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Walla Walla Community College

WHY CHOOSE WWCC FOR MEDICAL ASSISTING?

Medical assistants are key team members in doctor’s offices, hospitals, clinics and labs. They provide an extra set of hands in patient exams. They work behind the scenes to bill insurance and keep records up to date. And they are often the first person patients greet when they call or walk in. If you’re looking at healthcare careers, medical assisting is a fast way to get a foot in the door. In our program, you’ll learn a useful mix of office and medical skills. Plus, you’ll get real-world experience in a local doctor’s office or clinic.

Careers in Medical Assisting

Helping Hands in Doctor’s Offices

Medical assistants are in high demand. It’s a booming career path with lots of opportunities. Medical assistants are great with people. And they do a mix of admin and clinical tasks. Sometimes you’ll answer phones, schedule visits and update medical records. Other times you might take vital signs, help doctors with exams, give shots or teach patients about their care. Plus, if you’re trying to decide whether to become a nurse down the road, it’s a good way to try out the healthcare field.

Certificates & Degrees in Medical Assisting

A career as a medical assistant is within your reach — and faster than you might think. You can earn your certificate and be in the job market in just a year. If you like learning about health, math, and science, you’ll enjoy every minute of this program.

Medical Assisting Program Details

Medical Assisting Application and Handbook

The Medical Assisting Program prepares students for a career as a medical assistant. The Medical Assisting program is completed in four quarters of full-time study.

Entrance Requirements

Prior to entering the program, students must have a high school diploma or GED, math placement score of Recommend AMATH 105 or higher, or college coursework demonstrating classes successfully completed with a C or higher. National Criminal Background Screening, Tuberculosis screening and immunizations are required to enter workplace settings where clinical rotations occur.

Program Outcomes

  • Apply the fundamental knowledge base acquired in medical assisting courses to safely, efficiently, and accurately perform clinical and administrative competencies.
  • Use knowledge gained in interrelationship and social science courses to assist in being able to communicate with patients and other members of their healthcare team with sensitivity to cultural, legal and ethical implications.
  • Integrate knowledge gained in medical assisting courses to prepare for and assist with medical emergencies.
  • Use technology skills, including computer hardware and software, in the performance of clinical and administrative competencies.
  • Employ appropriate medical terminology to communicate professionally and accurately in the clinic setting, both verbally and in their documentation.
  • Demonstrate professionalism relative to the practice of medical assisting on a personal, institutional, local, state, and national level.
  • Enter the profession as entry-level medical assistants competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) domains.

Students must earn a C/2.0 GPA in each course in order to be awarded the certificate in Medical Assisting.

Scholarship Opportunities

At WWCC, we’ll help you find scholarships that may be open to you. Scholarships provide money for school that you don’t have to pay back. They can be used for things like tuition, books, tools and fees. They come from sources like the WWCC Foundation, local businesses and private funds. Some

WWCC programs also have scholarships for students working toward a certain certificate or degree. You might qualify based on good grades, financial need or the potential to benefit from school. The bottom line: You have options. We’ll help you explore them at WWCC.

Paying for Your Degree

There are lots of ways to pay for college. We will work with you to find the right mix of support so that you can go after your dreams. Talk with us to learn more about:

  • Work study — work part-time on campus while you earn your degree.
  • Emergency funds — for students who are struggling to make ends meet.

You can go to college. Start exploring your options today.

WWCC By the Numbers

1,953

Students at WWCC

63%

Attend Full Time

52%

Receiving Financial Aid

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