Medical Assistant Technical Diploma

A graduate of this program will have the potential for employment in the following areas:

Medical Assistant: prepares a patient for examination or treatment, takes vital signs, performs simple lab tests, performs electrocardiograms, performs administrative functions, and assists the physician as needed within clinical procedures. Upon successful completion of the AAMA certification exam, Certified Medical Assistant status is obtained.

Medical Insurance Clerk: processes insurance claims on a computer.

EKG Technician: operates and maintains electrocardiographic machines, records the heart’s electrical activity, and provides data for diagnosis and treatment of heart ailments by physicians.

Medical Laboratory Assistant: performs simple laboratory procedures and venipunctures to collect blood specimens.

Medical Records Clerk: handles all patient medical records in areas such as progress notes and pulls records of patients on a daily basis.

Medical Office Assistant: performs a variety of duties related to bookkeeping, typing, filing, record keeping, customer relations, telephoning, general correspondence, appointments, and patient accounts.

Phlebotomist: obtains blood specimens by venipuncture and capillary puncture.

Receptionist: greets patients, schedules appointments, and answers telephone.

• Medical Laboratory Technician

• Medical Office Manager

• Medical Transcriptionist

• Graduates are eligible to take the CMA (AAMA) examination. See additional detail below.

• Generally, individuals who 1) have been found guilty of a felony, or pleaded guilty to a felony, or 2) had a professional license, registration, or certification denied, revoked, suspended, or subjected to probationary conditions by a regulatory authority or certification board are not eligible for the CMA (AAMA) Exam. However, the Certifying Board may grant a waiver based upon mitigating circumstances. If you wish to request that the Certifying Board permit you to take the test, you must submit a Request for Waiver form and written evidence that demonstrates your felony conviction or plea or professional misconduct should not prevent you from taking the CMA (AAMA) Exam.

• REQUIREMENTS FOR PROGRAM APPLICATION

• Completed application.

• High school transcript or equivalent. For a list of equivalents, go to www.nwtc.edu/gettingstarted.

• Admission Assessment or equivalent or ACT assessment taken within the last five years. For a list of equivalents, please contact an advisor at (920) 498-5444 or (888) 385-6982.

• Typing proficiency of 25-words per minute (mandatory preadmission typing test to be taken at NWTC Assessment Center).

• REQUIREMENTS FOR PROGRAM ENTRY

• To be admitted to this program, learners must achieve a prior cumulative high school or college grade point average of 2.6 or higher OR a satisfactory academic skills assessment score. College grade point average must be based on 15 credits or more. To learn more about starting this program, please contact an academic advisor at (920) 498-5444 or (888) 385-6982.

• Attend mandatory orientation.

• CLINICAL REQUIREMENTS

• The below requirements must be met prior to any clinical placement or experience in order to comply with affiliating agency policies. Additional information will be provided upon acceptance into the program.

• Submit required immunization documentation. A fee is charged for this service.

• Students will be required to show proof of an annual flu vaccine.

• Complete caregiver background check. A fee is charged for this service.

• Students are required to complete an American Heart Association BLS Provider course prior to clinical experiences. Students are required to maintain certification to comply with affiliating agency requirements.

• Complete an American Heart Association Heart Saver First Aid course.

• Perform medical office administrative functions.

• Provide patient care in accordance with regulations, policies, laws, and patient rights.

• Perform medical laboratory procedures.

• Demonstrate professionalism in a health care setting.

• Demonstrate safety and emergency practices in a health care setting.

The Medical Assistant program at NWTC is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org), upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB).

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs

25400 U.S. Highway 19 North, Suite 158

Clearwater, FL 33763

727/210-2350

www.caahep.org

Students will have on-the-job experience in area clinics during a five-week (minimum of 184 hours), unpaid, full-time practicum during the final semester of the program. Students will be required to purchase a uniform, provide their own transportation to assigned sites, and cover any other expenses related to clinical experiences. Students may be expected to travel distances, and participate in p.m. clinicals. Students may be required to complete drug testing by clinical agencies.

A part-time on-line and weekend track is available. This option is scheduled over a four-semester period, including one summer. For more information, contact an Academic Advisor at 920-498-5444 to schedule an appointment.

• Graduates are eligible to take the CMA (AAMA) examination. See additional detail below.

• Generally, individuals who 1) have been found guilty of a felony, or pleaded guilty to a felony, or 2) had a professional license, registration, or certification denied, revoked, suspended, or subjected to probationary conditions by a regulatory authority or certification board are not eligible for the CMA (AAMA) Exam. However, the Certifying Board may grant a waiver based upon mitigating circumstances. If you wish to request that the Certifying Board permit you to take the test, you must submit a Request for Waiver form and written evidence that demonstrates your felony conviction or plea or professional misconduct should not prevent you from taking the CMA (AAMA) Exam.

Graduates of the Medical Assistant Technical Diploma who achieve status of “Certified Medical Assistant” CMA (AAMA) or “Registered Medical Assistant” RMA and work at least 3,000 hours in a Medical Assistant role may apply for admission to the Medical Assistant to Practical Nursing bridge program. Refer to the information for the Practical Nursing program on this website for required General Studies courses.

NWTC is required to comply with the Wisconsin Caregiver Law (1997 WISCONSIN ACT 27). The completion of a caregiver background check includes the review of criminal records for convictions of serious crimes or a history of improper behavior. Students accepted into this program must complete a background check through www.castlebranch.com AND complete a Background Information Disclosure (BID) form disclosing any acts, crimes, or convictions prior to program entry. The information provided in the BID form must be truthful and match any findings on the criminal record check. Information regarding this process is provided to students immediately upon acceptance into the program. Students with a criminal history may be denied access to placement at the discretion of the clinical or practicum site. Consequently, should a student have a history of convictions of serious crimes or a history of improper behaviors, NWTC cannot guarantee clinical/practicum placement or guarantee graduation within typical program timing.