Medical Assistant
HCC's medical assistant certificate program prepares students to work in clinics, hospitals, health maintenance organizations, insurance companies, and physician's offices.
Our medical assistant program combines clinical as well as clerical courses that will enable students to assist in varied healthcare agencies. Excellent instructors teach students to perform health office phlebotomy and EKGs, check vital signs, administer injections, assist physicians with minor surgery and routine patient exams, and perform administrative duties.
Please note: A daytime clinical externship is mandatory.
contact
Application questions? Please email: admissions@hcc.edu.
Advising questions? Please email: advisingcenter@hcc.edu
Program-specific questions? Please email wtatro@hcc.edu
certificate program
The medical assistant certificate program prepares students for employment in clinics, hospitals, health maintenance organizations, insurance companies, and physician’s offices. The American Medical Technologists organization will certify students upon successful completion of the certification exam.
Pre-requisites
- High school graduate or GED/HiSET
- Eligible for ENG 101
Steps to apply
- Apply to the HCC medical assisting certificate program online. Applications are accepted year-round. Students are notified of acceptance between May 1 and Aug. 1.
- Send in your high school transcripts or GED/HISET scores, and any transcripts from other institutions which you have attended. Transcripts should be sent to the HCC Admissions office at admissions@hcc.edu.
- Placement testing: If you have not already taken and passed ENG 095 or higher (passing is a C or better), you will be contacted by the admissions office to schedule a placement test. The medical assisting certificate program only requires you to take the English portion. Students who are dual enrolled or are considering continuing classes after completing the medical assisting program will need to take the full placement test.
- Upon acceptance into the medical assisting program, you will be mailed an acceptance letter and reply form. Your acceptance is dependent upon these forms being completed, signed, and returned to the admissions office.
once admitted
- You will receive a link to sign up for a registration session.
- You will need to attend the medical assisting program orientation held in late August.
- You will be required to sign up for a Castle Branch Health and Immunization account, which has a one time fee of $35.
All classes, with the exception of clinical courses and externship, are taught online. This allows our students to continue to work while participating in the program.
The fall semester is fully online. For spring semester, students are required to attend clinical courses two evenings a week. The 10-week summer session requires students to complete 160 hours of a clinical externship.
Click here to view the medical assisting certificate program course schedule.
For information about health and vaccination requirements, please click here or email fohadvising@hcc.edu.
The medical assisting certificate program at Holyoke Community College is currently a non-accredited program. We are excited to announce that we have begun the process of accreditation through ABHES (Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools) and anticipate being fully accredited by early 2023.
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state-of-the-art classrooms
Utilize powerful technology in our state-of-the-art Center for Health Education.
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assist physicians
Learn how to assist physicians with minor surgeries, and routine patient exams.
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administrative duties
As a medical assistant, you will be one of the most important team members helping a healthcare facility run smoothly.
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give injections
Learn how to administer injections to patients.
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"vital" importance
Use your medical assistant education to help care for people – from checking vitals to providing comfort, your role is critical!
