Medical Assistant Certificate

Program Description

Board-approved Certificate

On the Canton campus, Massasoit offers training in Medical Assisting, a nine-month (full-time day) Certificate Program. The program curriculum is based on the 2022 American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and the Medical Assisting Education Review Board, (MAERB) guidelines. As a graduate of this program, you will be eligible to become a nationally certified medical assistant by passing a national certification examination. National certification is not a requirement for entry level employment, yet it is sort after by employers. The Medical Assistant Program is a college accredited program through NECHE, The New England Commission of Higher Education.

Medical assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks. Duties vary with type of practice and include greeting patients, demonstrating effective communication skills in a professional manner, telephone interaction, scheduling appointments, utilizing Electronic Health Records, and Practice Management Software programs.

Clinical duties include obtaining medical histories, recording vital signs, preparing patients for examinations (pediatrics to gerontology), performing EKG’s, sterilization of instruments, collecting and identifying specimens, routine urinalysis, fecal analysis, clinical bacteriology, and phlebotomy. Medical Assistants who work for specialists will have additional duties.

A seven-week/245-hour clinical practicum in a Health Maintenance Organization/Health Care Facility is required for graduation.

Admission Requirements

1. Submit an application form to the Admissions Office. The Priority Application deadline is April 30. Applications received after this date will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
2. Submit documentation of high school graduation, GED / HiSET, or other state approved equivalency credential (transcript or diploma). All foreign high school transcripts must be evaluated.
3. Applicants must attend a Medical Assistant program information session, which includes an overview of the program with the program director and the associate director of admissions. Register for a medical information session online, or call 508-588-9100 x2114.
4. Complete required college placement tests in reading, writing, and mathematics. Schedule a testing appointment.

Career Opportunities

Graduates are in high demand in outpatient facilities, clinics, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities; working in all medical specialties. Annual job placement rates for graduates has been 90-100%. Although national credentialing is not a requirement for employment in the State of Massachusetts, graduates are strongly encouraged to seek a national credential through the NHA, AMT or AAMA. Graduates will be advised regarding national exam options. Recertification standards vary based on the national organization and graduates are responsible for maintaining their national credential.

Employment opportunities in this field are projected to grow 16 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.