Medical Assisting Technology

(Harrison County and Perkinston Campus)

Fall Entry

Medical Assisting is a multi-skilled allied health profession whose practitioners work primarily in ambulatory settings such as medical offices and clinics. Medical assistants function as members of the health-care delivery team and perform many administrative and clinical procedures. The business administrative duties include scheduling and receiving patients; obtaining patients’ data; maintaining medical records; handling telephone calls, correspondence, reports, and manuscripts; assuming responsibility for office care; and handling insurance matters, office accounts, fees, and collections. The clinical duties vary according to state law and may include preparing patients for examination, obtaining vital signs, taking medical histories, assisting with examinations and treatments, performing routine office laboratory procedures and electrocardiograms, preparing and administering medications and immunizations, sterilizing instruments and equipment for office procedures, and instructing patients in preparation for x-ray and laboratory examinations. Both administrative and clinical duties involve purchasing and maintaining supplies and equipment. A medical assistant may also be responsible for personnel and office management.

After completion of the program students are eligible and encouraged to sit for a certification exam. Graduates are eligible to sit for the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) exam offered through the American Medical Technologists (AMT), as well as, the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam offered through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).

The Medical Assisting Technology Program at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) 9355 113th Street N., #7709, Seminole, FL 33775 (727-210-2350) upon the recommendation of Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB) 2339 N. California Ave., #47138, Chicago, IL 60647, Telephone number 800-228-2262. Website www.maerb.org.

Review NC-SARA: Accepted College Licensure or Certifications by Educational Program & State to learn what states outside of Mississippi accept the licensure that can be obtained by completion of these programs.

Program Goals

The goals of the Medical Assisting program include;

• To prepare competent entry-level medical assistants in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.
• To prepare graduates to successfully pass a Medical Assistant certification examination.
• To meet the employment needs of the health care community in the MGCCC district and surrounding areas for Medical Assistants.

Admission Procedure

1. Make application and be accepted to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Application can be completed online.
2. Submit copies of official transcripts of all schools attended to the Office of Admissions. All transcripts must be reviewed by the Office of Admission for determination of course credits.
3. Meet all Academic Requirements (listed below) and complete any program pre-requisites or Entry Requirements.

After successful completion and submission of ALL academic and entry requirements (See section below), the student is eligible to complete the Medical Assisting Technology Supplemental Application for Program Admission.           

                                            
Fall Semester Application Submission: Between April 15th and July 1 complete and submit the online Supplemental Application.   
                                       
To complete and submit the online Supplemental Application:

1. Visit MGCCC Web Services
2. Select Student
3. Select School of Nursing and Health Professions Supplemental Application.                      

Thereafter, the applicant MUST read the guidelines carefully.  In order to complete and submit the application, college admission and ALL pre-requisite requirements are required.

Supplemental Application Deadline Dates:                        

Fall semester - July 1                                                                
(If deadline falls on a weekend, holiday, or closing, the deadline is 5 p.m. on the next college business day). ALL required test scores, transcripts, and entry items (CBC, pre-orientation, etc.) must be completed with results placed in Banner (MGCCC’s computer information system) by the appropriate college employee prior to the deadline. In addition, any outstanding college holds must be clear in order for the applicant to complete and submit the supplemental program application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.  (MGCCC reserves the right to review additional supplemental applications following the posted deadline).

Academic and Entry Requirements

• Achieve a minimum Accuplacer English Placement score (Traditional Exam = 175; Next Generation Exam = 502)
• Achieve a minimum Accuplacer Math Placement score (Traditional Exam = 53; Next Generation Exam = 231)
• Successful completion (“C” or better) of the prerequisite course, BIO 2514 - Anatomy and Physiology I (LEC/LAB) .
• Review the online mandatory Pre-School of Nursing and Health Professions Orientation Session prior to completing the supplemental application for program ranking.  The session can be viewed anytime and anywhere you have access to the internet.  The Power Point presentation gives you valuable information on topics common to all School of Nursing and Health Professions programs at MGCCC.   Even without the ability to speak directly or interact immediately with a School of Nursing and Health Professions advisor, the session speaks to frequently asked questions from program entrance to completion.  In order to receive credit for viewing the session, follow the steps below.  The information is approximately one (1) hour in length.                                                              

To complete this requirement do the following:

1. Visit MGCCC Web Services
2. Select Student
3. Select School of Nursing and Health Professions Supplemental Application Orientation Session.                                                                                      
4. In order to receive credit, you must review the entire session.
5. Click survey complete so that your log-in information will be recorded in the college’s BANNER system.   

• Comply with Mississippi law requiring a Criminal Background History Check with Fingerprinting through the Mississippi Department of Health. All students making application to a School of Nursing and Health Professions program at MGCCC are required to obtain a clear or acceptable Criminal Background Check from the MGCCC Campus Police Department at HC, JC, Perkinston, or GC Campus.  The criminal background check policy (including testing dates and times) can be viewed at School of Nursing and Health Professions Criminal Background Check Policy .

Selection Process

Program openings are filled based on Selective Admission; applicants are ranked based on their individual achievement test scores and prior college course work. Student ranking for entry into the Medical Assisting program is based on a point system. Students are awarded points for their required ACCUPLACER, and points for successful completion of BIO 2514  based on their achieved grade. Bonus points will also be awarded for successful completion of any other college credit courses which could be used to complete degree requirements for the AAS option. Program enrollment is a floating number which can fluctuate each year based on availability of clinical rotation slots. Students who are selected are also held to the following program policies.

Medical Assisting Program Policies

• All students are required to submit to substance testing in accordance with the substance testing policy and procedures for the School of Nursing and Health Professions.  The testing policy can be viewed by clicking here: School of Nursing and Health Professions Substance Testing Policy  
• The School of Nursing and Health Professions requires proof of Immunizations and/or CPR. Submission of all required documents will begin following program acceptance. Failure to meet the requirements will result in withdrawal/dismissal.
• Upon admission to the Medical Assisting Program, students must maintain a 2.0 GPA on the required courses and complete each course with a C or better.
• Adherence to additional clinical affiliation requirements may be necessary depending on clinical rotation placement. (i.e. hospital orientation, HIPPA training, CPR certification).
• The School of Nursing and Health Professions Student Manual can be viewed here  

MET program – Cost List (Estimate only)

Prior to Entering Program

• Criminal Background Check $65 - $80 (MGCCC Campus Police)

Once Admitted into Program

• General MGCCC Tuition and Fees
• Career and Technical Program Fee $35 per credit hour
• Pre-admission Physical Exam and Immunizations $200 - $300                                              
• Books $500 - $700 (plus rental fees, if applicable)                                                                   
• Substance Testing $29 -$35 per semester                           
• Liability Insurance $12 -$15 per semester
• Additional purchase items, supplies $50 - $100                    
• Uniform, Accessories $300 - $400

Cost may be subject to change