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Medical Assistant

Description

The Medical Assistant Program is designed to prepare students to be multi-skilled health care professionals specifically trained to perform in ambulatory settings, such as physician offices, clinics, and group practices, and perform administrative and clinical procedures.

The Medical Assistant Program offers a Level 1 Certificate and an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree. Students interested in this program must complete 7 credit hours of pre-requisites before applying for the program.

Level 1 Certificate - 32 credit hours

AAS - 60 credit hours

Program Goals

  1. Graduates will demonstrate entry-level MA office competencies.
  2. Graduates will uphold ethical and professional conduct, and follow rules and regulations mandated by federal, state, and local agencies.
  3. A.A.S. graduates will obtain certification as Medical Assistants and maintain national certification by participating in continuing education opportunities.

Program Outcomes

  1. Eighty-five percent of students will successfully pass the national certification exam.
  2. One hundred percent of the graduates will continue studies and or obtain employment within 12 months of passing the exam.

Student Outcomes

  1. Students will integrate effective communication in the practice setting by meeting expectations as indicated in the clinical evaluation survey.
  2. Students will be rated on the application of safe clinical and patient practices as good to excellent by clinical instructors.
  3. Students will be rated on their professional standards of practice as good to excellent by clinical instructors.
  4. Students will be rated on their administrative and technical skills as good to excellent by clinical instructors.

Clinical Education

The student is assigned to an ambulatory health care office or clinic to develop clinical skills under the supervision of assigned facility staff. The student must master technical standards that represent the essential requirements of a successful Medical Assistant. Applicants may be required to work with clients who only speak Spanish.

Application Process

  1. The student must be eligible for admission to Laredo College by completing all admission criteria as described in the LC catalog.
  2. Complete the application for the Medical Assistant Program via the application portal by May 31st fall admission consideration. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
  3. Transcripts must be included with the application and must show completion of all prerequisites with a "C" or better.

Admission Criteria

Students seeking admission to the Medical Assistant Program must:

  1. Meet Laredo College criteria as set forth in the college catalog.
  2. If pursuing an AAS degree, the student must be college- ready per Texas Success Initiative (TSI) requirement.
  3. Have an overall GPA and prerequisite GPA of 2.5 or greater.
  4. Have successfully completed the following prerequisite courses with a "C" or better prior to applying to the program:
  5. Submit a complete application packet through the online portal for fall admission by the deadline.  Applications are accepted March 1st through the last Thursday in May.
  6. Students are expected to be proficient in reading, writing, and speaking the English language.
  7. Be in good standing at Laredo College.

Students are responsible for verifying that all documents sent via email were received by our office. Submitting an application packet does NOT guarantee admission to the MA program.

Selection Process

  1. The MA admissions review committee will screen all applicants to assure that the applications meet the criteria as stated above in the "students seeking admission" section.
  2. Qualified applicants who meet the required GPA and completed all prerequisite courses as described in the "students seeking admission" section will be invited to complete an essay and skills assessment
  3. Admission into the MA program is based on achieving a minimum of 60% of total percentage points awarded from 100% based on the following:
    • Overall GPA 45%
    • Prerequisite GPA 30%
    • Skill 10%
    • Essay 15%
  4. Once all applicants have been evaluated, applicants will be ranked from highest percentage points earned from the GPA, prerequisite courses, skills and essay.
  5. Applicants will be notified through Laredo College's PasPort email address with program admission status by late June.
  6. A maximum of 20 students will be accepted. Due to program sized limitations, a number of applicants who meet the program admissions requirements may not be admitted to the program. Applicants should note that although the MA program has placement for up to 20 students, only those who meet the cut-off percentage points of 60% will be admitted each fall semester.
  7. Qualified applicants selected must attend a mandatory information session in July. Failure to attend and/or display unprofessional behavior during the mandatory information session disqualifies the candidate from moving forward in the application process. Plan now to attend.
  8. Students who are not selected must reapply the following spring and complete all admission criteria as described in the Program Admission Requirements and Selection Process.

Program Requirements

Once a student has been accepted to the program, the following prior to attending the first-class day:

  1. Physical examination by a U.S. physician or nurse practitioner of choice within 45 days prior to the first day of class.
  2. Proof of immunization including:
    • Complete the Hepatitis B (HBV), vaccine series prior to direct patient contact. Serologic confirmation of immunity to the hepatitis B virus is acceptable.
    • One dose of Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR). Students born on or after January 1, 1957, must show acceptable evidence of vaccination of two doses of measles-containing vaccine administered since January 1, 1968.
    • Two doses of varicella (chickenpox). Also acceptable:
    • Student received first dose prior to 13 years of age
    • Laboratory report indicating varicella immunity, or
    • Parent/physician validated history of varicella disease (chickenpox)
    • One dose of Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis (Tdap) vaccination (every ten years)
    • One dose of Bacterial Meningitis (or completed Exemption Form Meningitis Form)
    • Annual flu vaccine
  3. TB skin test (annual) or chest x-ray (every two years)
  4. American Heart Association BLS Health Care Provider CPR certification. Certification must remain current for the duration of the program.
  5. Negative criminal background check: Webb County Sheriff or Laredo Police Department
  6. Negative 10-Panel urine drug screen
  7. Purchase and maintain current student liability insurance. Fees are paid with registration on an annual basis
  8. Negative COVID-19 test(s)
  9. COVID-19 vaccine*

*Recommended:  Some clinical agencies may require the COVID-19 vaccine and/or negative COVID-19 test(s).  As guests in the facility, the programs must adhere to the agency's  requirements.  If a students chooses not to take the vaccine, an exemption waiver request may be submitted to the facility.  If denied, the student may not be able to complete the clinical requirements and may need to withdraw from the course.

The student will assume responsibility for the costs of the immunizations, criminal background check, drug screen, and medical services. All student applicants shall submit a negative background check (should have no criminal record) to be considered eligible for acceptance and continuation in MA program.

As changes in policy are received from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), these changes will be incorporated into the MA Program's requirements. The Laredo College Board of Trustees will be notified in a timely manner of changes in the immunization policy. It is the students' responsibility to provide documentation and to adhere to all of the above health requirements.

Progression in the MA Program

Students must maintain a grade of "C" or better to continue in the program. Additional program specific requirements may apply. Please refer to the MA Student Handbook

Withdrawal

A student considering withdrawal from an MA Program course should refer to the MA Student Handbook and make an appointment with the Program Director.

Attendance

The MA Program follows the LC attendance policy for academic/didactic courses. All clinical education courses require attendance in order to be in compliance with accrediting agencies. Please refer to the MA student handbook.

Dismissal

The student should refer to the dismissal policies listed in the MA Student Handbook.

For further information about the Medical Assistant Program contact the Program Director, Graciela Y. Gonzales by email at graciela.gonzales@laredo.edu or by calling (956)721-5261. The offices of the Allied Health Department are located on the 3rd floor of the College of Health Sciences building, room A305 and the offices for the Program Director and faculty for the Medical Assistant Program are located on the first floor of the College of Health Sciences building, rooms C113, C114, and C115 at Laredo College South Campus, 5500 Zapata Hwy, Laredo, Texas 78046.

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