Medical Assistant

Kathrine Christian, Director of Health Education Programs
509.793.2130

Mercedes Gonzalez-Aller, Division Chair
509.793.2136

medicalassistant@bigbend.edu

The Medical Assistant Program at BBCC prepares students to successfully work side by side with a doctor and other health care professionals in a clinic or hospital setting. Students will maintain the highest quality of patient care, learn to room patients for examination, draw blood for basic lab studies, administer some medications, do ECG’s, assist with minor surgical procedures, and perform front office skills related to medical records and billing. Medical Assistants will be prepared for diverse front and back office medical positions by learned theory, lab and clinical skills combined with an extern experience in a physician’s office.

Successful completion of the Medical Assistant Program prepares the student to take the National Certification Examination offered through American Medical Technologists. Successful completion of the examination and subsequent licensure allows the student to enter the workforce as a Medical Assistant – Certified

The program Certificate of Achievement in Medical Assisting. Prerequisite and corequisite courses must be completed with a minimum of 2.0 in each course.

Physical and Psychosocial Requirements for the Medical Assistant Program:

Students planning on entering the Medical Assistant Program need to be aware of the fact that the physical requirements listed below are expected by employers. Therefore, students will be expected to meet the same criteria during clinical/lab instruction in the Medical Assistant program.

• Demonstrate good body mechanics, lift/carry a minimum of 25 lbs. independently and 50 lbs. with assistance.
• Have normal/corrected vision and hearing within normal range.
• Demonstrate ability to tolerate intermittent sitting, standing, stooping and walking. Full range of motion is required.
• Demonstrate good manual and finger dexterity.
• Demonstrate competency in computer documentation
• Demonstrate communication skills: Must be able to read and write in English. Must be able to communicate verbally in English both in person and on the phone.
• Demonstrate ability to stand on carpeting, linoleum, or be seated at a standard desk using an office chair for a varying amount of time.
• Demonstrate ability to work in high-paced facilities that include dealing with stress.
• Demonstrate emotional stability and maturity in various circumstances through interpersonal relationships with staff, patients, and visitors.
• Demonstrate ability to deliver care across the age spectrum with cultural and ethnic sensitivity.
• Demonstrate a consistent ability to deliver safe and competent patient care.

Clinical Series (MA 115, 116, 195)

In order to be considered for placement in the clinical series starting in the Winter, students must submit a “Letter of Intent” by the specified due date. The letter of intent can be found on BBCC’s Medical Assistant webpage. 

Requirements for the Medical Assistant Program

• Letter of intent must be submitted by due date if student wishes to be considered for the winter clinical cohort (MA 115, MA 116)
• Provide evidence of a satisfactory physical examination before the beginning of MA 115
• Provide evidence of a current Healthcare Provider CPR card prior to MA 115 (BBCC’s Medical Assistant Program requires CPR cards to be updated annually)
• Provide evidence of up-to-date immunizations and have initiated the Hepatitis B series prior to MA 115
• Students should have no more than one remaining general education requirement prior to enrollment in 195 and must intend to take it concurrently to complete certification.  
• Have a satisfactory criminal background check prior to MA 195
• Provide evidence of negative drug testing prior to the start of MA 195