Medical Assistant
Medical Assistants (MA) are valued members of the clinical care team. MAs are often the first person to welcome a patient to the clinic, setting the stage for a comfortable, caring experience. The MA role is fast‐paced, interesting and guided by patient safety in every interaction.
Some of the duties of an MA include
- Obtain and record patient vital signs, temperature, pulse, height, weight, blood pressure and reason for visit
- Register and document in the patient’s electronic medical record
- Conduct hearing, vision, breathing and EKG testing
- Assist providers in procedures
- Perform injections, bladder scans and diabetic foot exams
- Provide an exceptional patient experience and care
Dartmouth Health WRI Medical Assistant trainees are enrolled in an 11-week intensive training program, which leads to national certification through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) exam and a credential of Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA). Upon successful completion, trainees begin work in the ambulatory clinic and are enrolled in a 2,000-hour Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship.
A total of 60 credits is required to earn the Associate of Health Science. Dartmouth Health WRI Medical Assistant trainees earn 25 credits through Colby-Sawyer for the MA training coursework, followed by 21 credits for elective courses taken during the student’s apprenticeship. The final 20 credits are derived from 8-week online Liberal Education courses taught by CSC. Please note: the additional credits students earn can be rolled into a Bachelor’s degree program.
| Medical Assistant Curriculum | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dartmouth Health Campus | ||
| ALH 101 | 3 cr. | Medical Terminology |
| ALH 102 | 3 cr. | Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology |
| ALH 103 | 3 cr. | Pathophysiology |
| ALH 105 | 2 cr. | Communication for the Healthcare Professional |
| ALH 106 | 3 cr. | Pharmacology |
| MA 101 | 4 cr. | Clinical Medical Assistant Practices |
| MA 101L | 4 cr. | Clinical Medical Assistant Practices Lab |
| MA 201 | 3 cr. | Clinical Medical Assistant Practicum |
| CSC 201 | 3 cr. | Introduction to Registered Apprenticeship (elective) |
| CSC 301 | 6 cr. | Registered Apprenticeship I (elective) |
| CSC 302 | 6 cr. | Registered Apprenticeship II (elective) |
| CSC 303 | 6 cr. | Registered Apprenticeship III (elective) |
| CSC Online Campus | ||
| WRT 101 | 4 cr. | Introduction to Academic Writing |
| Math Proficiency | 4 cr. | MAT 206 or MAT 220 |
| Lib Ed | 4 cr. | One course from one core area: Social Science Fine and Performing Arts History Literature |
| IE 300 | 4 cr. | Integrative Experience |
| PHI 305 | 4 cr. | Biomedical Ethics |