Medical Assisting

1. Apply to A-B Tech online at Admissions Overview.
2. Apply for the Medical Assisting Program at the Bailey Building or by emailing advising@abtech.edu.
3. The first 25 qualified applicants will be accepted for the A.A.S. Degree; an alternate list will be generated.

• Complete placement at the college level in Math and English. Complete all developmental coursework prior to June 1, 2020, or have transfer credit for college English and math (official transcripts must be submitted). Enrollment in a college-level course using Informed Consent does NOT meet the minimum requirements.
• All students will be notified by the department chair in late April regarding admission.
• Allied Health Division Form-Medical Assisting

Accredited by CAAHEP

Medical Assistants Are In Demand!

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 18% from 2020 to 2030. This can be attributed to a predicted surge in the number of physician's offices and outpatient care facilities.

Medical assistants have a great amount of variety in their jobs and are cross-trained to perform many administrative and clinical duties. Of course, duties vary from office to office depending on location, size, and specialty.

Clinical Duties Include:

• Obtaining medical histories and vital signs
• Preparing patients for examination
• Assisting the physician during the exam
• Collecting and preparing laboratory specimens
• Performing basic laboratory tests (CLIA waived)
• Instructing patients about medication and special diets
• Explaining treatment procedures to patients
• Preparing and administering medications as directed by a physician
• Authorizing prescription refills as directed
• Perform venipuncture
• Perform electrocardiography
• Removing sutures and dressing changes

Administrative Duties Include:

• Use office hardware and software to maintain office systems
• Triage phone calls
• Greeting patients
• Updating and filing patient medical records
• Coding and filling out insurance forms
• Manage appointment schedules
• Arranging for hospital admissions and laboratory services
• Handling correspondence
• Billing, bookkeeping, and account collections

The earnings of medical assistants vary, depending on experience, skill level, and location. Median annual earnings of medical assistants were $37,190 in May 2021.

Occupational Description

Medical assistants are multi-skilled health professionals specifically educated to work in a variety of healthcare settings performing clinical and administrative duties. The practice of medical assisting necessitates mastery of a complex body of knowledge and specialized skills requiring both formal education and practical experience that serve as standards for entry into the profession.

Admissions are limited/capped

Seats in the program are limited to 25 for the A.A.S. Degree. Enclosed are the materials and information to apply for the 2022-2023 academic year.

Selection Requirements and Procedures

1. Complete the admission requirements and application procedures as stated in the Admission Process section above.
2. The selection of applicants for admission is limited/capped; 25 students will be accepted.
3. The Program Chairperson will notify candidates of their acceptance.
4. Additional qualified applicants will be placed on the alternate list based on the date of their completed application on the P.I. form from the SSA / advisor in the Bailey Building. The Program Chairperson will notify applicants of their position on the alternate list. Alternates are accepted as spaces/resources become available. Alternates are invited to attend the orientation session held prior to fall classes. If an accepted student does not attend the orientation program, an alternate will be placed in his/her seat. Alternates who are accepted must complete medical, immunization, and dental reports as instructed. No alternates will be accepted after the fall semester has begun. The alternate list does not carry over to the next year; therefore, alternates who are not accepted must reapply to the Medical Assisting Program for the following year. Students waiting to be accepted may take the following Medical Assisting courses (MED-110, 118, 121, 122).
5. Students accepted into the Medical Assisting Program will be required to meet the safety standard for healthcare workers exposed to bloodborne pathogens. Meeting this standard includes attending the program training session offered in MED 138 or MED 140 and completing the HBV immunizations or signing the mandatory declination form. Failure to be properly immunized could result in exclusion from the externship component of the curriculum and non-completion of the program.
6. Medical Assisting students must have the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective abilities needed to perform all activities as outlined in the 2022 Standards and Guidelines for Medical Assisting Educational Programs. These abilities include, but are not limited to:
   1. the visual acuity to identify cyanosis and absence of respiratory movement in a patient in an emergency situation
   2. the hearing ability to understand the spoken word while using medical equipment
   3. the speaking ability to be able to question the patient about his/her condition and to be able to relay information verbally to others
   4. the physical ability to perform procedures related to patient care
   5. the ability to interact with patients and others appropriately
7. As of January 1, 2002, applicants for the American Association of Medical Assisting Certification must have a criminal background check. The clinical site may require a criminal background check and/or drug testing prior to participation in the clinical component. If any clinical facility refuses to allow the students to participate in clinical experiences in that agency, the student may not be able to progress in the program.
8. Criminal background checks or drug screens will be performed at the student’s expense.
9. The College refund policy applies if a student drops the program after being denied clinical site privileges.

Readmission Following Voluntary or Involuntary Withdrawal

1. If you receive an unsuccessful grade in the Medical Assisting Program which is defined as a “D”, “F”, or “U”, you may not proceed to any subsequent course in the program. Most allied health courses are offered only once annually.
2. A new class of students is admitted to the program annually. It will be necessary for the student to reapply for readmission for the following fall.
3. Readmission of students who have progressed beyond the first semester, but who have been unsuccessful in a subsequent semester is dependent upon space availability in the class and demonstration of proficiency in a variety of clinical procedures. You will be required to meet with the department chairperson for specific readmission guidelines.

Transfer of Credits or Admission to Advanced Standing

1. General admission requirements of the College and the Medical Assisting Program shall apply to the applicant.
2. Transfer credit will be given for courses with a grade of “C” or better from member institutions of the North Carolina Community College System, other regionally accredited institutions of higher education, and schools with CAAHEP accreditation. When any Medical Assisting course is in question, the Program Chairperson and the Dean of Allied Health and Public Service will be consulted before transfer credit is officially awarded.
3. Students who can provide tangible evidence of preparation to challenge a course, such as a transcript of similar College level credits, a record of military study, certification or license, standardized test scores, or written statements from employers regarding training or directly related work experience indicating that they may be proficient in a subject, may request credit by examination. Please see the College catalog for more information.
4. Credit through College Level Examination for Placement (CLEP) scores will be assigned on an individual basis by the Director of Admissions.
5. A student transferring from another college must complete at least 50 percent of the total credit hours required in the Medical Assisting Program at A-B Tech in order to be eligible for graduation.
6. When a student transfers from another curriculum at A-B Tech into the Medical Assisting Program, all admission requirements, academic/course requirements, and grading policies of the Medical Assisting Program must be met in order to be eligible for graduation.

2022-2023 Medical Assisting Program Check Sheet

This sheet is designed to assist you in applying to the Medical Assisting Program. Check off the items for admission into the Medical Assisting Program as you complete them.

• Complete the application for admission to A-B Tech.
• Apply for the Medical Assisting Program.
• Submit official transcripts from all college(s) previously attended.
• Take the Accuplacer Test or have credit for college English and Math.

• Medical Assisting Admissions

• Step 1: Meet with an advisor located in the Bailey Building.
• Step 2: Complete the A-B Tech application and be accepted into the College.
• Step 3: Take the Accuplacer examination and place into ENG-111 and MAT-110.
• Step 4: Request transcripts from previous college work to be transferred to A-B Tech.

No. The Medical Assisting program accepts the first 25 students who apply each fall.

Students may apply for financial aid. Aid is determined based on your current financial situation. Please see the financial aid department for more information.

Duties vary from office to office depending on location, size, and specialty.
Administrative duties may include...

• Using computer applications
• Answering telephones
• Greeting patients
• Updating and filing patient medical records
• Coding and filling out insurance forms
• Scheduling appointments
• Arranging for hospital admissions and laboratory services
• Handling correspondence, billing, and bookkeeping

Clinical duties vary by state but may include...

• Taking medical histories
• Explaining treatment procedures to patients
• Preparing patients for examination
• Assisting the physician during the exam
• Collecting and preparing laboratory specimens
• Performing basic laboratory tests
• Instructing patients about medication and special diets
• Preparing and administering medications as directed by a physician
• Authorizing prescription refills as directed
• Drawing blood, giving injections
• Taking electrocardiograms
• Removing sutures and changing a dressing

The Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Medical Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB).

The Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) awards the credential to medical assistants who have accomplished two objectives:

• First, they have successfully completed a medical assisting educational program accredited by either the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
• Second, they have passed the CMA (AAMA) Certification Examination.

Students may sit for the exam up to 30-days prior to graduation.

No. Medical Assistants who are certified must re-certify the credential every five years, either by earning credits known as continuing education units or by taking the CMA (AAMA) Certification/Recertification Examination.

Yes. This credential is a national certification recognized by employers across the country.

For a complete list of courses and a semester by semester break down, visit Medical Assisting A.A.S.

The Medical Assisting program has a total of 74 credit hours that must be completed in order to graduate with an Associate Degree.

You may take the following courses prior to being accepted:

• MED-110 Orientation to Medical Assisting
• MED-121 Medical Terminology I
• MED-138 Infection/Hazard Control
• MED-118 Medical Law and Ethics
• MED-122 Medical Terminology II

Once you are accepted and begin the program, all MED courses (except those which can be taken prior to acceptance) must be taken in sequence.

Yes. We encourage you to take ENG-111, MAT-110, CIS-110, SPA-120, COM-120 or COM-140, one Humanities elective, and one Social or Behavioral Science Elective in advance.

No. Students spend up to 240-hours in a Practicum site without pay.

• Functional Abilities for Medical Assisting

Job Placement

The 5-year cumulative for the years 2018-2022 as reported on the ARF 2023 report, 95% of the Medical Assisting graduates were working in the field.

Candace Crump, CMA (AAMA)

Department Chair/Practicum Coordinator, Medical Assisting

• Phone: (828) 398-7837
• Email: candacescrump@abtech.edu