Accreditation and Certification
The North Seattle Community College Medical Assisting program is  accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), 1361 Park Street, Clearwater, FL 33756,    727-210-2350, on the recommendation of the Curriculum Review Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants Endowment (AAMAE).

Graduates of this program are eligible to sit for the national CMA certification exam, and are also eligible for the Washington State Health Care Assistant (HCA) certificate at levels A, C, and E. 

Graduates of NSCC's Medical Assisting Program have been scoring, on average, in the 97^th+ percentile for the National CMA exam for the past two years. Our passing rate, for the last several years, has been 99-100%.

NSCC's self-paced "Modular" Program
The modular program allows students to enter or graduate in any quarter. All modular classes are self-paced; students may take any number of course modules as desired (plan with advisor) and take longer than the usual one-year to complete the program if needed. 

Students study theory portions through reading a text and completing assignments as listed in a course checklist. Students are encouraged to study at the college where MA instructors will be in the classrooms during scheduled hours to assist and answer questions but students will have the option of studying theory elsewhere. Students must practice the 'hands-on' procedures in the classroom with an instructor; quizzes/exams and competency check offs must be performed at school during designated times. Instructors, classrooms and equipment will be available according to a scheduled time frame of hours/days including evening times. 

Students are encouraged to establish a regular schedule each quarter to foster successful completion and to complete as much of the work as possible at the college where assistance and guidance is available. Instructors highly encourage students to attend as much as possible to utilize resources and individualized instruction.

What can a Medical Assistant do?

Certified Medical Assistants (CMAs) have a great amount of variety in their jobs and are cross-trained to perform many administrative and clinical duties. Duties vary from office to office depending on location, size and specialty.

Administrative duties may include...

Clinical duties vary by state and include...

Medical assisting is one of the nation's fastest growing careers through 2012, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Click on the links below to see the program scope and sequence forms for the MA Program and our various shorter certificates. These forms tell you how to get started, what prerequisites you will need and what courses/modules make up each certificate program; or you can go to our college website: http://www.northseattle.edu/health/medasst/ 

Medical Assisting Certificate of Achievement         (Occupational Outlook U.S. Dept. of Labor)

Clinical Lab Assisting Certificate of Achievement

Basic Medical Reception Certificate of Achievement       (Occupational Outlook U.S. Dept. of Labor)

Medical Office Administration Certificate of Achievement

Medical Transcription Certificate of Achievement      (Occupational Outlook U.S. Dept. of Labor)

*****Add an Internship component to any of the above certificates (except Medical Assisting which already has an Externship course) by adding CWE 110 to your program!!! Great opportunity to get your feet wet in the field and it can be paid!!! 

For those already working in the medical field:

Health Care Assistant Preparation Certificate of Achievement

Medical Fundamentals for Clinical Research Professionals Certificate of Achievement

Medical Interpreter Information for Washington State:   http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/msa/ltc/

*Interested in becoming a Certified Phlebotomy Technician? Want to sit for the National Exam? You are able to qualify after graduating from our Accredited Medical Assisting Program AND meeting the following eligibility requirements:

American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) – Phlebotomy Technician (PBT) Certification Exam Eligibility Requirements:

Route 4: High school graduation (or equivalent) AND successful completion of RN, LPN or other acceptable accredited allied health professional/occupational education which includes phlebotomy training and orientation in a CLIA** regulated, accredited laboratory with a minimum performance of 100 successful, unaided blood collections including venipunctures and skin punctures. Applicants must submit a notarized copy of their current state/provincial license for RN or LPN or a notarized copy of a certificate of completion from the accredited allied health program they completed along with the application form.

How this affects your Medical Assisting Program Requirements:

*You can either complete your regular medical assisting externship at a site (if available) that will allow you to perform the required 100 unaided blood collections (this is a required 7 credit course where you work 198 hours unpaid, as a medical assistant after completing all other program coursework), OR

*You can add CWE 110, (a cooperative work experience 3 credit internship course), to your program curriculum, completing additional internship hours in a lab enabling you to perform the unaided blood collection requirements (this is allowed to be a paid position if the opportunity arises).

Procedures for Examination and Certification: http://www.ascp.org/Certification/pdf/booklet.pdf

Instructions and Application for ASCP Board of Registry Certification for Phlebotomy Technician (PBT): http://www.ascp.org/Certification/CertifyingExaminations/cert_procedures/application/mail/applicationpbt.pdf

**Graduates you may qualify with work experience. If you think you do, contact Patti Larson plarson@sccd.ctc.edu for more information. 

A great supplement to your career:

It is critical in the transition to the digital healthcare field of the future that a work force capable of using health communications and information technology is in place. The IT for Healthcare curriculum is designed to meet this emerging demand and aims to equip students and workers with the skills needed to enter and advance in healthcare careers.

The program utilizes a modern laboratory emulating a healthcare setting. The laboratory is equipped with current tablet PCs, Procura software, and other technologies which provide students the opportunity to gain real-world skills and experience required by healthcare employers.

This program incorporates MA Program modules; it is a highly recommended supplement to any allied health career. To get more information, go to the following link:  http://www.northseattle.edu/health/it/

HOW TO GET STARTED:

                       MEDICAL ASSISTING AND ALL OTHER SHORT PROGRAMS

Certificates of Achievement

A minimum of 69 credits with a 2.0 cumulative GPA is required to earn any certificate.  An Associate of Applied Science in Allied Health-Medical Assisting is available with additional coursework.

PREREQUISITES:

1.        A high school diploma or GED or 18 years of age.  Certain tech-prep agreements can be accepted (see MA program advisor).

2.       Apply to the college for admission, and get student ID#.

3.       Arrange financial aid as needed.

4.       Complete the following prerequisite courses*: 

·         AHE 103 (Math for Health Careers, formerly Math 100)

·         ENG 101 (Composition) or EGR 231 (Technical Writing) or AHE 100 Critical Thinking and Communications in Healthcare

·         BUS 169 (Using Computers in Business I) or IT 101 (Software Applications) or proof of employment and a job description that includes computer skills can be accepted on a case by case basis (see advisor).

*Prerequisites must be completed within 10 years of date of application.  The COMPASS placement test for math and/or English must be taken if those prerequisites are older than 10 years. Go to the web at http://www.northseattle.edu/enroll/testing or call (206) 527-3674 for drop-in testing hours and testing procedures.  Bring your test scores to the division for advising.  Note: any COMPASS testing must be completed within two years of application date.

5.       Take the necessary courses (as indicated by your test scores) to improve your skills if you are not at the English and/or Math levels required.  Then enter the Medical Assisting Program after successful completion of your prerequisite courses.

6.       Call the Health and Human Services Division to arrange for advising after receiving your assessment scores (or bring a copy of any relevant transcripts).  Group orientation/advising sessions are offered every quarter.  New students must be advised in the Division so that a student file can be initiated, an advising form can be completed, and complete your own Washington State Patrol background check (see division for directions).

7.       Fill out the Medical Assisting program application form, take it to the cashier, and pay the $35.00 non-refundable application fee.  Return the application form, stamped paid, to the division.

8.       Register for the courses/modules of your choice in the Health and Human Services Division and pay tuition at the cashier.  On-line or phone registration is not available for these courses.

*AMA 170 - 181 Anatomy & Physiology/Medical Terminology/Pathology Modules 1-12 are now offered in a fully online format. Come to the division for advising to enroll in these modules. 

Instructional methods for these fully online modules include reading the textbook and completing exercises, online research, voice over PowerPoint presentations and a discussion room. The courses consist of assignments to be completed and submitted via email to the instructor, online discussion and timed online tests. Each module should take an average of 18 hours to complete, with the exception of 170 which should take about 30. The voice over PowerPoint presentations for each module will add an element of lecture that is not present for the standard in class modules. Students are still able to come to the classroom during open hours to work with an instructor one-on-one if they so choose.