Medical Assisting
Put your compassion to work.
You’re looking for a way to make a positive impact in the lives of others—and enjoy a rewarding career in a growing field. Our Medical Assisting program can put you on track to do just that.
Here, your classrooms are our state-of-the-industry labs. Your instructors are experienced healthcare professionals. And the hands-on learning blends both back-office clinical skills and procedures and front-office management and customer service.
It’s all about preparing you to enter the workforce as versatile, well-rounded professional with the clinical and administrative skills to help deliver quality patient care.
The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (caahep.org), on the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB).
Equipment
You’ll learn using the same equipment found in doctors’ offices, clinics, and medical facilities, including:
- Autoclave
- Clinitek 10 urine analyzer
- Electrocardiograph machine
- Glucometer
- Hemoglobinometer
- Microscope
- Refractometer
- Scale, thermometers, charts
- Sphygmomanometer
- Spirometer
- Stethoscope
Career Skills
- Administer medications, draw blood, perform injections.
- Measure vital signs.
- Sterilize medical instruments.
- Prepare patients for examination.
- Schedule tests, appointments, procedures, and lab services.
- Conduct pulmonary function tests.
- Assist with minor office surgeries.
- Collect laboratory specimens.
- Obtain medical histories.
- Update electronic health records.
- Perform CLIA-waived lab testing.
- Arrange exam room equipment.
- Complete insurance forms and electronic billing.
- Assign codes using CPT and ICD-10-CM coding systems.
- Process billing and collections.
- Purchase and maintain supplies and equipment.
- Perform electrocardiograms.
Career Opportunities*
A practicum experience can be a big asset in starting your career. Our Medical Assisting students have worked with employers including:
- Western Pennsylvania OB/GYN Associates
- Ohio Valley BusinessFit Occupational Medicine
- Pediatric Alliance
- MedExpress
- UPMC
- Heritage Valley
- Allegheny Health Network
- St Clair Hospital
- Dermatology Associates of Western Pennsylvania
- Campbell & Philbin Medical Associates
*Background check and drug screening may be required prior to practicum and/or employment.
Employers of PTC Graduates*
As you get close to graduation, our Career Services staff will help you—just as they’ve helped our alumni who’ve been hired by employers like:
- Advanced OB/GYN Associates
- Advanced Pain Medicine
- Allegheny Health Network
- Campbell & Philbin Medical Associates
- Central Blood Bank
- Children’s Community Pediatrics
- Dialysis Clinic Inc.
- Greater Pittsburgh Medical Associates
- Hartman Opthalmic Associates
- Heritage Valley Convenient Care
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine
- MedExpress Medical Group Robinson
- Montour Family Healthcare Pediatric Alliance
- Pediatric Alliance
- Pine Hollow Medical Associates
- Preferred Primary Care Physicians
- Sewickley Primary Care
- UPMC Children’s Hospital
- UPMC Womancare Associates—Magee Women’s Hospital
- Washington Physicians Group
*Background check and drug screening may be required prior to practicum and/or employment.
Program Courses
Quarter 1
- Steps to Career Success 1
- Healthcare Delivery in the Medical Office
- Medical Terminology
- Clinical Techniques 1
Quarter 2
- Critical Thinking
- Anatomy & Physiology 1
- Clinical Techniques 2
- Supplementary Math
- College Math
Quarter 3
- English Composition 1
- Principles of Writing
- Communications in Healthcare
- Anatomy & Physiology 2
- Clinical Techniques 3
Quarter 4
- English Composition 2
- Steps to Career Success 2
- Diseases & Diagnostic Methods
- Foundations of Health Insurance
- Clinical Techniques 4
Quarter 5
- Psychology
- Computerized Practice Mgmt. & EHR
- Clinical Techniques 5
- Effective Speech
- Career Development
Quarter 6
- Steps to Career Success 3
- Coding for the MA
- Medical Laboratory
- Pharmacology
Quarter 7
- CMA Review
- Medical Seminar
- Practicum (unpaid)
Program Highlights
Certification
Graduates of PTC’s Medical Assisting program sit for the Certified Medical Assistant exam before graduation.
Program Outcomes
For the 2018 reporting year, the job placement rate for PTC Medical Assisting graduates was 87.5%*. Graduates of PTC’s Medical Assisting program reported 100% satisfaction with their education. In addition, Medical Assisting employers reported 100% satisfaction with the knowledge and skills of PTC’s graduates.
*Placement rate is based on Medical Assistant students who graduated and obtained employment during 2018, as reported to the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB) in the 2019 Annual Report.
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