing | 3 |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Winter | ||
| AC2764 or BA212 |
Small Business Accounting or Principles of Accounting II |
4 |
| AH132 | Clinical Procedures II 3 | 4 |
| OA240 | Filing and Records Management | 3 |
| PHAR5472 | Pharmacology I | 3 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| BA177 | Payroll Records and Accounting | 3 |
| PE231 | Wellness for Life 5 | 3 |
| SP218 | Interpersonal Communication 6 | 3 |
| BA285 | Human Relations in Organizations 7 | 3 |
| Specific Elective 8 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Summer | ||
| AH280B | CWE: Allied Health Back Office 3,9 | 4 |
| Credits | 4 | |
| Total Credits | 90 | |
| 1 | MTH65 Algebra II, MTH95 Intermediate Algebra, or higher may be substituted for MTH60 Algebra I. |
| 2 | BI231 Human Anatomy and Physiology I, BI232 Human Anatomy and Physiology II, and BI233 Human Anatomy and Physiology III sequence may be substituted for AH121 Body Structures and Functions I & AH122 Body Structures and Functions II. |
| 3 | This course requires an application to be submitted to document requirements such as immunizations, drug screen, current CPR card, and criminal background check. See Oregon Health Authority, Chapter 409, Division 30 for details. |
| 4 | All of the first year courses must be completed with a grade of 'C' or better before taking AH280A CWE: Allied Health Front Office. |
| 5 | HE250 Personal Health or three (3) credits of PE185 sport/activity courses may be substituted for PE231 Wellness for Life. |
| 6 | SP100 Basic Speech Communications, SP111 Fundamentals of Public Speaking, or SP219 Small Group Discussion may be substituted for SP218 Interpersonal Communication. |
| 7 | PSY203 General Psychology or PSY203H General Psychology w/Honors may be substituted for BA285 Human Relations in Organizations. |
| 8 | Specific Elective: PHL103 Intro to Logic and Critical Thnkg, CHEM110 Foundations of General, Organic, and Biochemistry, CHEM110H Foundations of General Organic, and Biochemistry w/Honors, PHAR5473 Pharmacology II, BI149 Introduction to Human Genetics, or FN225 Nutrition. |
| 9 | All of the first and second year courses must be completed with a grade of 'C' or better before taking AH280B CWE: Allied Health Back Office. |
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate general knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, and medical law and ethics.
- Demonstrate proficiency in medical office administrative practices.
- Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of clinical practice.