Apply to WCC

How to enter

The medical assisting core face-to-face program courses start each fall quarter; the hybrid (combination of online and face-to-face courses) program begins each spring quarter. There is an enrollment deadline prior to each program start. Late enrollments may be considered on a space-available basis.

Fall 2024 program

Application deadline:  July 15, 2024

Mandatory orientation: August 9, 2024 at 10am

Enrollment process

Admission to the medical assisting program is for qualifying students based upon a first come, first served priority basis and the number of seats available in the program. In addition, please note:

• All applicants can expect to receive notification of status of enrollment by letter within two weeks following the enrollment deadline.
• If you are not accepted, you must re-enroll the following year to be considered for program admission the following year. At this time, you will be expected to submit a new background check and pay the corresponding fee.
• Applicants may choose to appeal admissions decisions. All appeals will be directed to the dean for workforce education at WCC.

Please note: Entry or enrollment into the medical assisting program does not guarantee students a job placement, nor does it guarantee a practicum placement in Whatcom County. Practicum placements often require successful interviews and background checks. Also, due to increased competition for practicum placements in Washington state, Whatcom Community College cannot guarantee that student practicums will be in the last quarter of the medical assisting program classes.

Additional medical assisting program requirements

Students accepted into to the medical assisting program will need to show documentation that indicates they have begun the required immunization series (immunization records will also satisfy this requirement). The following are needed during the first quarter of the program:

• Hepatitis B series of three injections or two injections of HepliSav-B vaccine
• Measles, mumps & rubella (MMR) vaccination record (two doses) or titer that demonstrates immunity to each disease
• Tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination record within previous 10 years or Td booster with previous two years
• Varicella (chickenpox) vaccination record (two doses) or titer that demonstrates immunity
• Influenza vaccination record (must comply with requirement each year)
• Tuberculin skin test (PPD) or Quantiferon blood test (must provide documentation of test results each year); if a student has a positive PPD, student must obtain a chest x-ray and provide WCC with a written statement regarding the x-ray results

Required immunizations must be completed prior to clinical competencies performed in the lab portions of the medical assisting program, unless otherwise specified by the program coordinator.

The field of medical assisting also requires:

• a full range of body motion
• manual and finger dexterity and eye-hand coordination
• standing and walking for extensive periods of time
• occasionally lifting and carrying items weighing up to 100 pounds
• corrected vision and hearing to normal range
• working under stressful conditions or working irregular hours
• exposure to communicable diseases or bodily fluids
• frequent exposure to communicable diseases, toxic substances, medicinal preparations, and other conditions common to a clinic environment

Background checks and drug testing

Acceptance into the medical assisting degree or certificate program requires a Washington State Patrol background check to support clinical placements.

Students need to pay a $11 fee to the WCC business office to start the process and submit the receipt with their application. Results of the background check will be provided to the medical assisting faculty lead and all findings will remain confidential to WCC administration. Those students with a negative finding will be required to meet with the faculty lead prior to admittance to discuss possible options. Results of background checks for program applicants are considered valid for six months only.

Students should be aware that some organizations may require drug testing and/or a more extensive background check as a prerequisite to, or condition of, practicum placement. It is the student's responsibility to understand all requirements and the potential impact such requirements may have on their ability to be placed for practicums. These requirements may also be conditions for future employment of the student.

Application steps

You must complete the following steps by the medical assisting enrollment deadline for best consideration for program acceptance.