Medical Assistant - Certificate

Sussex County Community College Medical Assistant Program will train students to become competent multi-skilled healthcare professionals who are specifically educated to work in ambulatory healthcare settings performing both administrative and clinical duties.  During their course of study, SCCC Medical Assistant students will have the opportunity to master a complex set of cognitive, psychomotor, and affective skills via formal education and practical experience that serve as standards for entry into the profession. The acquired skills identify SCCC medical assistant graduates as an indispensable part of a dynamic healthcare facility who can perform the responsibilities demanded by almost any physician’s office across the country.  Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), Sussex County Community College Medical Assisting Program provides its students with the highest quality of education in the field of medical assisting that enables them to become eligible to sit for any NCCA (National Commission for Certifying Agencies) accredited Medical Assistant National Certification Exam.

1. Provides a curriculum that prepares competent entry-level medical assistants in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills) and affective (behavior) learning domains outlined in the curriculum and competencies defined by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Educational Programs (CAAHEP) the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and American Medical Technologist (AMT).
2. Offers a program that is sensitive to the Healthcare industry needs.
3. Ensures student, faculty and program adherence to HIPAA regulations, OSHA standards, and the practices and provisions defined by the AAMA and AMT Code of Ethics.
4. Delivers quality courses and faculty to enable timely and appropriate student achievement and enable the Medical Assistant Program to meet its mission, goals, and standards. 
5. Demonstrate effective communication, interpersonal and critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
6. Prepares medical assistant students to sit for a national certification examination administered by any NCCA (National Commission for Certifying Agencies) accredited Medical Assistant National Certification Exam such as CMA-AAMA (American Association of Medical Assistants), RMA-AMT (American Medical Technologists) or CCMA-NHA (National Healthcareer Association)
7. Presents the students with a positive learning experience during the required 160 hours of externship off campus.

Administrative Duties (may include, but not limited to): 

• Using computer applications
• Welcoming patients, Scheduling appointments.
• Updating and filing patient medical records
• Arranging for hospital admissions and laboratory services
• Handling correspondence, billing, coding, filling out insurance forms and bookkeeping

Clinical Duties (may include, but not limited to): 

• Taking medical history and preparing patients for examination
• Patient education and explaining treatment procedures.
• Assisting the physician during medical exams and minor surgical procedures
• Collecting and preparing laboratory specimens
• Performing basic laboratory tests
• Instructing patients about medication and special diets
• Preparing and administering medications as directed by a physician
• Transmitting prescription refills as directed
• Drawing blood
• Performing electrocardiograms

Medical assistants are instrumental as Patient Liaisons and essential members of the Patient-Centered Medical Home team. According to a survey by the Healthcare Intelligence Network, medical assistants ranked as one of the top five professionals necessary to the PCMH team.

Graduates of SCCC Medical Assistant programs are eligible to participate in a variety of certification examinations, including:

• Certified Medical Assistant - CMA (AAMA)
• Certified Medical Administrative Assistant - CMAA (NHA)
• Registered Medical Assistant - RMA (AMT)
• Certified Clinical Medical Assistant - CCMA (NHA)
• Certified Electrocardiography Technician - CET (NHA)
• Certified Phlebotomy Technician - CPT (NHA)
• Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers - BLS (AHA)

Thank you for choosing Sussex County Community College as the place to begin your education. We pride ourselves on giving you the individualized attention you need to be successful.

• Apply online or complete an application and return it to the Admissions Office. You will be issued a student ID #.
• All applicants must schedule a personal interview with the Program Supervisor, Dr. Suzan Melik. Registration for classes will take place upon the completion of the interview.