Medical Assisting

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Associate Degree

Medical Assisting

Diploma

Medical Assisting

What can I do in medical assisting?

Medical assistants are cross-trained to perform routine administrative and clinical tasks under the direct supervision of a physician. Their duties vary depending on the specific size and specialty of the medical office. Medical assistants who specialize and work in the administrative area of a medical office use computers, answer telephones, greet patients, file and update medical records, complete insurance claim forms, arrange hospital admissions and surgeries, handle correspondence, and perform billing and bookkeeping for the medical practice. Medical assistants who specialize in the clinical area enter medical histories into electronic health records, take vital signs, explain treatment procedures to patients, prepare patients for examinations, assist physicians with examinations, collect and prepare laboratory specimens, draw blood, and perform basic laboratory tests. They also instruct patients with special needs and prepare and administer medications as directed.

What characteristics and skills do I need to work in this field?

Medical assistants must have good communication skills, a caring manner, problem-solving skills and the ability to demonstrate initiative and dependability. They must be able to multi-task and respect the confidential nature of medical information.

Where can I work?

Medical assistants generally work in physician offices, outpatient clinics and urgent care offices. A small percentage of medical assistants work in hospitals.

What does Trident Technical College offer?

Trident Technical College’s Medical Assisting program offers a diploma with hands-on training and internships that prepare students to enter the workforce upon graduation. It is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. An associate degree is available upon completion of the diploma program.

Accreditation

The Medical Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Educational Review Board (MAERB).

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
9355- 113th St. N. # 7709
Seminole, FL 33775
727-210-2350

Graduates of the program are eligible to take the national AAMA certification examination, to earn the CMA (AAMA) credential.

Program Outcomes published in compliance with MAERB policy 210.

Program Outcomes

Year	Exam Passage
2024	90%
2023	85.71%
2022	92.86%
2021	100%
2020	92.31%
Five year Average	92.59%

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Medical Assisting, AAS - Career Outlook

Medical Assisting Information

Medical assistants are instrumental in helping patients feel at ease in the doctor’s office. They often explain instructions for tests and procedures. If you have good communication skills and are usually told you have a caring soul, medical assisting maybe your career.

Certified Medical Assistants (CMA)s are trained in administrative and clinical duties and are the ultimate multi-taskers!

• Welcome patients

• Answer telephones

• Prioritize tasks for patient appointments • Establish and maintain medical records (paper or electronic health records)

• Code and complete insurance claim forms • Schedule appointments

• Monitor the workflow in the reception area

• Arrange for hospital admissions

• Schedule laboratory services, referrals and diagnostic tests

• Process payments for services rendered

• Receive supply orders and rotate stock

• Screen patients

• Take medical histories

• Prepare patients for examinations

• Obtain vital signs (Temperature, Pulse, Respirations, Blood Pressure)

• Instruct patients about medication and special diets

• Transmit prescription orders as directed

• Administer injections as ordered

• Assist physicians during exams, diagnostics procedures & treatments

• Collect and prepare laboratory specimens

• Phlebotomy (Draw blood)

• Perform basic laboratory tests

• Perform quality control procedures

• Take electrocardiograms (ECGs)

• Remove sutures and change dressings

• Set up and clean up for minor surgical procedures

• There are numerous certified medical assisting positions available in the area. The Lowcountry has a huge medical community, and new medical practices open yearly.

• Salaries vary depending on experience; salaries have risen in the last year due to the shortage of CMAs.

• Working in a medical office differs from working in a hospital. Most medical offices work 9-5 five days a week, whereas hospitals require shift work and work holidays and are open 365 days.

• The Medical Assisting program graduated its first class of medical assistants in 1989. That makes it the most extended accredited program in the tri-county area and the second longest in South Carolina.

• Our graduates work in doctor’s offices and hospitals. Many have continued their education in healthcare and are nurses, nurse practitioners, X-ray technicians, lab assistants; along the way, they have earned Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate degrees.

• The credit courses you take in the Medical Assisting Diploma and Associate degree programs will continue to support your career goals and may transfer to other colleges.

Important Links

Program Information and Curriculum Display