MEDICAL ASSISTANT

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Medical Assistant Program

Career Certificate

Our accredited Medical Assistant program prepares you to work closely with doctors and registered nurses to deliver patient care. Depending on the size of the practice, you may have clinical responsibilities (phlebotomy, EKG, taking vital signs) and administrative duties (scheduling, billing, coding.) You can find employment in this fast-growing field at medical offices, ambulatory care centers, and hospitals. Once you complete this program, you can continue on to get your Associate’s Degree or sit for various certification exams.

35

Total Credits

In-demand Career

4.06%

National Certification Exam Pass Rate
for 2021 grads

What Jobs Can I Get?

Graduates of the Medical Assistant Program will be well-prepared for these entry-level jobs:

Median Salary in NJ
$45,510

Draw blood for tests, transfusions, donations, or research. May explain the procedure to patients and assist in the recovery of…

Median Salary in NJ
$38,220

Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical…

Median Salary in NJ
$45,890

Perform secretarial duties using specific knowledge of medical terminology and hospital, clinic, or laboratory procedures. Duties may include scheduling appointments,…

About the Curriculum

Choosing a career as a Medical Assistant allows you to become familiar with the healthcare industry and exposes you to the various medical settings and specialties of patient care.

35 total credits (585 academic hours + 180 practicum hours) over three semesters for a fulltime student

Classes held on Passaic and Paterson campuses. Medical Assistant core courses held on Passaic campus

Clinical Placement for unpaid internship will occur in the surrounding community and outside the county

Program requires the student to sit for a national certification exam as part of their capstone course.  The various certification exams include: CCMA (Certified Clinical Medical Assistant), CMA (Certified Medical Assistant), and RMA (Registered Medical Assistant).

Program prepares the student to sit for CPT (Certified Phlebotomy Technician) certification exam.

There are no technical standards to participate in this program.

Occupational risks are outlined in the program handbook.

You will graduate with foundational knowledge and a versatile skill set:

Clinical Skill Set:

  • Performing vital signs
  • Administering medications
  • Specimen collection
  • Phlebotomy
  • Assisting with physical exam

Administrative skill set:

  • Billing
  • Coding
  • Office responsibilities
  • Computer skills
  • Navigating Electronic health records

Important Links


Questions? Contact Us

Rosemarie Rocchio, BSN MS RNC NIC, CCMA
Director of Healthcare Certificate Programs
[email protected]
973-341-1632

Accreditation: The PCCC Medical Assistant Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of MAERB.

I learned so much from my professors in this program. After my internship assisting in a cardiologist’s office, I was offered a job there and felt well prepared for it.

Kristine Carrillo, Medical Assistant Program

Program Requirements

Health Policy

After admission to the Medical Assistant Program students are required to meet medical requirements of the clinical agencies used for the externship segment of the program. A complete physical examination as well as laboratory/screening tests are required, and additional updates may be required annually. Students must be able to participate fully in the clinical practice experience without limitations from medical or other reasons. Students who become ill or injured during their enrollment in the program, or those undergoing long-term or specialized treatment including medications must have their physician complete the program’s Medical Release form documenting that the student may participate in clinical practice without limitations. The following items are required of all students after admission to the Medical Assistant Program, prior to the beginning of the MAE 250 Internship course:

  1. Physical examination by a physician or nurse practitioner
  2. Urinalysis
  3. Complete Blood Count
  4. Initial Tuberculin Mantoux (PPD) Two-Step TB Test
  5. TDAP (Tetanus, Diptheria, and Pertussis) within 10 years
  6. Rubella (German Measles), Rubeola (Measles), Parotitis (Mumps) and Varicella (Chicken Pox) blood titers
    to determine immunity status
  7. Documentation of Hepatitis B immunization series or a Hepatitis B titer showing immune status. If found
    to be non-immune, the student must have the immunization series.
  8. Drug testing annually or more often as required by the clinical agency
    Once admitted to the Medical Assistant program, students will participate in an orientation and receive detailed
    instructions for completing the medical requirements

Criminal History Background Check

Only students with a completely clear background check and no “hits” of any type may register for the Medical Assistant program. Students who do not have clear background checks will not be admitted to the program. Clear background check need to be maintained throughout the program or student will be required to withdraw
from the program.

The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO), the primary accrediting body for our clinical agencies, has mandated criminal history background checks for all individuals involved in patient care. All Medical Assistant students must undergo criminal history background checks upon admission and annually there- after, or more frequently if required by the clinical agency. Clinical agencies require that the results of the background check are clear in order for a student to attend clinical practice.

These checks are conducted by an external vendor. The cost of this background check is the student’s responsibility. The information is sent to the college. Clinical agencies may require that a copy of the student’s background check report be sent to the agency

Basic Life Support Certification

All students are required to complete an American Heart Association Basic Life Support Health Care Provider Course prior to beginning the Medical Assistant clinical courses; MAE 101 & MAE 200. Certification must be kept current throughout the program.

Health Insurance

All students must show evidence of health insurance to participate in the Medical Assistant Internship. The college does NOT offer health insurance.

Malpractice Insurance

There are a number of insurance companies that provide malpractice insurance for a nominal yearly fee. This information can be provided to you or you can choose your own provider. Proof of insurance needs to be provided prior to the clinical internship

Document Management/Tracking

Documentation of completion of each of these requirements is submitted to a confidential database managed by Castlebranch. Students receive e-mail communication as items are completed/rejected/overdue based on program guidelines. Students are responsible for the $30.00 cost of this document tracking which covers all semesters of the program.

Internship Sites

The Medical Assistant Program has partnered with a variety of sites for the students to complete their internship requirement. These clinical opportunities will prepare the student to meet their clinical and administrative responsibilities upon graduation. Clinical experiences may take place outside of the county where the student is attending classes.

The Medical Assistant Career Certificate program at Passaic County Community College meets the state education requirements for practice as a medical assistant in the state of New Jersey.   

Passaic County Community College has not determined if the Medical Assistant Career Certificate program at Passaic County Community College meets the state education requirements in any other state, any U.S. Territory, or the District of Columbia. 

The American Association of Medical Assistants may have resources that may be helpful or the links below.