Program Information

The medical assistant performs a variety of clinical and administrative duties. Clinical duties may include: assisting the physician and preparing patients for examinations and treatment; taking and recording vital signs and medical histories; performing certain diagnostic tests; preparing, administering and documenting medications; collecting and processing specimens. Administrative duties may include: scheduling and receiving patients; maintaining medical records; handling telephone calls; correspondence and reports; insurance matters; office accounts; fees and collections.

Medical assisting is a one-year certificate that has 47 credit hours of required courses. Those who receive training in the Medical Assisting Program will find occupations involved with administrative and clinical aspects of health care in clinics and physicians’ offices. Students are required to enroll in the program full time. There are 16 seats available each year. Classes begin fall term and run through spring term.

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the Medical Assisting program must meet the following requirements:

1. Completion of all program prerequisites with a letter grade of “C” or better.
2. Submission of official (unopened) college transcripts indicating prerequisite coursework. A transcript for all classes taken
at CGCC will be produced by Student Services and placed in your application packet; however, you must indicate CGCC on the application form as one of the colleges attended. If you are a CGCC student and have taken classes at Portland Community College (PCC) since summer 2005, you must request an official transcript from PCC.
3. Completion of all required forms, including CGCC Admissions form. A checklist of required documents is provided in the admissions packet.
4. Attendance at Medical Assisting Orientation.
5. Students must have transportation to clinical facilities throughout the Mid-Columbia region for the clinical experiences.

Required Prerequisites

All program prerequisites must be completed with a letter grade of “C” or better. Applications will be processed on a first
come, first serve basis; priority will be given to applicants with completed prerequisites. Applicants who are enrolled in
prerequisites for summer term can be accepted to the program pending completion of the prerequisite courses with a “C” or
better.

• BI 121 Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology I – BI 121 is typically offered summer term. Applicants applying for the program may be conditionally accepted pending completion of BI 121.
• MP 111 Medical Terminology
  
• MTH 60 Introductory Algebra – Completion of MTH 60 or higher level math course for which MTH 60 is a prerequisite must be graded and transcripted. If the math prerequisite course was taken prior to winter 2008, the applicant must place into MTH 95 on a placement test. Placement test results must be submitted with the application packet. CGCC accepts COMPASS, ASSET and ACUPLACER placement results.
  
• WR 121 English Composition – Completion of WR 121 or higher level writing course for which WR 121 is a prerequisite must be graded and transcripted. If the writing prerequisite course was taken prior to winter 2008, the applicant must place into WR 121 on the placement test. Placement test results must be submitted with the application packet. CGCC accepts COMPASS, ASSET and ACUPLACER placement results.

NOTE: Basic Computer Literacy: The Medical Assisting One-Year Certificate does not require a computer applications class as a prerequisite; however, success in the Medical Assisting program requires that students be computer literate, including windows, keyboarding, Internet and email. Students with no computer experience should discuss with an advisor ways to remediate this competency prior to applying to the Medical Assisting Program.

To schedule an appointment with an advisor call (541)506-6011 or 541-308-8211.

2013 Medical Assisting Admissions Packet

Faculty and Program Coordinator:

Diana Lee-Greene, MBA

541-506-6159 voice