This program is a Selective Program. Application requirements are included in the description below.
Medical Assistant Technology
Certificate and Associate of Applied Science
Medical assistants are multi-skilled health care professionals with a strong background in basic patient care and assessment; medical laboratory procedures including performing routine blood and urine analysis; appropriate emergency medical care procedures; problem-solving skills; effective teamwork, oral and written communication skills; and proper medical office administrative procedures for managing medical records, medical transcription and medical insurance billing. As part of the degree plan, students will complete an internship enabling them to gain real medical office experience.
South Texas College has been approved to serve as a proctoring site for students seeking certification by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT).
Upon successful completion of the coursework students are eligible to participate in any of the national examinations offered by NCCT for multiple credentials including the National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA), National Certified Medical Office Assistant (NCMOA), Nationally Certified Phlebotomy Technician (NCPT), and the National Certified ECG Technician (NCET).
Application Requirements
All applicants must:
- Participate in the required Prospective Student Information Session at the Nursing and Allied Health Campus. For the session schedule, access the information on the Medical Assistant Technology Program website online at https://nah.southtexascollege.edu/mat/.
- Be admitted to the college as a high school graduate or GED equivalent, except for dual credit students.
- AAS Degree Option: Meet TSI College Readiness Standards, or meet TSI exemption standards.
- Level 2 Certificate Option: Meet TSI College Readiness Standards, or meet TSI exemption standards.
- Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for all courses completed at STC.
- Pass a criminal background check, 10-panel drug screen through approved providers, and complete all required immunizations including Hepatitis B series. For more information on these requirements, access the Clinical Affairs website: https://nah.southtexascollege.edu/clinical_affairs.html.
- Meet the NAH Functional Abilities Standards available on the NAH Clinical Affairs website at https://nah.southtexascollege.edu/clinical_affairs.html.
- Submit a completed program application by the stated deadline. For more information, access the website at https://nah.southtexascollege.edu/mat/.
Program Application
Program applications are available from Medical Assistant Technology advisor and will be discussed and completed during advisement prior to registration. To make an advising appointment, visit the Division of Nursing and Allied Health website at https://nah.southtexascollege.edu.
NOTE: Please see program web page for additional information regarding the application process at https://nah.southtexascollege.edu/mat/.
Graduation Requirements
To earn a Certificate or Associate of Applied Science Degree in Medical Assistant Technology, a student must meet all college graduation requirements and complete all coursework as prescribed in the degree plan with a minimum grade of “C”.
Medical Office Specialist
Certificate
The Medical Office Specialist is a health care worker with medical office administrative skills for managing the front office, medical records and medical insurance billing. As part of the degree plan, students will complete an internship enabling them to gain real medical front office experience.
Program Learning Outcomes
Medical Assistant Technology Certificate
1. Correctly obtain patient history and review of systems during the office visit for the completion of the patient registration process.
2. Demonstrate correct procedures for collecting vital signs and specimens.
3. Demonstrate competence in the performance of medical assisting skills.
4. Demonstrate correct use of Electronic Medical Records software for documenting patient clinical data.
5. Correctly calculate medication dosages for patients based on weight and medication availability.
6. Interpret and effectively communicate physician's instructions to the patient during the final exit of the clinic.
Medical Office Specialist Certificate
1. Correctly obtain patient data during the office visit for the completion of the patient registration process.
2. Apply mathematical skills to calculate reimbursement procedures.
3. Demonstrate correct use of medical front office equipment.
4. Demonstrate correct use of Medisoft software for documenting patient data.
5. Interpret and effectively communicate the physician's plan to the patient during the final exit of the clinic.
Medical Assistant Technology Associate of Applied Science
1. Correctly obtain patient data, history, and review of systems during the office visit for the completion of the patient registration process.
2. Demonstrate correct use of medical front office equipment.
3. Apply mathematical skills to calculate reimbursement procedures.
4. Demonstrate correct procedures for collecting vital signs and specimens.
5. Demonstrate competence in the performance of medical assisting skills.
6. Demonstrate correct use of Medisoft and Electronic Medical Records software for documenting patient data.
7. Interpret and effectively communicate physician's plan and instructions to the patient during the final exit of the clinic.
Advisory Committee Members
Olga Gabriel, MPH, (Retired) Director McAllen Campus, Health Science Center, Texas A & M University, McAllen
Martin Garza, MD, DLC Pediatric Center, Edinburg
Martha Leos, Education Supervisor, Access Esperanza Clinics, McAllen
Delia Martinez, Clinic Administrator, Samuel Garcia, Jr., MD, McAllen
Nereyda Fiala, MA, Samuel Garcia, Jr., MD, McAllen
Debra Franco, South Texas Juvenile Diabetes Association
Rose Lucio, Director Texas A&M Health Science Center, McAllen
Faviola Sanchez, Bravo Pediatric and Adult Clinic, Mission
Medical Assistant Technology Certificate
TSI LIABLE
Plan of Study Grid
First Year |
Fall |
HITT 1305 |
Medical Terminology I |
3 |
MDCA 1321 |
Administrative Procedures |
3 |
MDCA 1343 |
Medical Insurance |
3 |
POFM 1400 |
Basic Medical Coding |
4 |
MDCA 1205 |
Medical Law and Ethics |
2 |
MDCA 1166 |
Practicum I |
1 |
| Credit Hours | 16 |
Spring |
MDCA 1309
|
Anatomy & Physiology for Medical Assistants
or Anatomy and Physiology for Allied Health |
3 |
MDCA 1352 |
Medical Assistant Laboratory Procedures |
3 |
PLAB 1223 |
Phlebotomy for Medical Assistants |
2 |
MDCA 1317 |
Procedures in a Clinical Setting |
3 |
PSYC 2301
|
General Psychology
or Lifespan Growth and Development |
3 |
| Credit Hours | 14 |
Second Year |
Fall |
ECRD 1111 |
Electrocardiography |
1 |
MDCA 1348 |
Pharmacology and Administration of Medications |
3 |
|
3 |
|
Introduction to Speech Communication |
|
|
Public Speaking |
|
|
Interpersonal Communications |
|
|
Business and Professional Communication |
|
MDCA 1154 |
Medical Assisting Credentialing Exam Review |
1 |
MDCA 1302 |
Human Disease/Pathophysiology |
3 |
MDCA 1167 |
Practicum II |
1 |
| Credit Hours | 12 |
| Total Credit Hours | 42 |
Medical Office Specialist Certificate
Gainful Employment (https://www.southtexascollege.edu/ge/Medical-Office-Specialist/index.html)
TSI EXEMPT
Medical Assistant Technology Associate of Applied Science
TSI LIABLE
Plan of Study Grid
First Year |
Fall |
HITT 1305 |
Medical Terminology I |
3 |
MDCA 1321 |
Administrative Procedures |
3 |
MDCA 1343 |
Medical Insurance |
3 |
POFM 1400 |
Basic Medical Coding |
4 |
MDCA 1205 |
Medical Law and Ethics |
2 |
MDCA 1166 |
Practicum I |
1 |
| Credit Hours | 16 |
Spring |
MDCA 1309
|
Anatomy & Physiology for Medical Assistants
or Anatomy and Physiology for Allied Health |
3 |
MDCA 1352 |
Medical Assistant Laboratory Procedures |
3 |
PLAB 1223 |
Phlebotomy for Medical Assistants |
2 |
MDCA 1317 |
Procedures in a Clinical Setting |
3 |
PSYC 2301
|
General Psychology
or Lifespan Growth and Development |
3 |
| Credit Hours | 14 |
Summer |
1 |
3-4 |
|
|
|
Anatomy and Physiology I |
|
|
Anatomy and Physiology II |
|
|
College Algebra |
|
|
Contemporary Mathematics |
|
| Credit Hours | 3-4 |
Second Year |
Fall |
ECRD 1111 |
Electrocardiography |
1 |
MDCA 1348 |
Pharmacology and Administration of Medications |
3 |
1 |
3 |
|
Introduction to Speech Communication |
|
|
Public Speaking |
|
|
Interpersonal Communications |
|
|
Business and Professional Communication |
|
MDCA 1154 |
Medical Assisting Credentialing Exam Review |
1 |
MDCA 1302 |
Human Disease/Pathophysiology |
3 |
MDCA 1167 |
Practicum II |
1 |
| Credit Hours | 12 |
Spring |
1 |
3 |
ENGL 1301 |
Composition I 1 |
3 |
SPAN 1411 |
Beginning Spanish I for Non-Spanish Speakers |
4 |
POFM 2310 |
Intermediate Medical Coding |
3 |
MDCA 2266 |
CAPSTONE: Practicum III |
2 |
| Credit Hours | 15 |
| Total Credit Hours | 60-61 |