Degrees & Certificates
The Medical Assisting department offers two certificates. The Clinical Medical Assisting certificate focuses on “back office” medical assisting duties. This certificate is considered the first step of the two certificates. The Administrative Medical Assisting certificate focuses on “front office” medical assisting duties. This certificate is the second step.
Note: The following program admission requirements and selection procedures are currently undergoing revision. Please see our website at www.merritt.edu/catalog or contact the Medical Assisting program for the most current information.
Program Admission Requirements:
1) Completed admission application.
2) After acceptance into the program, submit a com-pleted health form evidencing physical health, including required immunizations and chest x-ray.
3) Criminal background check.
4) Current CPR/BLS (Basic Life Support) card, which must be maintained while in the program.
Refer to the Medical Assistant Program Syllabus and Program Student Handbook for more information. These are provided at orientation or are available by contacting the Medical Assisting program.
CLINICAL MEDICAL ASSISTING
CERTIFICATE OF PROFICIENCY
The Clinical Medical Assisting certificate program prepares students to perform “back office” duties, including but not limited to, patient intake, vital signs and height/weight measurements, and medical records documentation. A Certificate of Proficiency will be awarded upon satisfactory completion of the requirements specified below. The Certificate of Proficiency is not indicated on the student’s transcript.
Note: Students should see a counselor at least once each semester to plan for their educational goal(s).
Program Learning Outcomes:
Students who complete the certificate will be able to:
- Clearly communicate through writing, speaking, listening, and reading in the performance of Medical Assistant job duties.
- Acquire, evaluate and interpret information and be able to solve problems relevant to the performance of Medical Assistant job duties as outlined by community employers.
- Demonstrate appropriate professional behavior such as timeliness and interpersonal skills such as teamwork and cultural diversity.
- Demonstrate technical skills appropriate to Medical Assistant job duties, such as electronic medical records documentation, patient intake, and taking vital signs and height/weight measurements.
- Achieve the goals of employment, work advancement, and skill attainment as a competent Medical Assistant.
Certificate of Proficiency Requirements:
| Dept/No. | Title | Units |
| MEDAS 201A | Introduction to Medical Assisting | 5 |
| MEDAS 201B | Medical Assisting: Clinical Application | 7 |
| COPED 470F | Occupational Work Experience in Medical Assisting | 2 |
| COUN 207C | Career Exploration | 1 |
| Total Required Units: | 15 | |
ADMINISTRATIVE MEDICAL ASSISTING
CERTIFICATE OF PROFICIENCY
The Administrative Medical Assisting certificate program prepares students to perform “front office” duties including medical records documentation, patient intake, electronic medical records management, patient reception, scheduling appointments, medical insurance, billing and coding, and collections. A Certificate of Proficiency will be awarded upon satisfactory completion of the requirements specified below. The Certificate of Proficiency is not indicated on the student’s transcript.
Note: Students should see a counselor at least once each semester to plan for their educational goal(s).
Program Learning Outcomes:
Students who complete the certificate will be able to:
- Demonstrate technical skills appropriate to Medical Assistant job duties, such as such as electronic medical records documentation and management, patient intake, scheduling patient appointments, and all aspects of medical insurance, billing and coding, and collections.
- Clearly communicate through writing, speaking, listening, and reading in the performance of Medical Assistant job duties.
- Demonstrate appropriate professional behavior such as timeliness and interpersonal skills such as teamwork and cultural diversity.
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Certificate of Proficiency Requirements:
| Dept/No. | Title | Units |
| MEDAS 201D | Medical Assisting: Office Administration | 4 |
| BUS 5 | Human Relations in Business | 3 |
| COMM 20 | Interpersonal Communication Skills | 3 |
| CIS 1 | Introduction to Computer Information Systems | 4 |
| HLTOC 201 | Medical Terminology I | 2 |
| Total Required Units for Certificate: | 16 |
