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Important Information:
Introduction
The Medical Assistant Program at Imperial Valley College has been active since 1997.
After completion of 30 units, an IVC Certificate of Achievement in Medical Assisting
is awarded, and students prepare to take the certification exam to become certified
in California.
Duties of a Medical Assistant
MAs help physicians examine and treat patients and perform routine tasks to keep offices and clinics running smoothly. MAs usually handle clerical and clinical duties and report directly to the office manager or physician. Some administrative (front office) duties include answering phones, greeting patients, updating patient medical records, filling out insurance forms, and arranging for hospital admission and lab services. Some clinical (back office) duties include taking and recording vital signs and medical history, explaining treatment procedures to patients, preparing patients for exams, and assisting during the exam.Medical assistant employment is expected to grow in the next decade. The expansion of healthcare industries and an emphasis on cost containment will result in an increased use of medical assistants by healthcare establishments.
Characteristics, Working Conditions, and Salary
A Medical Assistant is considered a member of the Allied Health team and is a multi-skilled health professional used in ambulatory areas such as clinics and doctor's offices. An MA is expected to be proficient in the administrative, clinical, and lab components of the workplace. Characteristics include organization, critical thinking, excellent communication skills, a compassion demeanor, being a good listener, customer service oriented, trustworthy, being honest and having integrity, competent, adaptable, team player, humility, self-motivator, and having a smile contribute to a great MA. The annual salary is from $36,000 to $48,000 depending on location. The average hourly rate in California ranges from $18 to $21, sometimes higher depending on location.
Course of Study
| Course |
Title |
| AHP 100 | Medical Terminology |
| MA 071 | Introduction to Medical Assistant |
| MA 073 | Medical Assistant Administration |
| MA 075 | Principles for Medical Billing, Insurance & Coding |
| BIO 090 | Anatomy & Physiology for Health Occupations |
| MA 077 | Administrative Externship |
| MA 081 | Medication Math & Pharmacology |
| MA 083 | Foundations of Medical Practice for MA's |
| MA 085 | Exam Room & Special Procedures |
| MA 087 | MA Practicum and Review |
Schedule of Classes:
How to Enroll
A grade of C or higher is required for successful completion of each course; students cannot progress to the next course if a C is not obtained. Check the course syllabus for details. Students with previous credit are advised to meet with a counselor for direction. Refer to the IVC Schedule Site for course syllabus https://schedule.imperial.edu/
Estimated Costs:
Textbooks:
MA 71 (Textbook/Study Guide):
Today's Medical Assistant, 4th Edition (paperback)
By Kathy Bonewit-West, BS, MEd and Sue Hunt, MA, RN, CMA (AAMA)
ISBN: 978-0323581271
Study Guide for Today's Medical Assistant, 4th Edition (paperback)
By Kathy Bonewit-West, BS, MEd and Sue Hunt, MA, RN, CMA (AAMA)
ISBN: 978-0323639866
Textbook/Study Guide used throughout entire MA program.
(3rd edition of this textbook is no longer acceptable)
MA 73 Textbook:
Exploring Electronic Health Records Text and eBook (1-year access) and
NAVIGATOR+ Second Edition
By Darline Foltz and Karen Lankisch
ISBN-13: 978-0763881306
For MA 75 Textbook/Workbook:
Medical Insurance: A Revenue Cycle Process Approach, 8th Edition
By Joanne Valerius, Nenna Bayes, Cynthia Newby and Amy Blochowiak
ISBN: 978-1259608551
The ISBN for the combo with Connect (online resources) is: 978-1260692136
Medical Insurance: A Revenue Cycle Process Approach Workbook, 8th Edition
By Joanne Valerius, Nenna Bayes, Cynthia Newby and Amy Blochowiak
ISBN: 978-1260489149
MA 81 Textbook:
Principles of Pharmacology for Medical Assistant, 6th Edition
By Jane Rice
ISBN: 978-1305859326
Required Clearances
Students must receive full clearance before entering any of the externship sites. Upon enrolling in MA classes, students will begin to receive emails regarding clearances to their IVC student email account.
The following clearances are required once enrolled*
*Please wait to received email with instructions before you begin with clearances.
Advisement
Students are advised to meet with the Nursing & Allied Health Program Counselors for guidance and direction on their educational plan. The counselors are located in the Counseling Department, Building 100
Nursing Counselors:
Certification Exam
Year-round testing is conducted by the Certifying Board for Medical Assistants (CCBMA) http://www.ccbma.org/. Students take all sections of the exam - Basic plus Administrative and Clinical - to become certified as Medical Assistants in California. Students apply for the exam during MA 084.
Additional Resources:
The Medical Board of California - https://www.mbc.ca.gov/Licensees/Physicians_and_Surgeons/Medical_Assistants/
Certification Testing - https://ccbma.org/
If you have any questions or concerns please contact:
Beatriz Trillas, Nursing Program, Staff Support Technician at beatriz.trillas@imperial.edu
Lidia Trejo. Medical Assistant Instructor at lidia.trejo@imperial.edu
Alicia Ortega, Medical Assistant Instructor at alicia.ortega@imperial.edu
