Medical Assisting Certificates of Achievement
Merritt College Medical Assisting Department offers two certificates of achievement and one certificate of completion (Bridge to Medical Assistant- 100% asynchronous) programs for those interested in early entryway into the allied health career path. We also offer certificates of achievement of health navigation. Each of these programs are less than a year to complete. Beginning in Fall 2023 there will be some synchronous times expected of students to attend zoom meetings or face-to-face skills labs. See also programs in new catalog for 2022-2023 academic year and thereafter.
Synchronous times will vary with the courses, but most courses are fully online.
Our Certificates are:
- Clinical Medical Assisting
- Administrative Medical Assisting
- Clinical & Administrative Medical Assisting – 100% Online A synchronous
- Health Navigator (also known as Patient Navigator)
The most popular certificate is the clinical medical assisting. However, we recommend a course or two of the administrative medical assisting to supplement your clinical certificate. You do not need to complete both certificates. It is strongly recommended you take one or more of the MEDAS administrative classes also so you can be more marketable by adding front office skills to your experience. If you enjoy both front and back-office MA duties, then both certificates are recommended. The administrative courses are usually offered in the Spring and listed as MEDAS 103A, B, &C. That series will supplement the clinical certificate-to improve hiring opportunities.
You do not need a special application for medical assisting programs, but we strongly recommend:
- Eligibility for English 1A or for English Learners to be at ESOL 4 Level.
Medical Assisting and Health Occupations Programs
Now Offering
Three Certificates of Achievement
&
Certificate of Completion
100% Online – Asynchronous.
Administrative & Clinical Medical Assisting
(Bridge to Medical Assistant)
Program Description
The clinical medical assisting certificate of achievement is a career education program that delivers quality instruction within a comprehensive curriculum that provides students with enhanced employment opportunities and/ or upward career mobility in the areas of healthcare, public health, and “back office” medical assisting duties. The program prepares students with the knowledge, skills, and attributes necessary for obtaining work in the health care field as a medical assistant. Graduates of this program are prepared to work with physicians and other team members and facilitate office visits for patients to be seen by the health care provider. Under the direction of the medical doctor, graduates assist with many procedures and often assist in health education to support clients’ health and disease management. This program can be completed within one year, culminating in a Certificate of Achievement upon satisfactory completion of all requirements.
Program Goals and Objectives
The clinical medical assisting certificate of achievement program is a career education program. Its goal is to provide quality instruction within a comprehensive curriculum that provides the student enhanced employment opportunities and/or upward career mobility in the areas of healthcare, public health, and “back office” duties. This program can be completed within one year, culminating in a Certificate of Achievement upon satisfactory completion of all major requirements.
Career Opportunities
Career opportunities may include Medical Assistant (MA), Certified Medical Assistant (C-MA), Administrative Medical Assistant (AMA), Certified Administrative Medical Assistant (C-AMA), Medical Office Assistant, Chiropractic Assistant, Client Services Coordinator, Medical Support Assistant, and Patient Services Specialist, and Patient Navigator or Health Navigator.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Clearly communicate via writing, speaking, listening, and reading.
- Acquire reasoning skills-to evaluate and interpret information during patient encounter. Students will be able to solve problems relevant to the medical assistant job duties as outlined by community employers.
- Demonstrate professional behaviors- timeliness and interpersonal skills, teamwork and embracing cultural diversity whilst performing clinical skills.
- Enhance technical skills- emphasis on mastery of assistive clinical medical skills and charting. Program offers hands on skills lab supplemented by demonstrating mastery of clinical skills with use of vetted software for medical office simulation.
Clinical Medical Assisting Certificate of Achievement
Program Requirements: 20 Units
| Subject # | Title | Units | Sequence |
| Major Core Courses | |||
| HLTOC201 | Medical Terminology I | 2 | Year 1, Fall |
| MEDAS 101A | Introduction to Medical Assisting | 2 | Year 1, Fall |
| MEDAS 101B | Disorders of the Body Systems in Primary Care | 3 | Year 1, Fall |
| MEDAS 102A | Clinical Medical Assisting I | 3 | Year 1, Fall |
| Semester Units |
10 |
||
| HLTOC110
MEDAS 102B
|
CPR and First Aid for Allied Health Programs
Clinical Medical Assisting II
|
1
3
|
Year 1, Spring Year 1, Spring
|
| Semester Units |
4 |
||
| MEDAS 102C | Clinical Medical Assisting III | 3 | Year 1, Summer |
| MEDAS 470F | Occupational Work Experience in Medical Assisting | 3 (2-3) | Year 1, Summer |
| Summer Semester Units | 6 | ||
| Major Requirements | 20 | ||
Administrative Medical Assisting Certificate of Achievement
Program Description
The administrative medical assisting certificate of achievement program prepares students to perform “front office” duties via the Electronic Health Records (EHR) Systems. Students will demonstrate proficiency in the following skills and more: medical records documentation, patient intake, electronic medical records management, patient reception, scheduling appointments, medical insurance, and introduction to billing and coding and collections. This program can be completed within one year, culminating in a certificate of achievement upon satisfactory completion of all major requirements.
Program Goals and Objectives
The administrative medical assisting certificate of achievement program is a career education program. Its goal is to provide quality instruction within a comprehensive curriculum that provides the student enhanced employment opportunities and/or upward career mobility in the areas of healthcare, public health, and “front office” duties. This program can be completed within one year, culminating in a certificate of achievement upon satisfactory completion of all major requirements.
Career Opportunities
Career opportunities may include Medical Assistant (MA), Certified Medical Assistant (C-MA), Administrative Medical Assistant (AMA), Certified Administrative Medical Assistant (C-AMA), Medical Office Assistant, Chiropractic Assistant, Client Services Coordinator, Medical Support Assistant, and Patient Services Specialist, and Patient Navigator.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Clearly communicate via writing, speaking, listening, and reading.
- Acquire reasoning skills-to evaluate and interpret information. Students will be able to solve problems relevant to the medical assistant Job duties as outlined by community employers.
- Demonstrate professional behaviors- timeliness and interpersonal skills, teamwork and embracing cultural diversity.
- Enhance technical skills- emphasis on mastery of electronic health record (EHR) charting with use of vetted software for medical office simulation.
Program Learning Objectives
- Provide effective instruction and student learning that results in the successful attainment of educational goals through the completion of a certificate of
- Offer a valuable and relevant curriculum that imparts to the student the knowledge, skills, and attributes required for successful entry-level employment as an Administrative Medical Assistant.
- Maintain a process of assessment and improvement to enhance the teaching/learning process and increase opportunities for student success.
Program Requirements: 17 Units
| Subject # | Title | Units | Sequence |
| Major Core Courses | |||
| HLTOC 201
MEDAS 101A |
Medical Terminology I
Introduction to Medical Assisting |
2
2 |
Year 1, Fall
Year 1, Fall |
| MEDAS 101 B | Disorders of the Body Systems in Primary Care | 3 | Year 1, Fall |
| MEDAS 103A | Administrative Medical Assisting I | 2 | Year 1, Fall |
| Subtotal Semester Units | 9 | ||
| HLTOC 110 | CPR and First Aid for Allied Health Programs | 1 | Year 1, Spring |
| HTLOC 263 | Communication Skills for Healthcare Professionals | 3 | Year 1, Spring |
| MEDAS 103B | Administrative Medical Assisting II | 2 | Year 1, Spring |
| Subtotal Semester Units | 6 | ||
| MEDAS 103C | Administrative Medical Assisting III | 2 | Year 1, Summer |
| Subtotal Semester Units | 2 | ||
| Recommended Course | |||
| MEDAS 470F | Occupational Work Experience in Medical Assisting | 1 (1-4) | Year 1, Summer |
| Major Requirements | 17 | ||
Certificate of Completion
100% Online – Asynchronous.
Administrative & Clinical Medical Assisting
(Bridge to Medical Assistant)
Item 1. Program Goals and Objectives
The goal of the Bridge to Medical Assistant Careers Certificate of Completion is short-term vocational quality instruction within a comprehensive curriculum that provides students with enhanced employment opportunities and/or upward career mobility in medical assisting. It is designed for students who plan to pursue a career as a medical assistant. The certificate enables students to gain exposure to various career options as a medical assistant and develop skills necessary to enter employment in the field. Many students will wish to continue their education through Merritt College’s Medical Assisting, Nursing, Radiology Technician, Health Navigation, and Histotechnology credit certificate and degree programs.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Clearly communicate through writing, speaking, listening, and reading in the Medical Assistant
- Demonstrate both administrative and clinical skills for entry-level placement in medical assistant career.
- Determine a successful pathway to reach career goals as a medical
Career Opportunities
Entry-level medical assistant career includes work in doctor’s offices, clinics, and other medical facilities to perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician.
Program Learning Objectives
- To provide effective instruction and student learning that result in the successful attainment of educational goals through the completion of a certificate of
- To offer a valuable and relevant curriculum that imparts to the student the knowledge, skills, and attributes required for successful entry-level employment as a Medical Assistant.
- To maintain a process of assessment and improvement to enhance the teaching/learning process and increase opportunities for student.
The main competencies that students will acquire after completion of the program are:
Administrative Duties
Medical assistants are responsible for performing a range of administrative tasks, including:
- Managing office telephone systems, including answering calls and returning messages
- Scheduling patient appointments and maintaining communication to confirm future appointments.
- Documenting patients’ medical information, including medical history and health insurance information.
- Performing data entry tasks to document patient records within facility databases and maintaining patient files.
- Coordinating daily office activities, greeting patients and checking patients in and out for their appointments
- Demonstrate technical skills appropriate to the medical assistant program with introduction to electronic health record charting and weekly online instruction.
Clinical Duties
Medical assistants may be responsible for performing a variety of clinical tasks, depending on the size and needs of their workplace. Some common clinical tasks these professionals do can include:
- Recording patients’ vital signs, documenting physicians’ notes and changes in medical conditions
- Taking tissue and fluid samples and sending them in for laboratory analysis
- Prepping exam rooms for clinical procedures and assisting practitioners with patient care
- Assisting physicians during routine checkups, outpatient procedures and other physical exams
- Monitoring and documenting patient symptoms for physicians’ review during clinical exams
- Providing compassionate patient support and care, attention and assistance during office visits
- Preparing and administering medications under the direction of supervising physicians
Item 2. Catalog Description
The Bridge to Medical Assistant Careers Certificate of Completion is a noncredit certificate that enables students to gain exposure to various career options within medical assisting and develop the skills necessary to enter employment in the field in an entry-level position. The program prepares graduates to work directly with patients and assist in their care and well-being. It is also designed for students who plan to pursue a career as a medical assistant. Students can continue their education through Merritt College’s Allied Health Credit certificated programs such as Medical Assisting, Health Navigation, Nursing, Radiology Technician, and the Histotechnology programs. The English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) recommended course prepares non-native speaking students for employment and job advancement. It also prepares students for the academic rigor of credit courses by integrating English language instruction with organizational tools for student success.
Upon successful completion of this certificate, students can take the National Health Career Association (NHA) Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) national examination.
Program Requirements:
| Major Core Courses | ||
| MEDAS 503 | The Language of Medicine | 52.5 |
| MEDAS 504 | Introduction to Medical Assisting | 52.5 |
| MEDAS 505 | Introduction to Pharmacology | 52.5 |
| MEDAS 506 | Administrative Skill | 52.5 |
| MEDAS 507 | Clinical Skill | 52.5 |
| MEDAS 508 | Heartsaver First Aid -CPR & AED | 17.5 |
| Recommended Course | ||
| ESOL 590 | English for Special Purposes | (17.5 – 35) |
| Total Hours | 280 | |
Recommended Course Sequence:
| MEDAS 503 | The Language of Medicine |
| MEDAS 504 | Introduction to Medical Assisting |
| MEDAS 505 | Introduction to Pharmacology |
| ESOL 590 | English for Special Purposes |
| 1st Semester | |
| MEDAS 506 | Administrative Skill |
| MEDAS 507 | Clinical Skill |
| MEDAS 508 | Heartsaver First Aid -CPR & AED |
| ESOL 590 | English for Special Purposes |
| 2nd Semester | |
Health Navigator
Certificate of Achievement
Program Description:
The health navigator certificate of achievement program prepares students with the knowledge, skills, and attributes necessary for obtaining work in the fields of healthcare, public health, and human/social services. Working with case managers and other team members, health navigators provide guidance, health assessments, health education, health outreach, and community resource referrals to support a client’s disease management, lifestyle management, and care coordination. They act as a bridge between the patient, the family, the community, the health care team, and the healthcare system. This program can be completed within one year, culminating in a certificate of achievement upon satisfactory completion of all requirements.
Program Goals and Objectives
The health navigator certificate of achievement program is a career education program. Its goal is to provide quality instruction within a comprehensive curriculum that provides the student enhanced employment opportunities and/or upward career mobility in the areas of healthcare, public health, and human/social services.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate job readiness by conducting a client-centered interview and applying health navigator core competencies, emotional intelligence, and effective communication skills to clients with diverse backgrounds and barriers to care.
- Demonstrate job readiness by conducting a client-centered interview using metrics/data for validating value-added services and providing community resources and social service referrals to support formerly incarcerated clients, survivors of trauma, and/or clients with chronic conditions. Program Learning Objectives
- To provide effective instruction and student learning that result in the successful attainment of educational goals through the completion of a certificate of achievement.
- To offer a valuable and relevant curriculum that imparts to the student the knowledge, skills, and attributes required for successful entry-level employment as a Health Navigator.
- To maintain a process of assessment and improvement to enhance the teaching/learning process and increase opportunities for student success.
Program Requirements
Health Navigator
Certificate of Achievement
| Required Course Dept.
Name/# |
Course Name |
Units |
Prerequisite |
Sequence |
| HTLOC 150
HTLOC 101
HTLOC 263
HTLOC 261 |
Introduction to Health Care Careers
Medical Terminology 1
Communication Skills for the Healthcare Professional
Health Navigator 1 |
2
3
3
2 |
None
None
None
None |
Year 1, Fall |
| Subtotal Semester Units | 10 | |||
| HTLOC 260 | Emotional Intelligence | 2 | None | Year 1, Spring |
| HTLOC 262 | Health Navigator 2 | 3 | HTLOC 261 | Year 1, Spring |
| HTLOC 264 | Chronic Condition Management | 2 | HTLOC 201 | Year 1, Spring |
| Subtotal Semester Units | 7 | |||
| Total Program Units | 17 | |||
