The Anoka Technical College Medical Assistant Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree includes the accredited 37-credit diploma. This program prepares students to be a professional, multi-skilled medical assistant who is dedicated to assist in patient care management. Graduates are prepared to assist medical providers with examinations and treatments, conduct medical histories, perform Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) waived testing, sterilize instruments and supplies, assist with minor surgery, medical office administrative services and administer medications. Graduates of the Medical Assistant program are eligible to take the Certification Exam of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
Upon graduation, students will earn both an accredited diploma and the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. The 27 credits of general education are Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) courses for students who wish to continue advanced healthcare education.
Source: Medical Assisting Education Review Board's (MAERB) Annual Report Form (ARF)
Program Learning Outcomes
The goal of the Anoka Technical College Medical Assistant is to produce graduates who:
- Demonstrate knowledge of clinical procedures, laboratory and medication administration in a medical practice utilizing critical thinking skills.
- Apply knowledge of medical laboratory techniques to accurately collect specimens, perform Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) waived testing, and report lab results appropriately.
- Communicate effectively with individuals, families, groups, and/or colleagues of diverse sociocultural backgrounds through the use of verbal and non-verbal skills, written abilities, active listening, and information technologies within ambulatory care settings.
- Identify, interpret, and apply ethical, legal and social issues associated within the field of a medical assistant scope of practice.
- Employ a variety of administrative policies, procedures and techniques in a medical practice to deliver cost effective and quality healthcare.
- Professionally demonstrate confidentiality, communicate effectively, collaborating within teams along with professionalism.
- Use computer literacy skills and the ability to maintain electronic health records.
- Illustrate a caring and empathic approach to all people and cultures when interacting with a diverse patient population in the healthcare field.
- Reinforce healthy lifestyles through health promotion education of teaching individuals, families, and the community.
- Successful completion of the AAS degree will provide transferable credits that allow students to continue their higher education.
Career Opportunities
A medical assistant is eligible to work in clinics, urgent care/express care/ minute clinics, blood collection centers, research facilities and insurance companies. Duties could include administering injections, taking blood pressure readings, rooming patients, drawing blood, performing commonly ordered laboratory tests and electrocardiograms (EKG), insurance coding, medical records and scheduling patients for special procedures or other medical appointment.
Medical assistants have direct patient contact and work closely with physicians, nurses and other health care professionals. The ability to demonstrate professionalism, communicate effectively, multitask, and perform procedures quickly and accurately is essential for success.
Advancement typically requires more training and certification. Many medical assistants choose to become nurses or other health care workers through further study. Administrative positions provide another popular career path because an administrative medical assistant can rise to the position of office manager without additional education.
Wage information is available from the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.
Accreditation
The Anoka Technical College Medical Assistant diploma program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB).
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355 135th St N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
727-210-2350
www.caahep.org
Program Goals
- To prepare medical assistants who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession
- Continue to provide quality graduates to support the needs of our community and area employers
- Help students and communities live and learn well
- Foster an environment of critical thinking, effective communication, personal responsibility and initiative
Medical Assistants Study
| Sterile Technique |
Rapid Strep Test |
Medical Computer Scheduling |
| Suture Removal |
White Blood Counts |
Medical Software |
| Physician Procedures |
Cholesterol Levels |
Insurance Billing |
|
|
Diagnostic Codes |
Certification
Graduates can take the National Certification Examination to become certified with the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
Background Study
Minnesota Law requires that any person who provides services that involve direct contact with patients and residents at a health care facility licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health have a background study conducted by the state.
Admission Requirements
Successfully complete assessment requirement
- Score of 275 or higher on the Arithmetic portion of the NextGen Accuplacer or Anoka Tech Math 0801 with a grade of “B” or betteror equivalent test score taken within the past 2 years.
- Score of 250 or higher on the Reading portion of the NextGen Accuplacer or ENGL 0102 or ENGL 0960 and READ 0900 or READ 0960 taken in the last three years or appropriate test score.
- A minimum Computer Keyboarding assessment score of 25 wpm with a 93% accuracy rate or completion of a basic keyboarding course with a minimum “C” grade.
Course Prerequisites
Some courses in this program may require a prerequisite. Please see course descriptions for more details.
Program Sequence
MnTC General Education & Elective Requirements
|
| This program requires completion of the following twenty-seven credits of general education from at least three goal areas of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC). Refer to the MnTC course list for elective courses: |
COMM 1055
|
Strengths and Wellness (Goal 1&2) |
3
|
PSYC 1406
|
General Psychology (Goal 5) |
4 |
PSYC 1506
|
Lifespan Development (Goal 5) |
4 |
SPCH 1200
|
Interpersonal Communication (Goal 1&7) |
3 |
SPCH 1500
|
Intercultural Communications (Goal 1&7) |
3 |
SOSC 1010
|
Introduction to Sociology (Goal 5&7) |
3 |
SOSC 2000
|
Sociology of Work (Goal 5) |
4 |
BIOL 1106
|
Principles of Biology (Goal 2&3) |
4 |
BIOL 2100
|
Anatomy & Physiology I (Goal 2&3) |
4 |
BIOL 2200
|
Anatomy & Physiology II (Goal 2&3) |
4 |
Or elective course(s):
|
|
|
EMED 1076
|
BLS for Healthcare Provider |
1
|
HLTH 1110
|
ECG |
1 |
Fall Semester
|
15
|
| HLTH 1005 |
Anatomy and Physiology
|
4
|
HLTH 1040
|
Medical Terminology
|
2
|
MAST 1200
|
Medical Assistant Seminar
|
2 |
MAST 1301
|
Medical Administrative for Medical Assistants |
4
|
MAST 1401
|
Introduction to Pharmacology |
2
|
MATH 1010
|
Dosage Calculations
|
1
|
Spring Semester
|
16
|
ENGL 1107
|
Composition I |
4
|
MAST 1602
|
Introduction to Laboratory Skills
|
5
|
MAST 1701
|
Clinical Procedures I
|
4
|
MAST 2701
|
Clinical Procedures II
|
3
|
Summer Semester
|
6
|
MAST 2901
|
Externship |
6
|
Fall Semester
|
12
|
MnTC Electives
|
|
12
|
Spring Semester
|
11
|
MnTC Electives
|
|
11
|
Part-Time Options
Students can choose to start the Medical Assistant programs part-time. Students who start part-time will take longer to complete the program than students who follow the full-time sequence listed on the official program guides. Note: It is not possible to complete the full MA program at a part-time rate. Because every course may not be offered each semester, it is important for part-time students to reach out to their faculty advisor for help in planning their long-term course sequence.
If you need help picking out your first semester courses, reach out to your faculty advisor or enrollment services (contact info can be found under the “Contact” section on the top right portion of this page).
Part-time OptionsGraduation Requirements
All courses required for this program must be completed with a grade of C or higher.
USDE Professional Licensure Disclosure
Arizona, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Washington require the completion of some sort of medical assisting education program. However, CAAHEP accredited medical assisting programs meet the requirements of these six states. Therefore, our program meets the educational requirements of these states. All other 44 states do not require certification and because our program exceeds that requirement by leading to certification we have determined we meet the requirements to become a medical assistant in those 44 states.
Faculty