Associate of Science in Medical Assisting Admissions & Program Requirements
Admissions Requirements
All students must minimally meet the requirements for general admission to South College. General admission to South College does not guarantee admission to the Medical Assisting Program. Program admission is granted when a student has met all requirements and is successfully enrolled in his/her first clinical course, the first course in the MA curriculum in which a student is assessed on psychomotor (skill) and affective (behavior) competencies.
A maximum of three attempts will be allowed for completing courses in the Allied Health Sciences (AHS) portion of the program.
Program Requirements
All students admitted in the Medical Assisting program at South College must recognize that various occupational hazards exist in the medical laboratory and the clinical setting. All Medical Assisting students are responsible for understanding the health requirements and the general safety procedures and precautions. Throughout the training, strict adherence to OSHA guidelines and standard precautions is mandated and observed. In compliance with these guidelines and precautions, all Medical Assisting students are required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment as indicated.
Students will be required, during the course of the program, to demonstrate their physical and/or emotional fitness to meet the essential requirements of the program. These requirements include maintaining a state of good health, achieving a comprehensive knowledge base (cognitive ability), achieving procedural proficiency (psychomotor skills), and demonstrating suitable behavioral and emotional fitness (affective domain). Any appraisal measures used to determine such physical and/or emotional fitness will be in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the American with Disabilities Act of 1990. A student should notify the Department Chairperson if he or she has a communicable disease. This disclosure will be handled in strict confidence and used to assure safe lab conditions. Hepatitis B vaccination and/or immunization verification is recommended.
Students applying to the Medical Assisting program must accept the following:
- Eligibility for the Certification Examination may be denied by the AAMA Certifying Board if the applicant for the CMA credential has been found guilty of a felony or pleaded guilty to a felony.
- Failure to produce proof of the following may severely limit practicum placement (possibly increasing the overall length of the program) and future employment options:
- Negative TB test
- Hepatitis B vaccination
- Health release to participate in clinical practicum/physician’s certification that student is in good health
- Other immunizations, such as MMR
- CPR and first aid training
All Medical Assisting students are required to complete a 200-hour unpaid, supervised practicum at a local medical practice weekdays during the last quarter of their program. Students are required to meet all health guidelines and dress code policies of the affiliating agencies. Drug screening may be required by the practicum locations. Failure to pass the screening will result in the student being denied placement at the associated location. Denial may result in dismissal from the program.
Prior to the beginning of AHS 2982 Medical Assisting Practicum, students are required to undergo a physical exam/health verification and to be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid. Students are responsible for costs incurred from injury or illness while in the Medical Assisting program. Fees charged to cover physical exams, immunizations, drug screens, background checks and/or CPR/First Aid Certification are the responsibility of the student.