Academic Programs

Medical Assistant, A.A.S.

Overview

Medical assistants help physicians examine and treat patients, as well as perform routine tasks needed to keep an office running efficiently. In small practices, medical assistants handle both clerical and clinical duties and report directly to the office manager or physician. Those employed in large practices tend to specialize in a particular area under the supervision of department administrators. Clerical duties may include patient scheduling, receptionist duties, medical record management, office correspondence, medical insurance procedures, and management of office accounts, fees, and collections. Clinical duties may include interviewing patients, patient education, taking vital signs, preparing patients for examination and assisting the physician during exams, performing routine laboratory testing and electrocardiography, sterilizing instruments, and administering medications.

Locations

Luverne

Students enrolling in the medical assistant program must possess a high school diploma or GED. Prior to participating in the clinical practicum, students must submit health information and evidence of valid CPR/First Aid certification. Successful completion of all required program courses and general education courses with a grade of C or better is necessary to graduate.

Students in the medical assistant program will undergo a background study as required by Minnesota law.

Graduates of the Minnesota West medical assistant program are eligible to earn certification by taking the American Association of Medical Assistant's Certification Exam.

Course Number Course Title Credits
  General Education Requirements:  
BIOL 1110 Principles of Biology OR 4
BIOL 1115 Human Biology 3
PSYC 1150 Lifespan Developmental Psychology 3
SOC 1101 Introduction to Sociology 3
  Humanities Elective (Recommend PHIL 2101)
3
  General Education Electives 3-4
  Total Electives
16
     
  Fall  
ADSM 1120 Medical Office Procedures 4
BIOL 2245 Medical Terminology or 2
HC 1180 Medical Terminology in Healthcare 2
ENGL 1101 Composition I 3
HC 1151 Body Structure and Function 3
HC 1290 Healthcare & Society 1
MDLT 1100 Introduction to Laboratory Sciences 3
MEDA 1105 Clinical Procedures I 3
STSK 0091 Basic Math (If needed) (1)
  Fall Credits 19
     
  Spring  
EMS 1112 AHA CPR Healtcare Provider, AED First Aid Certification 1
HC 1100 Nutrition 1
HC 2120 Disease Conditions 3
HIMC 1150 Introduction to Medical Coding, Billing & Insurance 3
MEDA 1135 Laboratory Skills 3
MEDA 2110 Clinical Procedures II 4
MEDA 2135 Pharmacology 3
  Spring Credits 18
     
  Summer  
     
MEDA 2139 Professional Integration 1
MEDA 2140 Medical Assistant Practicum 6
  TOTAL CREDITS 60