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Medical assisting at Whatcom

Whatcom's medical assisting program offers two options for aspiring medical assistants: an associate of applied science (AAS) degree and a certificate.

Medical assisting, associate of applied science (AAS) (90 credits)
Medical assisting, certificate (66 credits)

You may complete the program fully in-person (daytime instruction and labs on campus, program starting each fall quarter) or hybrid (blending of online instruction and in-person Tuesday and Thursday evening labs, program starting each spring quarter).

Click here to see the quarter-by-quarter sequence of classes for each pathway.

Upon graduating from the medical assisting program, you are eligible to take an exam to become a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA).

Meeting current and emerging standards

Whatcom’s medical assisting program is frequently reviewed by faculty and the program’s advisory committee (composed of physicians, employers of medical assistants, and currently practicing medical assistants) to ensure the program curriculum and outcomes are aligned to state and industry standards of practice.

Program innovations in recent years include:

• Alignment with new Washington state laws for medical assisting credentials and scope of practice
• Health information technology infused throughout curriculum to prepare students to use electronic health/medical records while securely maintaining patient information
• Development and implementation of a series of simulation scenarios to help students acquire and/or reinforce the professionalism skills that employers and patients expect and value

Medical assisting certificate and graduate outcomes

The five-year average of the national exam passage rate for the years 2018 - 2022 is 88.3%.
The graduate satisfaction rate was 93% and employer satisfaction rate was 97% from 2018 - 2022.

Accreditation

Whatcom Community College's medical assisting certificate program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB). Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, 9355 113th St  N,  #7709, Seminole, FL  33775, (727) 210-2350 (caahep.org)

There are six states (AZ, MA, NJ, ND, SD, and WA) that require completion of formal medical assisting education as a prerequisite for working as a medical assistant or to be delegated certain tasks while working as a medical assistant. All CAAHEP-accredited medical assisting programs meet the education requirements in these six states.

Occupational risks

Medical Assisting is a profession with many rewards, as practitioners can perform both administrative and clinical services, filling several roles in a variety of healthcare environments. The Bureau of Labor Statistics clearly outlines that it is a growth field, with an anticipated 18% growth from 2020 to 2030.

Medical Assistants work directly with providers and patients, with the goal of providing healthcare and ensuring patient safety.  It is a position with a great deal of responsibility.

As with any healthcare position, there are certain occupational risks that come into play with being a medical assistant, and those hazards include the following:

• Exposure to infectious diseases
• Sharps injuries
• Bloodborne pathogens and biological hazards
• Chemical and drug exposure
• Ergonomic hazards from lifting, sitting, and repetitive tasks
• Latex allergies
• Stress

At the same time, there are protections set up with the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), and those protections are particularly important within a healthcare environment.  OSHA has a series of standards that protect the safety of healthcare workers and patients

Costs

The costs for Washington state residents average approximately $2,050 per quarter for the core medical assisting program, including tuition, books, fees*, and supplies.

*Fees include $75 per lab course (MA 151, MA 152, MA 153, MA 154, MA 156, MA 200) to support medical supplies used in labs, first aid and CPR certification, HIV/AIDS certification, medical assisting certification exam study guide, student name badge, etc.

More details can be found at Career Bridge:

AAS degree – medical assisting
Certificate – medical assisting

As costs and information can and will change. Be sure to contact an advisor for the most current information for planning the funding of your education.