Associate in Applied Science Degree
Medical Assistant
program details
Courses
Total = 66 Hours | |
---|---|
First Semester | |
ALH 1200 - Intro to Pharmacology | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
ALH 1201 - Anatomy & Physiology Fundamentals | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
CMA 1201 - Administrative Aspects | 4 Cr. Hrs. |
CMA 1202 - Patient Care I | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
CMA 1203 - Billing & Coding | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
HECO 1202 - Healthcare Terminology | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
Total | 19 Cr. Hrs. |
Second Semester | |
ALH 1202 - Medical Law & Ethics | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
CMA 1204 - Professionalism & Safety | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
CMA 1205 - Lab Diagnostics | 4 Cr. Hrs. |
CMA 1206 - Patient Care II | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
CMA 1207 - Practicum 2 (Last 5 Weeks) | 4 Cr. Hrs. |
Total | 17 Cr. Hrs. |
Third Semester | |
CMA 1208 - Essentials of HIM | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
CSCI 1102 - Intro to Computers w/ Business Applications | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
ENGL 1101 - Rhetoric and Composition I | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
OFTC 1234 - Communication in Technical Services | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
PSYC 2101 - Introduction to Psychology | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
Total | 15 Cr. Hrs. |
Fourth Semester | |
COMM 1101 - Principles of Effective Speaking | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
HEA 1120 - Stress Management | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
MGMT 2201 - Principles of Management | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
SOCI 1101 - Intro to Sociology | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
Costs & How To Pay
Payments on student accounts must be made by the deadline included on the student statement.
- Fall: July 15
- Spring: December 15
- Summer: May 15
Students who do not make payments by this deadline may be dropped from their classes.
Short-Term
Certificates
Essential skills and training to jumpstart your career in a matter of months
Medical Assistant
The 36-hour short-term certificate program in Medical Assistant is crafted to equip individuals with the skills needed to take the national certification examination and earn the Medical Assistant credential. Medical assistants play a vital role in healthcare settings, working under the supervision of physicians in offices, clinics, and other facilities. They handle administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments and maintaining medical records, as well as clinical duties like taking vital signs, preparing patients for exams, and more. To complete the program, students must achieve a grade of 'C' or better in all courses. Additionally, a criminal history background check and drug screenings are required, but the HESI exam is not needed.
Plan Your Medical Assistant Certificate
Total = 36 Hours | |
---|---|
Fall Semester | |
ALH 1200 - Intro to Pharmacology | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
ALH 1201 - Anatomy & Physiology Fundamentals | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
CMA 1201 - Administrative Aspects | 4 Cr. Hrs. |
CMA 1202 - Patient Care I | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
CMA 1203 - Billing & Coding | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
HECO 1202 - Healthcare Terminology | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
Total | 19 Cr. Hrs. |
Spring Semester | |
12-Week Courses | |
ALH 1202 - Medical Law & Ethics | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
CMA 1204 - Professionalism & Safety | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
CMA 1205 - Lab Diagnostics | 4 Cr. Hrs. |
CMA 1206 - Patient Care II | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
5-Week Course: After successful completion of all previous courses | |
CMA 1207 - Practicum 1 | 4 Cr. Hrs. |
Total | 17 Cr. Hrs. |
Medical Assistant
The 36-hour short-term certificate program in Medical Assistant is crafted to equip individuals with the skills needed to take the national certification examination and earn the Medical Assistant credential. Medical assistants play a vital role in healthcare settings, working under the supervision of physicians in offices, clinics, and other facilities. They handle administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments and maintaining medical records, as well as clinical duties like taking vital signs, preparing patients for exams, and more. To complete the program, students must achieve a grade of 'C' or better in all courses. Additionally, a criminal history background check and drug screenings are required, but the HESI exam is not needed.
Plan Your Medical Assistant Certificate
Total = 36 Hours | |
---|---|
Fall Semester | |
ALH 1200 - Intro to Pharmacology | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
ALH 1201 - Anatomy & Physiology Fundamentals | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
CMA 1201 - Administrative Aspects | 4 Cr. Hrs. |
CMA 1202 - Patient Care I | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
CMA 1203 - Billing & Coding | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
HECO 1202 - Healthcare Terminology | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
Total | 19 Cr. Hrs. |
Spring Semester | |
12-Week Courses | |
ALH 1202 - Medical Law & Ethics | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
CMA 1204 - Professionalism & Safety | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
CMA 1205 - Lab Diagnostics | 4 Cr. Hrs. |
CMA 1206 - Patient Care II | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
5-Week Course: After successful completion of all previous courses | |
CMA 1207 - Practicum 1 | 4 Cr. Hrs. |
Total | 17 Cr. Hrs. |
Program Outcomes
2. Perform clinical, laboratory, and emergency procedures within the medical assistant scope of the practice.
3. Identify drug classification and calculate dosage.
4. Demonstrate appropriate communication in the medical setting.
5. Perform medical administrative tasks.
6. Perform medical billing and coding procedures.
7. Demonstrate competence with HIPAA standards
Statement of Purpose
Medical Assistants are multi-skilled health professionals specifically educated to work in ambulatory settings performing administrative and clinical duties. The practice of medical assisting directly influences the public’s health and well-being and requires mastery of a complex body of knowledge and specialized skills requiring both formal education and practical experience that serve as standards for entry into the profession.Program Goals
- Apply principals of infection control, asepsis, and sterilization technique within OSHA guidelines.
- Perform clinical, laboratory, and emergency procedures within the medical assistant scope of the practice.
- Identify drug classification and calculate dosage.
- Demonstrate appropriate communication in the medical setting
- Perform medical administrative tasks
- Perform medical billing and coding procedures
- Demonstrate competence with HIPAA standards.
Minimum Expectations
To prepare competent, entry-level medical assistants in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior), learning domains.5 Reasons to be a Medical Assistant
1. Quick entry into the workforce. Most employers like you to have either a one-year certificate or two-year degree.2. Little to no work experience in a related occupation needed.
3. Job outlook is expected to grow much faster than the average job in the U.S.
4. Work environment is usually a doctor’s office or other healthcare facility.
5. Flexibility of specializing in an administrative or clinical area.
Statement of Purpose
Medical Assistants are multi-skilled health professionals specifically educated to work in ambulatory settings performing administrative and clinical duties. The practice of medical assisting directly influences the public’s health and well-being and requires mastery of a complex body of knowledge and specialized skills requiring both formal education and practical experience that serve as standards for entry into the profession.Program Goals
- Apply principals of infection control, asepsis, and sterilization technique within OSHA guidelines.
- Perform clinical, laboratory, and emergency procedures within the medical assistant scope of the practice.
- Identify drug classification and calculate dosage.
- Demonstrate appropriate communication in the medical setting
- Perform medical administrative tasks
- Perform medical billing and coding procedures
- Demonstrate competence with HIPAA standards.
Minimum Expectations
To prepare competent, entry-level medical assistants in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior), learning domains.5 Reasons to be a Medical Assistant
1. Quick entry into the workforce. Most employers like you to have either a one-year certificate or two-year degree.2. Little to no work experience in a related occupation needed.
3. Job outlook is expected to grow much faster than the average job in the U.S.
4. Work environment is usually a doctor’s office or other healthcare facility.
5. Flexibility of specializing in an administrative or clinical area.
Key Information for Applying
Become Familiar with RLC Admission Requiremements
Being well-informed about admission requirements increases your chances of a successful application and an overall smooth application process.
Apply for Admission
Applying to Rend Lake College is an investment in your future, offering numerous benefits that lead to professional and personal growth.
Speak with an Academic Advisor
Academic advisors are valuable resources for maximizing your college experience and ensuring you make the most of your education.
Apply for Financial Aid
Applying for financial aid opens up a range of financial resources and options that can make attending college more affordable and less stressful.
Start Here. Go Anywhere.
Transfer Information
Students who graduate with an Associate Degree can transfer their credits to a university and pursue a Bachelor's degree and beyond.
Articulation agreements - also known as Transfer Guides - document the pathway between RLC and the university. Historically, RLC has built articulation agreements with midwestern universities. However, students have worked with both institutions to build a pathway.
View our transfer guides and more about articulation agreements
Accreditation
Quality Education. Guaranteed.
Since 1969, Rend Lake College has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), one of six regional accreditors in the United States. Accreditation is vital to what we do. It serves as a measure of quality, allows us to access and distribute federal student aid, facilitates the transfer of classes between institutions and more. The Higher Learning Commission is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Allied Health Division
Phone: (618) 437-5321 Ext. 1251
Email: ah_info@rlc.edu
Address: 468 N. Ken Gray Parkway, Ina, IL 62846 Attn: Allied Health
Fax Number: (618) 437-5677 Attn: Allied Health