Program Overview
Medical Assisting - for Seniors Only
About the Program…
The Medical Assistant Program is a yearlong program structured to prepare the high school senior student for employment as a Registered Medical Assistant (RMA). The standards and curriculum are approved by the American Medical Technologists (AMT). Students will also earn Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (BLS) CPR certification through the American Heart Association (AHA).
Students in the program will be taught important hands-on skills which will allow them to deliver quality patient care in the medical office setting. Students will receive knowledge to be able to work the front end of a Medical Office, work hands-on with patients in the clinical setting and work the back end of the office process as well. The students receive a well-rounded “real-life view” of what to expect in clinic.
The instructor for the Medical Assistant Program is a veteran Phlebotomist, working primarily in a hospital setting. She is also an experienced Certified Medical Assistant, having worked with multiple medical office settings throughout her clinical career. Our instructor is also still active clinically, as to remain current in her own skill.
The Technology Center of DuPage Medical Assistant Program currently does not offer dual credit. Students are still held to a strict grade and attendance policy.
Upon completion of the Medical Assistant Program, receiving a 70% or higher, students will have to complete 160 hours in externship. Students are helped with securing their externship site. Students will need to provide their own transportation to and from their externship location. Externship generally starts late Spring into the summer, depending on site availability, academic progress and skills proficiency. Once the externship hours are complete, the student is able to sit for their licensure as a Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) through the American Medical Technologists (AMT).
This program is an excellent foundation for any student that is considering a career in healthcare. Students generally choose to continue their education, working towards numerous higher education opportunities in the health care field. Some of these examples are: Dental Hygienist, Registered Nurse, Occupational Therapist, Speech Therapist, Respiratory Therapist, Ultrasound Technician, Pre-Med, Nurse Practitioner, Sports Medicine, Radiology and other exciting health career options.
What will my classes be like?
Students enrolled in the Medical Assistant Program will attend classes at the Technology Center of DuPage as part of their high school daily schedule. This program has multiple levels of instruction. Students will have in-class lecture, support and discussion, hands-on skills practice and labs, online self-directed segments and online simulation labs.
Students will learn a variety of skills, ranging from; patient billing, patient data entry, insurance verification, basic vitals (blood pressure, temperature, pulse, respiration, height, weight), point-of-care testing, specimen collection, venipuncture, administering medication and vaccinations, patient education, proper patient charting, patient rooming procedures, HIIPA and more. Students will also learn about the different body systems, anatomy, medical terminology, disease, pathology, pharmacology, proper hand hygiene and personal protection equipment.
Students will be encouraged throughout the class to work on critical thinking when it comes to observing their patients’ signs, symptoms and triggers. Students will run through numerous scenarios in a “clinical” setting, exhibiting their critical thinking, while practicing their newly learned skills. Students are also continually encouraged to be able to focus on showing sympathy and empathy toward their patient at all times, not just in-office, as this is part of quality patient care.
Students will continually practice all skills throughout the year on their classmates, with instructor supervision. This preps them for fine tuning their skills and knowledge before the head out for externship.