The Medical Assisting Technology Program at H. Councill Trenholm State Technical College is accredited by the American Association of Medical Assistants’ Endowment and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. The curriculum is designed to provide students with theoretical instruction as well as practical application. Various methodologies are utilized in order to meet the needs of students with diverse learning styles. Some of the clinical skills covered include taking medical histories, taking and recording vital signs, assisting with examinations and treatments, providing patient teaching and performing specialized tests such as electrocardiograms (EKGs) and diagnostic laboratory testing. Administrative skills covered include scheduling appointments, manual and computerized billing, filing insurance claims, and medical transcription.

All graduates of the Medical Assisting Technology Program are academically eligible to take the American Association of Medical Assistants National Certification Examination. Upon successful completion of this examination, the graduate will earn the title of Certified Medical Assistant. The American Association of Medical Assistants stipulates that individuals found guilty of a felony or individuals who have pleaded guilty to a felony are ineligible to sit for the National Certification Exam. The certifying board may grant a waiver based upon mitigating circumstances. Applicants who have been convicted of a felony or who have pleaded guilty to a felony may be accepted to the Medical Assisting Technology Program. However, admission to the Medical Assisting Technology Program does not guarantee in any way that the applicant will be eligible to sit for the American Association of Medical Assistants National Certification Examination. 

Occupational Choices

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Medical Assisting is expected to be one of the fastest growing occupations through the year 2012. Job placement opportunities are numerous in the Montgomery area. Most employers prefer to hire individuals who have completed a formal program in Medical Assisting. Physicians’ offices, laboratories, hospitals and ambulatory care centers are just a few of the current job opportunities. 

Average Full Time Wage

The average full-time annual wage of a medical assistant is $20,259 to $28,412.*

Awards Available

Associate Degree in Applied Technology in Medical Assisting
Specialized Training Certificate in Medical Assiting

Estimated Length & Cost*

* Tax not included.  Prices are subject to change without prior notice; cost of books may vary considerably among suppliers.  The length of the program is based on full-time status of 12-15 credit hours per term.  Enrollment in transitional level general education courses will alter the length of the program.

All costs are approximate and subject to change.

Additional Requirements

Students are admitted to the Medical Assisting Technology Program each semester. Individuals who are interested in enrolling in the program must:

1. Meet all the general admission requirements of Trenholm Tech.
   

2. Be a high school graduate or the recipient of the GED certificate.

3. Submit an admission application to the college identifying Medical Assisting as your program of choice. This application should be on file prior to the beginning of the anticipated semester of enrollment.

4. Submit an official copy of your high school transcript or GED certificate. Transcript must be on file prior to the anticipated semester of enrollment.

5. Submit an official copy of your college transcript for each school attended. Transcript must be on file prior to the anticipated semester of enrollment.

6. Complete the COMPASS Assessment. Students must score a minimum of 65 on the reading component, 62 on the writing component, and 36 on the pre-algebra component. Conditional admission may be granted provided the student participates in and completes an individualized enrichment plan.

7. Schedule an appointment, prior to the beginning of the anticipated date of enrollment, with the program coordinator or designee, to validate a keying speed of 30 words per minute. Individuals not meeting this requirement must enroll in MAT 099 - Introduction to Document Production.  Appointments will not be scheduled once the semester begins.

8. Students must submit health information and have a complete physical examination by a licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner prior to participation in learning experiences in any clinical facility.

9. Students must provide documentation of required immunizations (Hepatitis B, Tetanus, MMR, and TB) as well as provide documentation of a negative TB skin test no sooner than 3 months prior to the anticipated semester of enrollment and no later than 30 days after enrollment in the program. Students who have a positive TB skin test result must submit documentation of a negative chest x-ray within 30 days of enrollment in the program. Students must have the TB skin test repeated yearly until completion of the program.

10. After being admitted to the Medical Assisting Technology program, students must: attend a Departmental Orientation during the first semester of enrollment. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in disenrollment from the program.

11. Students must have current CPR certification to participate in learning experiences in any clinical facility. The certification must remain valid throughout the learning experience.
    
    
12. Student must have liability insurance prior to participating in learning experiences in any clinical facility. The insurance is available through the college. The cost of the liability insurance is the student’s responsibility.
    
    
13. Students are required to adhere to the program’s dress code when participating in laboratory and clinical activities on campus as well as off campus.
    
    
    ^*Data obtained from the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2006-2007