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Medical Assistant

Medical Assistant 

Learn about the Medical Assistant Credit Certificate Program at the Harrisburg and Gettysburg campuses AND the Medical Assistant Workforce Development (Noncredit) program in Harrisburg.
 

COVID-19 Immunization Requirements of Clinical Facilities

 

This program is designed for the individual who needs to acquire employment sooner rather than later. Developed to provide the skills necessary to become a well-qualified Medical Assistant, you will complete the program and sit for the industry-recognized Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) certification exam in some cases in less than six months! Once hired you will start earning a very good salary and, in most cases enjoy full benefits! Depending upon your situation and the time you can commit to the program, you can:

  • Register for the full-time, day program attending class four days a week for seven hours a day and complete the program in under six months.
  •  Register for the part-time, evening program attending class three to four evenings a week for three hours an evening (and possibly some Saturdays) and complete the program in under nine months
     

Where does HACC hold classes?

HACC currently offers this noncredit Medical Assistant program at the Harrisburg Campus/Midtown 1 Center and Lancaster Campus.
 

When is this program offered?

Classes are scheduled to begin two to three times a year at the Harrisburg/Midtown 1 Center. The Lancaster classes begin in 2020 and will be evening classes.

The part-time, evening program will take under nine months to complete (depending upon clinical site availability) and the full-time, day program can be completed in under six months.
 

How much does the program cost?

$5,740 plus textbook
 

What are the program admission criteria?

  • Interview with Healthcare Education/Workforce Development staff member
  • 18 years of age and high school diploma or GED
  • Satisfactory criminal background checks completed within 1 year prior to start of the clinical/externship experience (both the PA State Police Criminal History Report and FBI Criminal Background Report including the PA Child Abuse History Record)
  • Current CPR/Basic Life Support certification
     

Where can I get more information?

Download the Medical Assistant/Workforce Development program flyer which includes requirements, costs, etc.
 

Who can I contact for more information or to enroll?

For more information or if you have questions, you can email Healthcare Education staff at nchealth@hacc.edu or call 717-221-1348. An interview is required prior to registering for this program.

The entire Medical Assisting CREDIT program is offered during the day and in the evening at our Harrisburg Campus and during the evening at our Gettysburg Campus.  Contact Debra Beaver, program director, debeaver@hacc.edu, 717-221-1326 today to schedule an advising appointment - required for all students prior to applying for the clinical phase of the program.
 
Clinical/lab classes are held at the Gettysburg (evening for 2022-23) and Harrisburg (day and evening) campuses – Mondays and Wednesdays. Lecture classes are online. 

Search for MA classes: https://banxeappprod.hacc.edu/StudentRegistrationSsb/ssb/classSearch/classSearch

 

The Fall 2022 clinical application - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MAFall22.   Contact the program director, Debra Beaver - debeaver@hacc.edu, if you have any questions and for (mandatory) advising appointment. Download Admission Criteria and Essential Qualifications (pdf).


How much does the program cost?

Download Estimated Expenses (pdf). 
 

 Am I eligible for credentials? 

  • Students in the Medical Assisting Program sit for the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) exam through America Medical Technologists.

    American Medical Technologists is a nationally-recognized, not-for-profit certifying agency for health practitioners who meet entry-level education, experience, and examination requirements. Compliance with eligibility requirements results in the issuance of a certificate and membership in American Medical Technologists (AMT). © 1992, American Medical Technologists.

  • Harrisburg Area Community College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
     

What are the required courses? How long does the program take to complete? Where are the clinical classes held?

  • Download a list of Required Courses. This includes an approximate time commitment (pdf).  Download the  advising checksheet (pdf)
  • The medical assistant certificate program is 37 credits. The complete program is available at the Harrisburg and Gettysburg campuses.
  • An externship (160 hours – usually 4 weeks - minimum 20 hours per week) is required and scheduled during summer semester. It is arranged by the college in a local physician’s office or clinic during normal daytime business hours Monday through Friday. The college attempts to find a site that is close to the student’s place of residence but there are no guarantees.
  • We require students to practice phlebotomy and injection skills on simulators and on each other.
     

How do I enroll in the program? 

Program Admission Criteria - This is a rolling admission program (until full). Admission to the college doesn't guarantee admission to the clinical component of the program. Work with your advisor and the program director to apply to the clinical/core component of the program.

Minimum Criteria to Apply:

Students will be considered for admission into the medical assisting courses who have:

  • GED or high school diploma
  • 2.0 overall GPA for continuing students
  • Documented proficiency, C or better, in English through the 003 and 051 level
  • Documented proficiency, C or better, in Math through the 006 level
  • Met with the program director

Advising: You are required to meet with the program director before you can submit and intent to enroll in the MA clinical courses. Debra Beaver Call 717-221-1326 to schedule appointment.

Application:  Application (for Gettysburg and Harrisburg campuses) will be posted April 1 through April 30, 2022 on the Health Careers Medical Assisting Program website (under Programs Offered). You will select which campus you prefer at the time of application.

Can I advance my education in this field?

  • Graduates have options to pursue additional education. A degree in management or administration would qualify you to work as an office manager.
  •  Certificate program graduates who obtain the RMA credential and gain employment in the field can pursue HACC's Health Science associates degree.

What are the program goals?

Program goals are to prepare students to:  

  • become competent entry-level medical assistants
  • demonstrate competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains
     

What is the most current (2020) program effectiveness data

  • Graduation rate - 100% (Retention)
  • RMA exam pass rate - 100%
  • Job placement - 100%
  • Five-year average for job placement: 80.95% 
  • Five-year average for employer satisfaction: 100%
  • Retention - 100%


How can I get more information?

Visit http://explorehealthcareers.org/en/Career/36/Medical_Assistant

Visit the America Medical Technologists  - www.americanmedtech.org/Medical-Assistant

 

Who can I contact for more information? 

Please contact an Admissions Counselor, by phone at 800-ABC-HACC, or by email at start@hacc.edu
Debra Beaver NRCMA, AAS, AHI, Program Director, Medical Assisting, debeaver@hacc.edu, 717-221-1326


Medical Assisting Program Office: 

HACC Harrisburg Campus
Blocker Hall 101
One HACC Drive 
Harrisburg, PA 17110
717-221-1326

 

 

What is the difference between the two programs?

The credit program

  • 37 credits
  • students are awarded a certificate of completion
  • students are required to sit for the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) exam through America Medical Technologists exam prior to graduation.
  • graduates can continue for an associate in applied science in Health Science degree (students will be awarded 30 college credits for RMA credential and current employment in the field)
  • selective admission program - admission to the college does not guarantee admission to the clinical portion of the program


The Workforce Development (noncredit) program

  • no college credits awarded and does not require completing an application to the college
  • students are awarded a certificate of completion
  • students who complete the program and pass the National Healthcareer Association's CCMA exam may pursue an associate in applied science in Health Science degree (students will be awarded 30 college credits for CCMA credential and current employment in the field)
  • students are required to complete an interview prior to registering for the program
  • The program can be completed in 6 months (full-time).
     

What does a medical assistant do?

A medical assistant (MA) is an allied health professional specifically trained to work in ambulatory settings. You may:
  • Answer phones, greet patients, handle billing & correspondence
  • Take medical histories, record vital signs and prepare patients for exams
  • Assist the doctor during appointments
  • Draw blood and perform lab tests
Learn more about the career  - ExploreHealthCareers.org