Medical Assisting

The Medical Assistant program at the Davis Catalyst Center will prepare students for a qualified position as a Medical Assistant in a clinical setting.  Students will receive comprehensive training in medical office procedures including administrative tasks and clinical skills.  Students will have the opportunity to participate in a clinical externship following successful completion of course work.  The Medical Assistant program is two-semesters, and will count toward 2 CTE credits. Graduates of the program will be eligible to take the Registered Medical Assistant Certification exam.

What do Medical Assistants do? 
Medical assistants play an important role in the daily operations of health care facilities.  Medical assistants are responsible for a variety of responsibilities including the following:

  • Obtaining patient vital signs
  • Taking measurements
  • Administering oral and parenteral medications
  • Performing wound care
  • Assisting during procedures
  • Labeling and processing specimens
  • Preparing for, performing, and monitoring EKG
  • Drawing Blood
  • Managing medical records
  • Processing Health Insurance

Co-requisites/Pre-requisites and Requirements:

Medical Anatomy and Physiology: Completion of MAP with a C grade or better prior to starting the Medical Assistant Program is preferred, however; Students may be enrolled in MAP and the Medical Assistant program concurrently. Students must maintain a C grade or better in MAP if taking the course concurrently to remain eligible for an externship.

GPA: Students must have a cumulative GPA needs to be a 2.5 or higher. 
 

Externship:
Externships will consist of 160 hours that are required to be completed by the end of the program regardless of their start date. Students should plan on averaging around 16-20 hours per week. 

  • Externship hours may only be completed during the last 11 weeks of class.  
  • Students will use their MA class period to obtain hours.
  • Students will schedule hours outside of their MA class period.
  • Additional hours can be completed during a Catalyst Externship or outside of school hours.

*Please note that most clinics are only open from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday – Friday.

Students who do not complete 160 hours of externship will not receive a certificate of completion for the course and will not be eligible to sit for the RMA exam.

Requirements to start an externship:

  1. Students must not have any missing assignments.
  2. Students must have all paperwork submitted on time.
  3. Students must meet requirements set forth by our partner clinics.
  4. Students must pass off all competencies with confidence and correctness.
  5. Students must make up all absences prior to externship.
  6. Students must have a B- or higher in Medical Assisting.
  7. Students must successfully pass the Medical Office Benchmark exam and the Clinical Procedures exam.

Requirements to receive a Certificate of Completion from the Davis Catalyst MA program.

  1. Successfully pass the MA program with a C grade or higher.
  2. Pass all four benchmark exams.
  3. Successfully pass off all competencies.
  4. Complete MAP/Med term at home high school with a C or better all four terms.
  5. Complete 160 externship hours by graduation (extenuating circumstances may qualify for an extension into the summer)
  6. Complete an exit interview with an instructor by graduation.


Course fees:

  • $120.00 blood pressure kit, medical supplies for hands on practice (a full list of supplies will be available upon request after the first week of school), CPR card.
  • $50.00 paid directly to Dubs Scrubs: Two royal blue scrub tops (yours to keep).

Other Expenses: These are expenses that are not covered under a fee waiver and will be paid to outside institutions.  These fees are not mandatory to obtain a passing grade; however, they will be required for any student who would like to participate in an externship.

  • $51.00 Background Check and drug screening.
  • $135.00 RMA exam. This will be paid after graduation when the student is ready to take their test.
  • Vaccinations, bloodwork, or other fees required by our partners. 
     

When to Start:

Seniors who have taken or are currently enrolled in the MAP course will start in Fall during first semester and will finished the program at the end of their senior year.  

Juniors who are currently enrolled in MAP may apply to start the Medical Assisting program spring semester of their junior year (This application opens October 1).  These students will begin during spring semester and complete their course work during the fall semester of their senior year.

The Davis Catalyst Medical Assisting program is affiliated with the American Medical Technologists (AMT). Student’s who pass the course and participate in an externship will be eligible to sit for the RMA (registered medical assistant) exam.

American Medical Technologists AMT