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HEALTH PROFESSIONS

Certificate in Medical Assistant

Overview

Medical assistants are multi-skilled, with training in clerical/administrative procedures (front office) as well as clinical procedures (back office). They can work in large clinics as well as small medical offices. The duties of clinical medical assistants vary according to state laws. Common skills include taking medical histories and recording vital signs, explaining treatment procedures to patients, preparing patients for examinations, and assisting physicians during examinations. Medical assistants collect and prepare laboratory specimens and administer medications.
Administrative skills may include updating and filing patients’ medical records, filling out insurance forms, and arranging for hospital admissions and laboratory services. Medical assistants also perform tasks less specific to medical settings, such as answering telephones, greeting patients, handling correspondence, and scheduling appointments.
Medical Assistant Labor Statistics
This major provides students with entry-level administrative and clinical skills for a variety of healthcare settings. Students learn and demonstrate current outpatient laboratory collection procedures, assistance with office surgery, front office billing and insurance procedures, and basic computer/word processing skills.

Career Opportunities

There are employment opportunities in hospitals, insurance companies, outpatient medical offices, and HMOs for well-trained executive medical assistants. Medical assistants in Utah earn $9.30 as inexperienced workers with a salary ranging above $10.70 at the median level. In the U.S., median salaries can be $13.60 per hour.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, successful graduates will be able to
  • Confirm personal testimony in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.
  • Collaborate with others using interpersonal skills in an honest, ethical, and Christ-like manner.
  • Communicate effectively using written and verbal presentation principles. 
  • Construct new knowledge using technology and information resource tools. 
  • Comprehend and think critically to solve problems.
  • Cultivate a strong, professional work ethic and life-long learning opportunities.
  • Perform within ethical and legal scope as a medical assistant.
  • Complete clinical documentation in the medical record.
  • Perform or assist with office procedures per clinical policy.
  • Provide accurate patient specimen collection and analysis in compliance to standards.
  • Teach others about body parts and functions.
  • Perform a patient assessment with correct documentation.
  • Articulate career preparation confidently using resumes, portfolios (if applicable) and interviews.

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