Medical Assistant, AAS
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
USD 328 / per credit
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Introduction
Medical Assistants are multi-skilled health professionals specifically educated to work as members of a healthcare team, performing a broad range of clinical and administrative tasks under the supervision of a physician, physician’s assistant, or nurse practitioner.
Program graduates assist healthcare professionals in many aspects of medical practice, including patient care management, and administrative, and clinical procedures. Students learn about the administrative duties of scheduling and receiving patients, preparing and maintaining medical records, performing basic secretarial skills and medical transcription, handling telephone calls, writing correspondence, serving as the liaison between the physician and other individuals, and managing practice finances. The clinical phase of the program is taught through intense training and hands-on application. Students learn to perform clinical duties, including asepsis and infection control, taking patient histories and vital signs, first aid and CPR, preparing patients for procedures, assisting the physician with examinations and treatments, collecting and processing specimens, performing selected diagnostic tests, administering injections, and preparing and administering medications as directed by the physician.
Degree Intent and Transfer Options
Upon completion, Workforce degrees and/or certificates are intended to give students the skills needed to move directly into employment. While these degrees are not intended to transfer to a university, students will be eligible to apply for admission to Skagit Valley College’s Bachelor of Applied Science - Management (BASM) degree or SVC’s Environmental Conservation, BAS (BAS-EC) and, in some cases, could transfer to other schools. If you are interested in continuing your education by entering a bachelor’s degree program, please work closely with your Academic Advisor and Department Chair.
Admissions
Curriculum
First Year
Foundation Courses: Quarter 1
- AHE 101 - Healthcare Interactions Credits: (3)
- CSS 103 - First Quarter Experience Credits: (2)
- or CSS 104 with a 3.0 GPA or better; or prior completion of a degree/certificate; or prior completion of 1 quarter/15 credits of college level course work with a 3.0 GPA or better.
- ENGL& 101 - English Composition I Credits: (5)
Students who do not receive an appropriate test score will require additional coursework to develop necessary skills for entry into class.
- OBT 162 - Microsoft Office Basics Credits: (3)
Total Credits: 13
Foundation Courses: Quarter 2
- AHE 102 - Basic Medical Terminology Credits: (5)
- AHE 103 - Law, Ethics, and Professionalism in Healthcare Credits: (5)
- AHE 118 - Drug Dosage Calculations Credits: (5)
Students who do not receive an appropriate test score will require additional coursework to develop necessary skills for entry into class.
Total Credits: 15
Foundation Courses: Quarter 3
- AHE 105 - Electronic Medical Documents and Administrative Procedures Credits: (6)
- AHE 106 - Anatomy & Physiology Credits: (6)
- or BIOL 241 and BIOL 242 with a minimum C grade.
- AHE 201 - Basic Life Support Credits: (1)
- AHE 202 - First Aid Credits: (1)
- AHE 203 - Mental Health First Aid Credits: (1)
Total Credits: 15
Second Year
Foundation Courses: Quarter 4
- AHE 110 - Introduction to Medical Coding and Insurance Credits: (5)
- AHE 112 - Basic Pharmacology Credits: (5)
- CMST& 210 - Interpersonal Communication: E Credits: (5)
- or CMST& 220 - Public Speaking Credits: (5)
Total Credits: 15
Winter Quarter - ENTRY ONLY - Core Courses
- AHE 107 - Clinical Non-Sterile Procedures Credits: (6)
- AHE 108 - Clinical Sterile Procedures Credits: (6)
- AHE 109 - Medical Disease & Pathology Credits: (4)
Total Credits: 16
Spring Quarter - Core Courses
- AHE 113 - Introduction to Phlebotomy Credits: (4)
- AHE 114 - Microbiology/Medical Lab Procedures Credits: (4)
- AHE 115 - Injection Therapy Credits: (4)
Total Credits: 12
Summer Quarter - Core Courses
- AHE 116 - Medical Assistant Clinical Practicum Credits: (6)
- AHE 117 - Medical Assistant Clinical Practicum Seminar Credits: (1)
Total Credits: 7
Program Tuition Fee
English Language Requirements
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