Medical Assisting (CERT)

Medical assistants are multi-skilled, with training in clerical/administrative procedures (front office) as well as clinical procedures (back office). They can work in large clinics as well as small medical offices. The duties of clinical medical assistants vary according to state laws. Common skills include taking medical histories and recording vital signs, explaining treatment procedures to patients, preparing patients for examinations, and assisting physicians during examinations. Medical assistants collect and prepare laboratory specimens and administer medications.

Administrative skills may include updating and filing patients’ medical records, filling out insurance forms, and arranging for hospital admissions and laboratory services. Medical assistants also perform tasks in medical settings, such as answering telephones, greeting patients, handling correspondence, and scheduling appointments.

This major provides students with mid-level administrative and clinical skills for a variety of healthcare settings. Students learn and demonstrate current outpatient laboratory collection procedures, assistance with office surgery, front office billing and insurance procedures, and basic computer/word processing skills.

All HP students prior to Spring 2017 upon returning to Ensign College must complete all required competencies by the MAERB (Medical Assisting Education Review Board) to graduate in the medical assisting program. 

Students who withdraw from the Medical Assisting program will be re-admitted to the program according to re-admission policies and procedures. The catalog for re-admission is valid for 4 years. A student must retake any previous courses after their catalog’s expiration. All competencies must be redone to meet the current healthcare trends and MAERB’s (Medical Assisting Education Review Board) protocols.

There are employment opportunities in insurance companies, outpatient medical offices, and HMO’s for well-trained certified medical assistants. Medical assistants from Ensign College are consistently offered jobs upon completion of their internships. Students may advance to supervisory positions.

This program is designed to enhance employability by developing industry-relevant skills and preparing students for applicable industry certifications; however, it is not designed or intended to lead to professional licensure in any state.