Medical Assistant
Specialized Diploma

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Why This Program

Seek new opportunities to serve others with a Medical Assistant Specialized Diploma from Northampton Community College. This program, designed specifically to meet the needs of local medical offices, is available at our Fowler Southside Center and Pocono campuses in PA. You graduate qualified to work as a clinical medical assistant with physicians in many different capacities.

 

After you complete our medical assistant program, you are ready to take the Registered Medical Assistant certification exam through American Medical Technologists (RMA-AMT) to become RMA certified.

 

The Medical Assistant Specialized Degree is a fall-start clinical program. The application opens on October 1 and must be completed by May 1.

 

One Year Program Completion

Finish the fast-paced Medical Assistant Specialized Diploma in just one calendar year of full-time study—including your final externship—to launch your career as soon as possible. You can also study part-time on a more flexible schedule in order to balance your learning with your job, family, and personal responsibilities.

 

Job-ready with Clinical Experience

In your final semester, you complete a medical assistant externship in a doctor’s office, clinic, or hospital setting. You build on the theory and techniques you’ve learned in the classroom, gaining practice with diagnostic procedures and more competencies you’ll need in the workplace.

 

What You’ll Learn

Lay the groundwork for your professional path with basic theory and skills in medical terminology and techniques, then advance to study more challenging procedures and medical office practices.

 

Coursework covers topics such as the fundamentals of healthcare reimbursement. By the time you graduate, you confidently know how to execute history taking, vital sign measurement, documenting on the patient record, medication administration, phlebotomy, and EKGs.

 

The Medical Assistant Specialized Degree is a fall-start clinical program. The application opens on October 1 and must be completed by May 1.

 

This is a selective program, please carefully review all provided information and requirements.

 

Admission Requirements



Program Details

Semesters: 3

Credits: 37

College Catalog: View Curriculum

Program Map: Download PDF

Locations: Bethlehem | Pocono

Program Overview:

Cultivate versatile skills in both administrative and clinical tasks in the Medical Assistant Specialized Diploma. We designed this program alongside physicians who are looking to employ workers with both office and clinical skills—meaning graduates of this program are highly sought after in local healthcare offices. Learn in classrooms, labs, and hands-on in a physician practice externship.

 

HCOA154 Medical Terminology
MDAS101 Medical Assistant Techniques I
MDAS102 Pharmacology for Medical Assistants
MDAS105 Medical Assistant Techniques II
HCOA172 Health Insurance Basics
HCOA175 ICD-10-CM/PCS Coding Methodologies
HCOA176 CPT Coding Methodology
HCOA240 Medical Office Management Practices
MDAS201 Medical Assistant Externship

Please review the program catalog for the full list of courses.

Transform your Medical Assistant Specialized Diploma into a more administration-focused credential by applying your credits from the SD to one of our three Healthcare Office Administration programs. The SD, Certificate, and AAS in the medical office administration program help you advance in more clerical and management roles.

If you are a Northampton Community College student living outside of Pennsylvania or intending to complete an internship or clinical placement outside of the state in a NCC program leading to professional licensure, you should review requirements on the state board website to make sure that the program qualifies.

 

Licensure requirements vary from state-to-state and you may require additional authorization from the professional licensing agency in that state. Participating in a program from outside of Pennsylvania, if not properly authorized by that state's professional licensing board, could result in loss of licensing eligibility. If you need help or have questions, please contact the Program Director for more information.



Tuition and Financial Aid

Take advantage of one of the most affordable medical assistant programs in Pennsylvania. NCC’s low tuition and fees keep education accessible and rewarding, with high employment rates and abundant post-graduation success stories. We also invest back into your learning: our scholarship program is one of the largest among Pennsylvania’s community colleges.



Medical Assistant Career Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities in this field are expected to grow by 14% from 2022 to 2032, which is much faster than most other occupations.

As a medical assistant, you perform both clerical and clinical duties in healthcare facilities like private practice offices, general hospitals, outpatient care facilities, and surgical centers. NCC’s medical assistant training prepares you to work in the offices of physicians, dentists, and podiatrists, as well as in medical clinics, with chiropractors, as part of an ambulatory surgical unit, and in various hospital departments.

Your specific duties vary based on your position and location. Typical administrative tasks include answering phones, filing insurance claims, and scheduling appointments, while clinical responsibilities can involve taking patients’ vital signs, collecting and discarding laboratory specimens, and assisting physicians during exams.

 

Future Career Paths

  • Medical Assistant
  • Medical Field

Need Help Deciding?

Not sure if this is the right program for you? Take advantage of the resources we have available for students to help hone in on what path to pursue.


Connect with an Academic Advisor Contact a Career Counselor

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Next Steps

With 120+ high-quality programs at a highly affordable cost, you can build specialized skills to advance in your career path — fast. And with flexible class formats and convenient locations, it's never been easier to join us.