Get the Skills to Become a Medical Assistant
18-Month* Medical Assistant Specialist Certificate Program in White Plains, NY
Medical Assistant Specialists play a vital role in any healthcare environment. Professionals in this field perform tasks that ensure quality patient care and assist other medical staff members with administrative and medical duties.
If you have a passion for helping others and are interested in pursuing a rewarding healthcare career, consider enrolling in CW’s Medical Assistant Specialist program.
The best way to see if the College of Westchester is the right fit for you is to attend an online or in-person information session. You’ll get a true feel for what it’s like to be a part of the CW community. Schedule an information session now or Get more info.
Becoming a Qualified Medical Assistant
The Medical Assistant Specialist program provides students with a foundation in both the administrative and clinical skills that Medical Assistants are expected to utilize in performing their basic job responsibilities. Credits are transferable to the associate degree program, Medical Assistant Management.
CW medical labs offer a controlled environment where students practice hands-on training in clinical skills, anatomy, and diagnostics. Students utilize advanced tools and technology to enhance practical learning and proficiency in medical procedures.
Is a Career as a Medical Assistant Specialist Right for You? Take the CW “Medical Assistant Specialist College and Career Readiness Quiz”
This fun, online quiz takes 3-minutes to complete and you’ll get a personalized report. Identify your strengths and social style plus the training and positions you’re best suited for. Get Your Online College and Career Readiness Score Now >>
Medical Assistant Courses
| Course No. | Course Title | Semester Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GEN115 | Digital Technologies in the Workplace » | 3 |
| The objective of this course is to familiarize students with digital technologies as they are being used in the workplace
today, and explore how emerging technologies are likely to continue to evolve. Students will be exposed to digital technology fundamentals to better position them to readily adopt common workplace technologies. Students will also learn about security concerns, ethical considerations, digital communications etiquette, and other important concepts related to the use of digital technologies.
Number: GEN115 Credits: 3.00 Type: General Education |
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| MED103 | Medical Terminology » | 3 |
| Students will be introduced to the foundation of medical terminology through a thorough study of the roots, prefixes, and suffixes which form medical language. Students will also learn the vocabulary used in various medical specialties. Spelling, definitions, and pronunciation are stressed.
Number: MED103 Credits: 3.00 Type: Health Professions |
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| MED111 | Healthcare Law and Ethics » | 3 |
| This course will introduce for discussion a variety of ethical issues that healthcare professionals may encounter during the course of their careers. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of ethical and professional behavior in the healthcare workplace. In depth discussions, textbook assignments and role playing will provide guidance to students in how to successfully manage patient relationships, protect patient privacy in compliance with the Health Insurance Privacy and Accountability Act as well as understand the distinct job responsibilities of the myriad of employees who comprise the typical healthcare organization. Students must receive a minimum grade of a “C” (70%) to continue. Students may receive a grade of D (60-69%) but will be required to repeat the course.
Number: MED111 Credits: 3.00 Type: Health Professions |
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| MED208 | Administrative Medical Practices » | 3 |
| This course will provide the groundwork for understanding the rules and responsibilities of allied health care providers in an administrative role. The course will cover topics such as electronic health records management, written and oral communication skills, understanding the complexity of the health insurance industry, scheduling and monitoring patient appointments, and the overall administrative duties that impact a health care facility.
Prerequisite: MED103 Students must receive a minimum grade of a “C” (70%) to continue. Students may receive a grade of D (60-69%) but will be required to repeat the course. Number: MED208 Credits: 3.00 Type: Health Professions |
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| MED110* | Human Biology » | 3 |
| This course introduces students to the basic concepts of human biology and chemistry in preparation for further study in the Allied Health Sciences. Biological concepts of cell theory, cell cycle, and cell reproduction will be explored and the major systems of the human body will be introduced. Chemistry concepts of atoms, molecules, and elements will be introduced along with biological molecules. Appropriate medical terminology will be introduced and utilized to accurately communicate in the biological and medical sciences. Emphasis is placed on body system components and function as it relates to human diseases. Students will take MED103 either as a co-requisite or prior to this course offering.
Number: MSC110 Credits: 3.00 Type: Health Professions |
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| MED126* | Anatomy and Physiology I » | 3 |
| MSC 126 is the first semester of a two-semester course in Human Anatomy and Physiology. Both MSC126 and MSC131 are designed to provide students with a thorough understanding of the basic principles inherent in the study of human anatomy and physiology, and is intended for students majoring in the allied-health professions. The emphasis of this course will be on understanding the structural and functional relationships of the major organ systems of the human body and will form the basis for subsequent courses in the clinical sciences. A special effort will be made to understand the concept of homeostasis and how the individual organ systems of the body interact with each other in the maintenance of the normal functioning of the entire organism. It includes the study of structure and function of cells, tissues, and the integumentary, skeletal, muscle, nervous, endocrine, and special senses.
Prerequisites: MED103, MSC110 or permission of the Chair Students must receive a minimum grade of a “C” (70%) to continue. Students may receive a grade of D (60-69%) but will be required to repeat the course. Cannot be taken concurrently with Anatomy and Physiology II (MSC131). Number: MSC126 Credits: 3.00 Type: Health Professions |
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| MED131 | Anatomy and Physiology II » | 3 |
| MSC 131 is the second semester of a two-semester course in Human Anatomy and Physiology. Both MSC 126 and MSC 131 are designed to provide students with a thorough understanding of the basic principles inherent in the study of human anatomy and physiology, and is intended for students majoring in the allied health professions. The emphasis of this course will be on understanding the structural and functional relationships of major organ systems of the human body and will form the basis for subsequent courses in the clinical sciences. An effort will be made to understand the concept of homeostasis and how the individual organ systems of the body interact with each other in the maintenance of the normal functioning of the entire organism. It includes the study of structure and function of cardiovascular, lymphatic, immune, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems.
Prerequisites: MED103, MSC110 or permission of the Chair Students must receive a minimum grade of a “C” (70%) to continue. Students may receive a grade of D (60-69%) but will be required to repeat the course. Cannot be taken concurrently with Anatomy and Physiology I (MSC126). Number: MSC131 Credits: 3.00 Type: Health Professions |
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| MED207 | Clinical Procedures/Clinical Asepsis » | 3 |
| This course is designed to give the medical assistant student knowledge and practice in skills required in a medical practice. Topics include managing the clinical environment, patient teaching, obtaining and documenting a medical history, obtaining vital signs, assisting with examinations, sterilizing equipment, and assisting with minor office surgery. MSC207 Clinical Procedures is a corequisite for MSC209 Hematology and MSC212 Clinical Diagnostic Applications for the Day College. In the Evening Division, if the above courses are not offered at the same time, then MSC207 must be first and will be a prerequisite.
Prerequisites: MSC126 and MSC131, or permission of Chair. Students must receive a minimum grade of “C” (70%) to continue on to MSC301 Practicum. Students are expected to pass the written portion of the final with a minimum score of 70% to be eligible to take the practical exam. Students may receive a D (60-69%) but will be required to repeat the course. Number: MSC207 Credits: 3.00 Type: Health Professions |
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| MED209 | Hematology/Phlebotomy » | 3 |
| The aim of the course is to expose the student to the most common phlebotomy skills required in most health care settings. Students will learn the sills involving the collection of blood specimens, the importance of correct patient identification, complete specimen labeling, proper handling, and storage. Students will be expected to know how to draw blood using an evacuator tube system, butterfly, and syringe. Students will also be expected to perform dermal punctures (finger stick) obtaining and analyzing the blood using a capillary collection tube. Students will learn how to perform non-complex laboratory blood analysis with various diagnostic equipment. This course is taught through didactic, student laboratory, and clinical experiences.
Prerequisites: MSC126, MSC131, and MSC207, or permission of Chair. Student must receive a minimum grade of “C” (70%) to continue on to MSC301 Practicum. Students are expected to pass the written portion of the final with a minimum score of 70% to be eligible to take the practical exam. Students may receive a grade of D (60-69%) but will be required to repeat the course. Number: MSC209 Credits: 3.00 Type: Health Professions |
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| MED212 | Medical Billing » | 3 |
| The aim of the course is to provide the laboratory experience for students to demonstrate clinical competencies applicable to all medical disciplines. Students will be able to demonstrate skill and competence in the following areas: Lab Equipment and Safety, Infection Control and Asepsis, EKG, Microbiology, Urinalysis and Pregnancy Testing, Fecal Occult Blood (Hemoccult) test, Vital Signs, Pain Assessment, Visual Screening, Hearing Examination, Surgical Instrumentation, Patient Examination and Preparation, Pulmonary Function Treatment and Testing, and Medical History.
Pre- or Co-requisite: MSC207 Prerequisites: MSC126 and MSC131. Students must receive a minimum grade of C (70%) to continue on to MSC301 Practicum. Students are expected to pass the written portion of the final with a minimum score of 70% to be eligible to take the practical exam. Students may receive a grade of D (60-69%) but will be required to repeat the course. Number: MSC212 Credits: 3.00 Type: Health Professions |
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| BUS122 | Integrated Business Applications » | 3 |
| In this course, students will examine the concepts and applications of Microsoft Word & PowerPoint. Students will use these technology tools to create business documents, marketing materials, and develop effective business presentations that will prepare them for today’s information based business environment.
Number: BUS122 Credits: 3.00 Type: Business Administration |
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| Total Credits | 36 | |
| Electives | ||
| Open Elective (1) | 3 | |
| Total Elective Credits | 3 | |
| *MSC110 & MSC126 courses also satisfy the General Education requirements. | 3 | |
| Note: Students who have not previously passed 3 college credits of English Composition or passed the English Proficiency Test are required to take English Composition I as an elective. | 3 | |
36 CREDITS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION
This certificate is currently offered for Evening Division students only.
Career Opportunities
Upon successful completion of your Medical Assistant classes, you will be qualified to seek entry-level employment as a Medical Assistant in a variety of healthcare settings, including:
- Medical Offices
- Clinics
- Hospitals
- Medical Labs
- Medical Research Facilities
- And more!
Is a Rewarding Career as a Medical Assistant Specialist Right For You? Get More Info…
If you’re interested in learning more about a career as a Medical Assistant Specialist and exploring whether The College of Westchester is right for you, fill out the form on this page to receive more information.
For immediate questions, call 1-833-768-2842.
*Program length when completed in normal time.