Century College's Medical Assistant Program prepares you to become
a multi-skilled professional who assists in patient care management.
The program will help you to develop the critical skills needed to perform clinical, laboratory and administrative duties in clinics, hospitals, urgent care facilities and other health care agencies.
You will also participate in a clinical externship under the direct supervision of a physician. Upon graduation, you are eligible to take the certification exam of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
Accreditation
Our program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation
of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP,1361 Park Street, Clearwater, FL 33756, 727-210-2350) upon the recommendation of the Medical Assistant Education Review Board (MAERB).
Accreditation was awarded from 2002-09.
Program Award: Diploma 48 credits
Program points of pride
- We developed the first online Administrative Procedure course for Medical Assistants in Minnesota.
- The retention rate for our program holds steady at 98%.
- We have more than 75 externship sites that connect our students with clinics in the community.
- On Student Success Day, our Medical Assisting program provides our students with
individual counseling sessions to review progress and address any concerns.
We also provide our students with small-group training in medical administration, medication calculations, spirometry,
and other pertinent skills.
- The GPS Life Plan has been initiated into our Clinical I course,
with students getting group interaction early in the semester with GPS representatives.
- Our program works with Century’s Student Services with conducting mock interviews and resume building with our Administrative Class students.
- Our program also works the Busy Bees Daycare Center. Our students conduct vital clinics and develop interpersonal skills with
preschool children through their interaction with them.
Student Points of Pride
- Michele Theis received the Outstanding Student Award in 2009.
Service Learning
Century College Medical Assistant students:
- partner with elders at the Lyngblomsten Care Facility.
- participate with hearing and vision screening for the Mahtomedi School District.
- perform cholesterol screenings for the DOT.
- participate in flu shot clinics at neighboring clinics.
- perform blood pressure screenings through the American Red Cross, Century College Health Services, and Lyngblomsten Care Facility.
- perform first aid skills on grades 2-5 at the Mahtomedi School District.
- provide various services at a low-income STD/birth-control clinic in Coon Rapids, MN.
Occupational trends
Fast-growing field
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assisting will be one of the fastest growing occupations through the year 2014.
The growth will be driven by an increase in the number of outpatient facilities, such as group practices and clinics.
With the various job opportunities available for the Medical Assistant, starting wages range from $14.00 – $17.00 an hour, with specialty clinics on the higher end of the scale.
Financial aid and scholarships
Maxine Williams Scholarship
M. Maxine Williams was a founder of the American Association of Medical Assistants
and was its first president. Eligibility requirements for this scholarship include students
who:
- are enrolled in and having completed a minimum of one quarter or semester at a
postsecondary medical assisting program accredited by CAAHEP
- have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
Awards of $1,000 and a one-year membership in the American Association
of Medical
Assistants (AAMA) are granted based on academic ability and financial need.
Minnesota Society of Medical Assistants (MSMA)
The MSMA sponsors four $500.00 scholarships a year. Applicants must:
- be Minnesota residents
- attend a CAAHEP-accredited and AAMA-approved medical
assistant program in Minnesota
- have an aptitude for the field of medical assisting
Testimonials
Student Testimonials
"This is a great hand-on learning opportunity, in a fun atmosphere with great instructors. I am on my way to an exciting career in only
one year through Medical Assisting at Century College."
-- Tina Casey, Medical Assistant program graduate
"The instructors are very knowledgeable and offer a lot of one-one-one teaching."
-- Stephanie Norgaard, Medical Assistant program graduate
"The program offers many hands-on opportunities and many real-life experiences."
-- Darlene Xiong, Medical Assistant program graduate
In addition, you can read Mary Beth Collins' (Patient Care Manager, Phalen Village Clinic) testimonial here.