Medical Assisting Studies (AHS 170) Offered Only at McCann Technical School

Program Advisor: Anna Foss, 413-236-2107.

Medical assistants work in a physician's office or healthcare facility performing both business administrative and clinical medical office skills. Business aspects include correspondence, medical records management, insurance billing, appointment scheduling, and medical transcription. Clinical aspects include preparing the patient for, and assisting with, physical examinations and treatment, assessment of vital signs, patient education, preparation and administration of medications, and routine laboratory procedures including drawing blood, and performing electrocardiography.

The McCann medical assisting program, established in 1962, is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). (http://www.caahep.org/) upon the recommendation of the American Association of Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB). Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, 1361 Park Street, Clearwater, FL 33756. Tel. (727) 210-2350. Graduates are eligible to take the national certification examination given by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Those who pass the examination may use the designation of Certified Medical Assistant (CMA).

Students already enrolled in the McCann program may begin taking BCC courses concurrent with their medical assisting coursework and then continue either as full- or part-time students to complete required BCC courses for the associate degree. Other students may wish to pursue some or all of the associate degree requirements at BCC before applying to McCann for the medical assisting program. Previous graduates of the McCann program are encouraged to contact BCC for specific advising regarding the courses necessary to qualify for the associate degree.

Graduation Requirements 

To earn a degree in this program, a student must complete the 64 program and general education credits, plus the additional requirements, shown below and in the next column.

Program

43 Credits

AHS 170

Medical Assisting Studies (see footnote 1)

32

BIO 150

Introduction to the Human Body

4

BIO 207

Microbiology

4

PSY 204

Human Growth and Development

3

General Education

21Credits

CHM 150

Essentials of Chemistry

3

COM

Communication

3

ENG

EnglishComposition/Writing

6

MAT 136

Mathematics for the Health Sciences

3

PSY 107

Introduction to Psychology

3

General Education Elective (see footnote 2)

3

Additional

As Shown

Core Competencies Portfolio

6 items

Forum

12 units

Health/Fitness (3)

30 Hours

Minimum Cumulative Average

2.000

Current AAMA Certification or Certification Eligibility

Suggested block for program completion

The actual time needed to complete the program will vary according to each student's individual needs.

AHS 170

Medical Assisting Studies (see footnote 1)

BIO 150

Introduction to the Human Body

PSY 204

Human Growth and Development

ENG 101

Composition I

ENG 102

Composition II

CHM 150

Essentials of Chemistry

MAT 136

Mathematics for Health Science

PSY 107

Introduction to Psychology

BIO 207

Microbiology

COM

Communication

General Education Elective (see footnote 2)

1. Medical Assisting Studies are only offered at McCann Technical School in North Adams.
2. General Education Elective chosen from History or Humanities and Fine Arts.
3. Fulfilled by successful completion of AHS 170.