Medical Assisting

Program Location

Check mark Main Campus
Check mark Kimball Site

TCAT health division: 423-697-4447

Medical Assistant Program Application Packet

  • Main Campus (Day): next available class begins Fall 2023 (Contact: Cynthia Rutledge)
  • Main Campus (Evening): TBD
  • Kimball Campus (Day): next available class begins Fall 2023 (Contact: Nancy Draper)

Employment Stats

  • Program Length 1 year (Diploma)
  • Job Placement 85.71%
  • Certification Pass Rate 66.67%
  • Average Earnings $34,800 / yr
  • Cost $6,119

About Program

Our goal is to prepare competent entry-level medical assistants in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. Students receive a combination of classroom study, practice in the campus laboratory, and clinical and administrative practice in local physicians' offices. The major emphasis of the program is placed on clinical, administrative and general physician office practices. The Medical Assistant program prepares students to assume the role of health professionals in the field of medical assisting by providing technical instruction and skill development that will enable students to become gainfully employed.  Students receive individualized instruction providing a combination of classroom study, practice in the campus laboratory, and clinical and administrative practice which is gained through student externships in local physicians’ offices.

Medical assistants held about 495,970 jobs in 2009. About 62 percent were in physicians’ offices, and about 12 percent were in public and private hospitals, including inpatient and outpatient facilities and almost 11 percent worked in offices of other health practitioners, such as chiropractors and podiatrists. The rest worked mostly in outpatient care centers, public and private educational services, other ambulatory health care services, State and local government agencies, medical and diagnostic laboratories, nursing care facilities, and employment services.

Medical assistants are in demand! Medical assisting is one of the nation's fastest growing careers, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. This can be attributed to a predicted surge in the number of physicians' offices and out-patient care facilities. Technological advancements and the growing number of elderly Americans who need medical treatment are also factors for the increased demand for medical assistants.

 


Accreditation

The Medical Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education programs upon the recommendation of the Medical Assistant Education Review Board (MAERB).

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs

  • Address: 25400 U.S. Highway 19 North, Suite 158, Clearwater, FL 33763,
  • Phone: 727-210-2350
  • Fax: 727-210-2354 
  • Website: www.caahep.org

 


Occupational Risks

Medical Assisting is a profession with many rewards, as practitioners can perform both administrative and clinical services, filling several roles in a variety of healthcare environments.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics clearly outlines that it is a growth field, with an anticipated 18% growth from 2020 to 2030. 

Medical Assistants work directly with providers and patients, with the goal of providing healthcare and ensuring patient safety. It is a position with a great deal of responsibility. 

As with any healthcare position, there are certain occupational risks that come into play with being a medical assistant, and those hazards include the following:

  • Exposure to infectious diseases
  • Sharps injuries
  • Bloodborne pathogens and biological hazards
  • Chemical and drug exposure
  • Ergonomic hazards from lifting, sitting, and repetitive tasks
  • Latex allergies
  • Stress

At the same time, there are protections set up with the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), and those protections are particularly important within a healthcare environment. OSHA has a series of standards that protect the safety of healthcare workers and patients. 

Accredited medical assisting programs are required to teach students about the hazards that they face on the job and the protocols that can be put into place to ensure a workplace culture that prioritizes safety.

Job Expectations

Medical assistants work in well-lighted, clean environments. They constantly interact with people and may have to handle several responsibilities at once. Most full-time medical assistants work a regular 40-hour week. Some work part-time, evenings and/or weekends.

Program reports 2020 Job Placement of 85.71%
Revised June 2023

Expected Earnings

The earnings of medical assistants vary, depending on experience, skill level, and location. The median annual income for medical assistants was $34,800/yr.

Course Schedule

Students may enroll during the fall (day classes) or spring (evening classes). Students who are eligible to enroll will be given an opportunity to register for one of the open seats during the enrollment period for each term.

  • Full-time classes
  • Day and Evening Classes
  • Enrollment is limited to 22 students in each class

Third semester students (day & evening), perform a 40hr/wk practicum in a physicians office

Full-Time Program Schedule for (semester) (Hours)
Semester Day Class Evening Class Kimball Class Days
Fall (450 hours) 7:45 – 2:30 TBA 9:00 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. CT Monday - Friday
Spring (450 hours) 7:45 – 2:30 3:15pm – 10:00pm 9:00 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. CT Monday - Friday
Summer (390 hours) 7:45 – 2:45 3:15pm – 10:00pm 9:00 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. CT Monday - Friday

Cost

FIRST SEMESTER TUITION - $1,354.00

TEXT BOOKS:                                   

  • McGraw Hill Text - Medical Assisting 7e edition
  • McGraw Hill Workbook - Medical Assisting 7e edition
  • McGraw Hill Connect Plus+

The above books are bundled at a price that includes: text, workbook and Connect Plus+ Code. You must have all three components (available at campus bookstore) ISBN 9781264244300  

The bundled cost approx: $296.00

  • Elsevier Exploring Medical Language 10th Edition w/online access - $160.00 - ISBN 9780323574112            
  • McGraw Hill Shanholtzer Integrated EHR 4e Text w/online access code - $139.75 - ISBN 9781260064650      
  • Basic Keyboarding and Formatting - $184.00 - ISBN 9781401811891

Please do not open books or attempt to register codes until the first day of class. The bookstore will not return opened bundled books or access codes. Keep your receipts! NOTE: The prices listed for textbooks are estimated costs.


ADDITIONAL ESTIMATED COST:                                          

  • Malpractice (Liability) Insurance -$15.00
  • Stethoscope - $25.00
  • Lab Coat - $25.00
  • Scrub Suit Uniforms/Leather Shoes - $300.00
  • Health Physical - $200.00
  • Background Check - $24.50
  • Drug Screen - $31.00
  • Laptop - $200.00
  • Watch - $25.00
  • Misc. Supplies - $75.00
  • (Pens, paper, folders, binders, flash-drive, index cards, highlighters…)                    

SECOND SEMESTER TUITION - $1,354.00

  • CPR Class - $50.00
  • Random Drug Screen - $31.00                                                                      

THIRD SEMESTER TUITION - $1,354.00

  • Random Drug Screen - $31.00
  • Certification Exam Fees/Study Guides - $200.00

TOTAL ESTIMATED COSTS FOR THE YEAR - $6,119
NOTE:  Students need to be aware that tuition is subject to change.

TCAT Special Fees

Charged in Addition to Maintenance and Tuition

  • Credit by Examination Fee - The regular course fee is charged for each special examination and must be paid prior to taking the examination. Non-refundable. (See Academic Regulations.)
  • Credit for Life Experience Fees - Assessment Fee for Experiential Learning $45.00.  Experiential Learning Credit $15.00 per credit hour in excess of 3.0 credit hours. $90.00 maximum.
  • High School Equivalency Test (Hi-SET) - $75
  • Placement Test Fees - ACT - $45.00. (Refer to Admissions Policy.)

Books

  • McGraw Hill Text - Medical Assisting 7e edition
  • McGraw Hill Workbook - Medical Assisting 7e edition
  • McGraw Hill Connect Plus+

The above books are bundled at a price that includes: text, workbook and Connect Plus+ Code. You must have all three components (available at campus bookstore) ISBN 9781264244300  

The bundled cost approx: $296.00

  • Elsevier Exploring Medical Language 10th Edition w/online access - $160.00 - ISBN 9780323574112            
  • McGraw Hill Shanholtzer Integrated EHR 4e Text w/online access code - $139.75 - ISBN 9781260064650      
  • Basic Keyboarding and Formatting - $184.00 - ISBN 9781401811891

Please do not open books or attempt to register codes until the first day of class. The bookstore will not return opened bundled books or access codes. Keep your receipts! NOTE: The prices listed for textbooks are estimated costs.

Curriculum

First Semester

  • MO 104 Medical Typewriting & Keyboarding Skills 60
  • MO 106 Communications in Allied Health 60
  • MO 105 Professional Orientation 30
  • MO 102 Exam Room Technique I 120
  • MO 103 Medical Terminology 75
  • MO 101 Body Structure and Functioning I 105

Second Semester

  • MO 206 Medical Office Procedures 90
  • MO 202 Exam Room Techniques II 120
  • MO 203 Medical Calculations and Pharmacology 90
  • MO 207 Psychology 20
  • MO 201 Body Structure and Functioning II 105
  • MO 204 First Aid 20
  • MO 208 Nutrition 20
  • MO 205 Laboratory Procedures 45

Third Semester

  • MO 305 Laboratory Procedures 70
  • MO 301 Medical Externship 320