Department Chair: Margaret Gas, 847.635.1833, mgas@oakton.edu
The Medical Assistant Certificate prepares students for careers in a medical office or ambulatory care setting. The medical assistant performs a variety of administrative and clinical skills to assist physicians or other health professionals. Students will learn skills in accordance with the standards and guidelines recommended by the Medical Assistant Education Review Board. Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate is eligible to take a national certification exam.
Admission Requirements:
- High school graduation or High School Equivalency Certificate 1.
- Overall GPA of 2.0 or better.
- Placement in EGL 090 or EGL 097 or higher
- Placement in MAT 060 or higher
- Limited Enrollment Health Career Reading Assessment test, taken at Oakton’s Testing Center, with a minimum score of 250. Please contact a health career specialist for more information.
- Foreign high school graduates or students with foreign college credits need to send English translated copies of their transcripts to Education Perspectives, www.edperspective.org/oakton. Students with foreign college credit should request a catalog match.
This is a limited enrollment program. For more information, contact the health career specialist at 847.635.1844.
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As of January 1, 2023, the High School Equivalency Certificate became the State of Illinois High School Diploma. High School Equivalency credentials received prior to that date remain valid.
Medical Assistant Certificate
24 Semester Credit Hours; Curriculum: 0329
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courses for a Certificate | ||
| HIT 104 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| MAP 120 | Basic Healthcare Skills for the Medical Assistant | 6 |
| MAP 180 | Healthcare Office Procedures for the Medical Assistant | 3 |
| MAP 230 | Clinical Skills for the Medical Assistant | 6 |
| MAP 260 | Medical Assistant Practicum | 4 |
| MAP 262 | Medical Assistant Seminar | 2 |
| Total Hours | 24 | |
Medical Assistant Certificate Pathway
The following pathway is recommended for students pursuing the Medical Assistant Certificate.
For more information on recommended courses or program specific advising, contact the Health Career Specialist at 847.635.1266 or the Division of Health Careers at 847.635.1684.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester One | Hours | |
| HIT 104 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| MAP 120 | Basic Healthcare Skills for the Medical Assistant | 6 |
| MAP 230 | Clinical Skills for the Medical Assistant | 6 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester Two | ||
| MAP 180 | Healthcare Office Procedures for the Medical Assistant | 3 |
| MAP 260 | Medical Assistant Practicum | 4 |
| MAP 262 | Medical Assistant Seminar | 2 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 24 | |
Program Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate entry-level clinical and administrative skills based on the recommended standards and guidelines of the Medical Assistant Education Review Board (MAERB).
- Practice legal and ethical standards within the scope of a medical assistant.
- Model professionalism and cultural sensitivity when interacting with patients, staff and healthcare providers.
- Apply principles of effective communication when interacting with patients, staff and healthcare providers.
- Employ time management and prioritization skills in an ambulatory healthcare setting.
- Compose electronic health record documents following legal guidelines and using appropriate terminology.
- Utilize standards and best practices for office accounting and insurance billing in an ambulatory healthcare setting.
- Be eligible to apply for and take a national certification exam.
Medical Assistant Courses
MAP 1206 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 6)
Basic Healthcare Skills for the Medical Assistant
Course introduces basic techniques and knowledge required to perform fundamental healthcare skills. Topics include infection control, hand hygiene, vital signs, body mechanics, patient transfers and oxygen therapy. Professional communication to obtain health history/patient information and medical documentation will also be included.
Prerequisite: Admission to the Medical Assistant Program.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid
Fee: $25
Term Typically Offered: Fall
MAP 1803 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 1)
Healthcare Office Procedures for the Medical Assistant
Course introduces the Medical Assistant student to administrative and general healthcare office functions. Topics included are patient reception, appointment scheduling, clerical functions and bookkeeping procedures, phone etiquette, professional communication and correspondence, preparation and maintenance of medical records and an EHR, confidentiality, and cultural sensitivity in client interactions.
Prerequisite: Admission to Medical Assistant Program
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid
Fee: $25
Term Typically Offered: Fall
MAP 1853 credit hours (lecture: 2 | lab: 4)
Medical Billing and Coding For the Medical Assistant
Course concentrates on application of guidelines and requirements for accurate medical diagnosis and procedure coding for medical office along with efficient and compliant healthcare claims filing. Course provides instruction in insurance processing procedures in the medical office as well as bookkeeping, collection, banking, and financial procedures vital to medical office.
Prerequisite: Completion of HIT 105 with minimum grade of C or concurrent enrollment.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid
Fee: $10
Term Typically Offered: Spring
MAP 2306 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 9)
Clinical Skills for the Medical Assistant
Course combines lecture and clinical skill instruction for the medical assistant student. Emphasis is on practical application of all clinical aspects in the medical/ healthcare office setting. Topics include patient assessment and documentation, medical and surgical asepsis, assisting with minor office procedures, performing an EKG, injections, specialty office and first aid procedures. Includes an observational clinical rotation at a health care office/ ambulatory facility.
Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in MAP 120.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid
Fee: $75
Term Typically Offered: Spring
MAP 2604 credit hours (lecture: 1 | lab: 14)
Medical Assistant Practicum
Course provides the Medical Assistant student with 224 supervised hours of unpaid externship at an affiliated clinical site. Emphasis is placed on achieving competency of entry-level administrative and clinical skills in a healthcare office setting.
Prerequisite: MAP 230 with a minimum grade of C.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Hybrid
Term Typically Offered: Spring
MAP 2622 credit hours (lecture: 2 | lab: 0)
Medical Assistant Seminar
Course is the capstone requirement for graduation from the Medical Assistant program. Content includes professional and ethical issues, preparation for employment, such as resume writing and interview techniques, professional development and communication. Preparation for a national credentialing exam is also included.
Prerequisite: MAP 230 and MAP 120, both with minimum grades of C, and concurrent enrollment in MAP 260 and MAP 180.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid
Term Typically Offered: Spring