Medical Assisting

Professional/Technical Program Advisor
Jackie Landsem
360.383.3080 for appointment 

Medical Assisting Interim Program Coordinator
Ariane Hayes, CMA 
Cascade Hall, Room 133
360.383.3887

Special Notice 6/4/09
The Medical Assisting Program will be accepting students for the limited entry MA certificate/degree program FOR FALL QUARTER ONLY. 
There will no longer be a winter quarter start.  A larger number of students will be accepted for fall to help offset the increased demand this will create.  We apologize for any inconvenience or problems this may cause.

Information Sessions

Wednesday, October 7          2:00pm - 3:00pm       LDC 203
Wednesday, November 4       2:00pm - 3:00pm       LDC 203
Wednesday, December 2       2:00pm - 3:00pm       LDC 203

You are encouraged to attend one of the information sessions or contact one of the Professional/Technical advisors listed above for planning help.

Degree/Certificate Information [PDF Format]

Associate in Science Degree / Medical Assisting

Certificate / Medical Assisting

Certificate / Medical Billing & Coding

Certificate / Medical Front Office Reception

What is the Medical Assisting program?

AS and Certificate in Medical Assisting

The MA degree/certificate program is designed to train students to work as a member of a health care team, performing a broad range of clinical and administrative tasks under the supervision of a physician, physicians assistant or nurse practitioner.

The MA degree/certificate program is primarily a full-time course of study. The program takes 4 consecutive quarters starting each fall quarter.  Program space is limited and a special application process is required.

Students in the MA degree/certificate program take the same clinical training and administrative skill coursework. The difference in the MA degree and certificate is in the number of general education/related instruction courses that a student completes. Upon graduating from the MA degree or certificate program, students are eligible to take an exam to become Certified Medical Assistants.

Certificates: Medical Billing & Coding or Medical Front Office Reception

These certificates share a common core of professional medical and office courses, with the student completing some specialty courses and a job-specific cooperative work experience. Students train on industry-specific, state-of-the-art software that gives them the skills needed to succeed in a medical office as a receptionist, patient services specialist, or medical billing specialist. Many of the core courses can be applied toward the selective entry Medical Assisting program.

What is the IBEST MA Program?

I-BEST stands for Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training. An I-BEST program is one that takes people who are working on their basic educational skills (English and Math) and puts them in a technical program at the same time. What it looks like to you, as a student, is that they are two teachers in the classroom, and an extra support class to help you really understand the classroom information.

WCC's I-BEST program takes you through the courses for the Medical Front Office Reception or Medical Billing and Coding Certificates in 5-6 quarters. The certificates both have work experience built in, so you will get to actually work in a local medical office before graduating. Many of the credits in both of these certificates also transfer into the Medical Assisting Certificate or Degree. Students must have CASAS test scores in a certain range to qualify for the I-BEST program. The CASAS test can be taken on the Whatcom campus, call the ABE/ESL office at 360.383.3060 for more information.
If you think you are interested in this program or would like more information, please email your questions to or call and speak to one of the two I-BEST instructors, Jamie VanBeek at 360.383.3562.

What are the prerequisites to enter the MA Degree/Certificate program?

The following courses or competencies are required prior to entering the Medical Assisting Degree or Certificate Program:

• English - Complete ENGL& 101 (college composition) or equivalent. Transcripts are required.
• Math - Assess into Math 97, Elementary Algebra I (or higher) or have credit for Math 94, Basic Mathematics (or higher). Transcripts or assessment results are required.
• Math assessments are available by appointment. Call the Entry and Advising Center 360.383.3080 or the Testing Center 360.383.3050 to schedule an appointment.
• Computers - BIS 101 (or equivalent) is required. You may challenge the course or take it, but it must be on your transcripts. You should strive for a minimum of 25 wpm in word processing also.

* All prerequisite courses must be passed with a "C" or "S" grade, or better.

What are the prerequisites for the Medical Billing & Coding and Medical Front Office Reception Certificates?

• Be accepted as an IBEST student, or
• English - Assess into ENGL& 101 or equivalent or have credit for English 100 or ESLA 117, or equivalent. Transcripts or assessment results are required.
• Math - Assess into Math 97, Elementary Algebra I (or higher) or have credit for Math 94, Basic Mathematics (or higher). Transcripts or assessment results are required.
• English and Math assessments are available by appointment. Call the Entry and Advising Center 360.383.3050 or the Testing Center 360.383.3080 to schedule an appointment.
• Computer Experience - Have extensive Windows-based application experience. Students must have keyboarding and computer skills equivalent to OFFAD 100 and BIS 121. It is not necessary to have credit for these courses on a transcript. Students are asked to self-assess their computer skills using the above courses as guidelines.

* All prerequisite courses must be passed with a "C" or "S" grade, or better.

What are the program application requirements?

It is recommended that prospective students attend a Medical Assisting information session or make an advising appointment in the Entry/Advising Office in Laidlaw Center, Room 116, or call 360.383.3080. Information sessions are offered monthly during most of the year.

Step 1
Apply to WCC online.

If you are unable to apply online, request a WCC application by email at , by phone 360.383.3001 or in person at the Entry/Advising Office, LDC 116.

Step 2
Students interested in a Medical Assisting degree or certificate must also complete the Medical Assisting Selective Entry Application, available from the Registration/Records Office in Laidlaw Center, Room 102, or you may download the Selective Entry Application. Submit the completed form to the Selective Entry Coordinator in the Registration/Records Office along with transcripts and assessment score reports to document your prerequisite courses or assessment results.

There is no special application for students interested in the Medical Billing & Coding or Medical Front Office Reception Certificates. Please bring transcripts and/or assessment results to your advising/registration appointment.

How can the Pathways Program and Opportunity Grant Scholarship help you?

These programs assist and support students as they work toward a career in the healthcare industry. The Pathways Program offers free tutoring, study groups, workshops, mentoring, and advising. The Opportunity Grant Scholarship offers tuition assistance to eligible students. Please click here for a detailed explanation of eligibility, services, and contact information.

Background Check Information

Currently acceptance into the Medical Assisting Program does not require a background check, but this may change if background checks become required by clinical placements. Students going into the Medical Assisting Program should be aware that background checks may be needed for clinical placements and students will be required to complete a background check.

Accreditation

Whatcom Community College Medical Assisting Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB). CAAHEP,1361 Park Street, Clearwater, FL 727-210-2350, (727)210-2350.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do Medical Assistants do?
Medical Assistants are trained to do clinical procedures in the medical office environment, such as basic medical lab work, EKGs, cast removal, assisting at minor outpatient surgeries, and many other procedures. Medical Assistants are also trained for a wide variety of tasks requiring front office, administrative and customer service skills in an outpatient setting, such as reception, insurance billing and coding. Some Medical Assistants are hired to do only front office tasks, some positions are primarily clinical in nature, and some positions require both sets of skills.

What is the difference between a Medical Assistant and a Nurse?
The training and work of a Medical Assistant is focused on the outpatient medical office environment. In contrast, Nurses (LPN and RN) are primarily trained to work in an inpatient acute care or long-term care medical environment.

What can you do with a Medical Billing and Coding Certificate?
This specialty is designed to give you an introduction to the complex field of medical coding. Graduates will be ready for an entry-level job as a Medical Billing Specialist or Medical Coder.

What can you do with a Medical Front Office Certificate?
This specialty is based on the clerical and administrative roles of the Medical Assistant. Graduates may find employment as a Patient Services Coordinator, Medical Receptionist, or Medical Records Technician.

How is the selection made and how will I be notified?
Selective entry applications for the Medical Assisting degree and certificate are accepted on a first come, first served basis until the program seat limits are met. The applicant must demonstrate that all prerequisites will be completed prior to the beginning of the starting quarter.

The Medical Office Certificates are offered quarter to quarter and do not have any special selection process required for registration.

In early summer, accepted students will be sent a letter notifying them of their acceptance into the Medical Assisting Program and of the date and time for the required orientation session. Enrollment authorizations will be issued during the orientation session. It is important that the Registration/Records Office has your current address and telephone number so your letter can be delivered in a timely manner. You may update your contact information online at My Student Info O.A.S.I.S. if you know your SID and PIN or in person at the Registration/Records Office in Laidlaw Center, room 101.

If accepted, are there additional program requirements?
Students entering the Medical Assisting degree or certificate programs are required to show proof of childhood immunizations and must acquire additional immunizations such as the adult MMR and Hepatitis series and a current PPD test for tuberculosis. Immunization forms and additional information will be available at the orientation session prior to the start of the program.

What are the requirements during/after the course of study?
Within the Medical Assisting degree or certificate programs, courses must be taken in sequence as assigned in the program schedule. Any deviation must have the written approval of the program coordinator.

Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress in order to remain in the program. Please refer to the 2008-2010 WCC Catalog and the Medical Assisting Handbook for more information.

Occupational exposures - The Medical Assistant may be exposed to various chemicals used in disinfection and sterilization, laboratory testing reagents, biohazard waste and blood-borne pathogens, and communicable diseases. While in the Medical Assisting program, students may have similar occupational exposures. Safety issues and concerns when dealing with occupational exposures are a major focus within the Medical Assisting program curriculum.

Prior to externship, medical assisting students are required to obtain/maintain provider level CPR and First Aid certificates and the Seven-Hour HIV/AIDS Education Certificate. These certifications are not offered as part of the regular MA program and must be completed by the student on their own time.

Are there Tech-Prep credits that I can transfer from my high school for the Medical Assisting program?
If you are currently in high school, there are several courses that have articulated agreements between the high schools and WCC. Contact your high school counselor about Tech-Prep credits.

What is the job market like for Medical Assistants? What are the wages?
The employment outlook for this profession is expected to grow as fast as the average for all occupations in Washington State. Between 2004 and 2014, employment is projected to increase 20%. Nationally, Medical Assisting is expected to grow much faster than the average through 2014. Job prospects for this profession are very good.

The average starting wage in Whatcom County for Medical Assistants is between $12 and $13 per hour. Medical Assistants with 2 or more years of experience can earn an average wage of $15.58 per hour.