Medical Assisting

Outcomes from 2018-2022
2018-2022 Student Retention Rate – 95.54%

The information above reflects the 2024-2025 course catalog and is subject to change. Please check with your advisor for the most up to date information. 

The information above reflects the 2024-2025 course catalog and is subject to change. Please check with your advisor for the most up to date information. 

Medical Assistants are versatile health care professionals that have specific training to work in a physician’s office or clinic. Medical Assistants may perform administrative skills and basic clerical functions, including writing business letters and memos, filing patient records, scheduling, preparing requisitions, telephone services, transcription, monitoring third-party reimbursement, and medical coding. Additionally, Medical Assistants are proficient in many clinical skills, a few of which are obtaining vital signs, sterile technique, assisting with physical examinations and minor surgery, administering injections, laboratory procedures, phlebotomy, and sterilization of equipment by autoclaving.

For up to date information consult the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Growing Career Opportunities

Medical assisting is one of the nation's fastest growing careers. Labor projections for 2016 through 2026 from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicate that while average job growth is seven percent, medical assistant job growth is twenty-nine percent. The BLS attributes this job growth to the following factors:

• Predicted surge in the number of physicians' offices and outpatient care facilities
• Technological advancements
•  Growing number of elderly Americans who need medical treatment

The average wage in Washington State is $19.88/hr., in Yakima County the average starting wage is $16/hr.

The profession of Medical Assisting requires the ability to multi-task and use critical thinking skills. Prospective students should possess personal integrity, have the ability to pay close attention to detail, be conscientious, and orderly. Physical requirements include the ability to either sit or stand for long periods of time and the strength to lift supplies, lift and move patients, and maneuver heavy equipment. The nature of the career requires adequate vision, hearing and manual dexterity. Additionally, students must be willing to continue their education throughout their career to keep abreast of new developments in the field.

The curriculum is designed to provide those interested in becoming medical assistants with the skills necessary to utilize well-defined professional skills to perform basic patient exam techniques, clinical, and business procedures commonly performed in the physician’s office or clinic, and increase the effectiveness of communication between themselves and their patients.  YVC and the Medical Assisting Community Advisory Committee have identified the following Medical Assisting Program educational goals to meet accepted national standards as well as community specific interests.

1. Apply the fundamentals obtained in medical assisting courses to safely, efficiently, and accurately perform clinical and administrative competencies.
2. Utilize knowledge gained in interrelationship and social science courses to recognize the cultural, legal, and ethical implications of their actions in relating to their patient and as a member of the healthcare team.
3. Integrate knowledge gained in medical assisting courses to prepare for and assist with medical emergencies.
4. Use technology skills, including computer hardware and software, in the performance of clinical and administrative competencies.
5. Employ appropriate medical terminology to communicate in the clinic setting and to provide for accurate documentation.
6. Exemplify the characteristics of professionalism as they relate to the practice of medical assisting on the personal, institutional, local, state, and national levels.

To prepare competent entry-level medical assistants in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains

Program Learning Outcomes:

• Demonstrate competent entry-level clinical medical assisting skills that are based on the affective, cognitive, and psychomotor learning domains set forth by MAERB curriculum and includes the full scope of medical assisting practice in Washington state.
• Demonstrate competent entry-level administrative medical assisting skills that are based on the affective, cognitive and psychomotor learning domains set forth by MAERB curriculum.

Immunizations and training

Students are required to complete CPR/First Aid/7-hr HIV/AIDS training and immunizations prior to starting Fall quarter AHMA classes. Proof of completion via a community source is acceptable. Certifications must remain current through completion of the Medical Assisting Program Externship courses.

The Medical Assisting Program’s affiliation agreements with clinical and practicum training sites require students to be complete with all immunizations and tuberculosis (TB) screening as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for healthcare personnel. The requirements reduce the risk of exposure to communicable diseases for students and their patients/clients.

Failure to maintain immunization records with annual updates will impact enrollment status, jeopardize clinical participation, and continued program participation will be prohibited. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all immunizations and/or proof of immunity documentation be submitted on time (prior to the start of the program and any quarter thereafter). Immunizations, and any needed laboratory testing, are done at the student’s expense.

Immunization Requirements

All students in the Medical Assisting Program must upload documentation of immunization into Canvas-Medical Assisting Program Requirements. Acceptable documentation of proof of immunization may include:

A signed letter from your physician or physician’s office

A signed immunization record

A copy of laboratory results demonstrating proof of immunity

Tuberculosis (TB) PPD Testing:

Submit proof of ONE of the following:

• 2 step TB (PPD) skin test
  • The 2-step PPD test, or tuberculin skin test (PPD), is used to detect individuals with past tuberculosis (TB) infection. It is done in a four appointment schedule.
    • Visit 1: Place the first PPD 
    • Visit 2: 48-72 hours later, the PPD is read. 
    • Visit 3: 1-3 weeks after Visit 1, the second PPD is placed. 
    • Visit 4: 48-72 hours later, the PPD is read. 
  • In summary, 2-step PPD testing requires 2 PPD’s to be placed, 1-3 weeks apart, with each of those tests read 48-72 hours after placement.

OR

• IGRA – TB Blood Test (QuantiFERON TB Gold)

If you have had a positive TB test result, consult your advisor in determining what is your next best step in order to proceed to your clinical rotations.

Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap): Must have booster within the last 8 years.

Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR): There must be documentation of one of the following:

2 vaccinations (6 weeks apart)

Positive antibody titers (blood draw) for ALL 3 components

Varicella (Chicken Pox): There must be documentation of one of the following:

2 vaccinations (6 weeks apart)

Positive antibody titers (blood draw)

Hepatitis B (Hep B): There must be documentation of one of the following:

3 vaccinations (2nd shot 2 months after 1st, and 3rd shot 4-6 months after 1st shot)

Positive antibody titers (blood draw)

Influenza: Submit documentation of a flu shot administered during the current flu season

COVID-19: There must be documentation of one of the following:

Monovalent (original) mRNA COVID-19

2 vaccinations for Moderna

2 vaccinations for Pfizer

1 vaccination for Johnson & Johnson

Unvaccinated individuals: A single dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent or Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent. 

Individuals who have received one or more doses of a monovalent (original) COVID 19 vaccine: A single dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent or Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent is administered at least 2 months after any monovalent COVID-19 vaccine.

Hepatitis A (Hep A): Currently not required, but strongly recommended

PROOF OF ADDITIONAL IMMUNIZATIONS MAY BE REQUESTED FOR ACCEPTANCE INTO THE PROGRAM AS REQUIRED BY THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CDC, STATE OF WASHINGTON AND/OR ADOPTED BY THE INFECTION CONTROL DEPARTMENT OF THE CLINICAL SITE AFFILIATES.

The following costs are estimates of the expenses students can expect during the program. These costs do not include coursework taken prior to starting Medical Assisting program courses.

Tuition per quarter (resident-$141.09 per credit*) $1554.92*
Books, supplies and miscellaneous fees $300-$700
Immunizations (varies) $300-$500

Verified Credentials/Qualified First

• Background Check/Drug Screen/Additional Requirements $115.00

MA-C credential application $145.00

Registered Medical Assistant National Exam $150.00

Total approximate costs for the one-year certificate program are $9,461.94
Total approximate costs for the Associates of Applied Science (AAS) program is $12,852.46

*Tuition is based on full-time (12 Credits) *Tuition and lab fees are subject to change.
**Rate subject to change; please see current rate.
The estimated costs do not include transportation, room and board, or other personal needs.
The above costs are based on full-time status and may vary for part-time students.

Approximate Additional Costs: Students may expect additional costs for these items if they are not already owned. These costs are approximate only and may vary widely.

• Shoes (for clinical lab and externship) $30-$100
• Uniform-scrub pants and tops (for clinical lab and externship) $40-$70 per set
• Watch with a second hand or mode $20-$50
• Stethoscope with a bell and diaphragm $40-$100

The Yakima Valley College Medical Assisting Certificate Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB).

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
25400 US Highway 19 North, Suite 158
Clearwater, FL 33763
727/210-2350

Informed Acknowledgment of Hazards and Risks 

Medical assisting is a profession that involves health risks. The following discussion of potential hazards and risks will assist the student to make an informed decision regarding participation in the YVC Medical Assisting Program. Some medical assisting program courses contain classroom, laboratory, and clinical activities where learning requires the use of fellow students as part of the training procedures and/or demonstrations. Safety issues and concerns when dealing with occupational exposures are a major focus in the medical assisting curriculum.

The medical assistant may be exposed to various chemicals used in disinfecting and sterilization, laboratory testing, biohazard waste and blood borne pathogens, and communicable diseases. Participation in the practice of medical assisting and the YVC Medical Assisting Program may involve injury, illness, or death to one’s self or others. Injury or illness can include, but is not limited to, improper use of equipment or substances by one’s self or another, or exposure to infectious diseases, hazardous materials, and/or radiation. Accidental injury may also occur in the externship setting, or enroute to or from the externship site. Any injury or illness may affect one’s personal health or the health of an unborn child. An injury or illness may impair one’s general physical and/or mental health and may affect one’s future ability to earn a living, engage in other business, social, or recreation activities, or generally impair one’s ability to enjoy life. One might become paralyzed, meaning the inability to move the body part that has been affected by injury or illness.

Do not plan to complete your class on smart phones or tablets. Some of the McGraw Hill Connect system functions may not work well or at all on mobile devices. A computer and access to wifi is needed to complete this course.

Computer Specifications 

Canvas and its hosting infrastructure are designed for maximum compatibility and minimal requirements.

Screen Size

A minimum of 1024x600. That is the average size of a netbook. If you want to view Canvas on a device with a smaller screen, we recommend using the Canvas mobile app.

Operating Systems

• Windows XP SP3 and newer
• Mac OSX 10.6 and newer
• Linux – chromeOS

Mobile Operating System Native App Support

• iOS 7 and newer
• Android 2.3 and newer

Computer Speed and Processor

• Use a computer no older than 5 years old when possible
• 1GB of RAM
• 2GHz processor

Internet Speed

Along with compatibility and web standards, Canvas has been carefully crafted to accommodate low bandwidth environments.

• Minimum of 512kbps

Screen Readers

• Macintosh: VoiceOver (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.(latest version for Safari)
• PC: JAWS (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.(latest version for Internet Explorer 10 &11)
• PC: NVDA (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.(latest version for Firefox)

1. Apply for Admission and Financial Aid: If not already admitted to YVC, a completed application for admission to the college must be submitted. Complete your FAFSA online at fafsa.gov and/or apply for special funding. This program qualifies for opportunity grant funding. Questions? Please email specialfunding@yvcc.edu.
   
   YVC Special Funding & Individual Employment Plan
2. Assess your skills with Placement Testing: To receive placement assessment instructions, email your name and YVC Student CTC ID Number to testingservices@yvcc.edu. Your YVC Student ID Number can be found in your Welcome Letter/Email after you applied to YVC. You must have completed the Admission process before you take the placement assessments.
   
   Connect with your Advisor by completing this form. 
3. Then look out for an email to create an educational plan personalized to your needs. 
4. Register: Register for classes in person or online. Pay tuition and fees.

YVC offers a unique approach to obtaining a variety of health professional certificates or degrees.

• Our shorter-term certificate offerings range from 5 to 69 credits in length.
• Our Associate of Applied Science Degree, we offer several options which range from 90 to 106 credits in length.

Our Allied Health Technology programs provide career and enrichment coursework and clinical experiences in order to build the knowledge, skills, and competencies for providing care for people of all ages in a variety of medical professions. Each program has different admission criteria, coursework, and degree options, ranging from introductory classes and certificates to associate of applied science degrees focused on a specific area of study. The majority of courses are offered in an online format. Clinical laboratory practice and clinical externship are required in some program courses.

YVC’s recently opened West Campus features expanded classrooms and labs for five of the college’s Allied Health programs: Medical Assisting, Medical Billing and Coding, Pharmacy Technician, Phlebotomy, Sterile Processing Technician, and Surgical Technology. The new facility is designed to prepare students to excel as healthcare professionals by providing spaces that mimic real-life healthcare settings. Learn more about West Campus and the Kaminski Allied Health Center.