Medical Assisting Certificate

The Medical Assistant is a respected, multi-skilled health professional who performs diverse duties in medical offices, clinics and health centers. The varied skills offered by the program provide the opportunity to work either in the administrative or clinical environment.

The goal of the Medical Assisting program is to prepare competent entry-level medical assistants in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. This program develops the student’s knowledge base and skills by providing a theoretical foundation and by developing the student’s ability to perform clinical as well as office and administrative procedures. Courses combine lectures, laboratory sessions, simulations, and assignments to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to be effective members of the healthcare team. Hands-on practice, along with clinical and work experience is gained during a supervised internship component. Courses are offered on-ground, select courses are offered in a hybrid or online format.

Students are simultaneously enrolled in the Certificate and Associate Degree programs. Students complete the certificate first and are awarded a Certificate in Medical Assisting. Students then continue in the Associate Degree program. Graduates of the Certificate program are prepared and encouraged to sit immediately upon graduation for the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) examination administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and for the Medical Assistant Certification (CCMA) examination administered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

Students enrolled in the Day Division can complete the certificate program attending school full-time in 45 weeks. Students enrolled in the Evening Division can complete the certificate program attending school part-time in 60 weeks.

Students interested in pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Health Science or Associate in Science in Medical Assisting can apply the majority of their Medical Assisting credits towards that degree. Students should contact the Health Science Program Director for more information.

Admission Requirements

Complete the application for admission into Goodwin University. Applicants to the Medical Assisting program must first meet the requirements for admission and be accepted into Goodwin University.

1. Complete the following prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of a “C” or better:
   1. HSC 105 - Medical Terminology  
   2. BIO 101 - Concepts in Human Biology  
2. Complete the Medical Assisting program application
3. Interview with the Program Director and/or Practicum Coordinator before admission.

Accepted Students

Medical Assisting students will be required to provide documentation of a Physical Exam (within 2 years) and immunizations prior to starting the program. Student immunizations must remain current throughout the program. Immunization requirements include:

1. Hepatitis B vaccination or titer
2. Influenza vaccination (within 1 year)
3. MMR vaccination or titer
4. Varicella vaccination or titer
5. Tetanus vaccination (within 7 years)
6. Two-step PPD (within 1 year)
7. Students will be asked to provide confirmation of the following prior to internship:
8. Proof of current CPR certification - Students must obtain CPR certification by the American Heart Association for Healthcare Providers/BLS and First Aid
9. Proof of Liability Insurance - Students must obtain their own professional liability insurance before beginning internship
10. Receipt of confidentiality statement
11. Proof of completion of the Health and Safety test from Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA)

All Medical Assisting students must successfully pass a background check and drug test prior to the start of their internship. Forms are provided by program personnel.

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of all program requirements, graduates will be able to:

1. Utilize medical terminology appropriately;
2. Describe the anatomy and physiology of the human body, as well as the related disease processes;
3. Describe legal and regulatory frameworks of healthcare as they relate to the Medical Assistant;
4. Demonstrate computer literacy skills;
5. Effectively engage in written and oral communication as demonstrated through charting and communication with patients and other health professionals;
6. Prepare patients for examination or procedures, and assist the physician with the examination or procedure;
7. Collect and prepare laboratory specimens, as well as perform basic laboratory testing;
8. Perform phlebotomy and other invasive specimen collection techniques; and
9. Perform electrocardiograms and respiratory testing.

Medical Assisting Program Policies

Policies specific to the Medical Assisting program may be found in the Medical Assisting Student Handbook.

Graduation Requirements

Students must complete all the general Associate graduation requirements as stated in the catalog. In addition, students must complete the following programmatic graduation requirements which are not included in the 30 credits needed for graduation:

1. Complete all major core course requirements with a minimum grade of “C”.
2. Complete HSC 105  and BIO 101  with a minimum grade of “C”.