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Medical Assisting

Your Guide to Getting Started in Medical Assisting at Pitt Community College

PCC MED Links

Applicant Checklist
Advising Checklist
Essential Functions of a Medical Assisting Student
Medical Assisting Faculty
Medical Assisting Program Accreditation
Medical Assisting Program Costs
Program Effectiveness and Outcomes

Minimum Required Pre-Requisites

Must be completed before program entry.

  • Must be a high school graduate or hold a high school equivalency diploma
  • Must be eligible for ENG 111 without a corequisite
  • Must be eligible to take a college level math
  • Must have completed BIO 163 with a C or better within the past 10 years counting back from the date of enrollment in the program

General Education and Recommended Courses

These courses can be completed prior to enrollment in the program.

  • ACA 111 – College Student Success
  • BIO 163 – Basic Anatomy and Physiology
  • ENG 111 – Writing and Inquiry
  • ENG 112 – Writing/Research in the Disciplines
  • SPA 111 – Elementary Spanish I
  • MAT 110 – Mathematical Measurement & Literacy
  • PSY 150 – General Psychology

Optional Recommended Courses

These courses may be used to satisfy credit hour requirements – see Sample Course Plan.

  • BUS 151 – People Skills
  • HSC 110 – Orientation to Health Careers
  • OST 131 – Keyboarding
  • OST 164 – Office Editing
  • OST 184 – Records Management
  • OST 281 – Emerging Issues in the Medical Office
  • OST 286 – Professional Development
  • SPA 112 – Elementary Spanish II
  • CIS 110 – Introduction to Computers
  • CIS 111 – Basic PC Literacy
  • OST 136 – Word Processing
  • OST 137 – Office Applications I
  • OST 149 – Medical Legal Issues

Major Core Courses

Must be formally admitted to the Medical Assisting Program to take MED courses.

  • MED 121 – Medical Terminology I
  • MED 122 – Medical Terminology II
  • MED 110 – Orientation to Medical Assisting
  • MED 114 – Professional Interactions in Health Care
  • MED 272 – Drug Therapy
  • MED 118 – Medical Law and Ethics
  • MED 130 – Administrative Office Procedures I
  • MED 131 – Administrative Office Procedures II
  • MED 140 – Examination Room Procedures I
  • MED 270 – Symptomatology
  • MED 240 – Examination Room Procedures II
  • MED 150 – Laboratory Procedures I
  • MED 276 – Patient Education
  • MED 180 – CPR Certification
    • Students who hold active BLS certification from the American Heart Association at the time of enrollment in the program may receive articulated credit for MED 180
  • MED 232 – Medical Insurance Coding
  • MED 260 – MED clinical Practicum
  • MED 262 – Clinical Perspectives
  • MED 264 – Medical Assisting Overview

Students admitted to health sciences programs are required to complete a clinical practicum. Clinical facilities may require criminal background checks, drug screenings, credit checks, professional license checks, and/or proof of US citizenship prior to or during participation in the clinical portion of a program. Any expenses associated with these requirements are the responsibility of the student. Pending the outcome, clinical facilities may deny a student the opportunity to complete the clinical portion of a program. A student who is unable to complete the clinical portion of a program will not be able to graduate. Criminal background checks, drug screenings, credit checks, professional license checks, and/or proof of US citizenship may also be required after graduation by examination boards, state licensing boards, and employment agencies. Pending the outcome, a graduate may be disqualified from examination eligibility, state licensure, and/or employment.

Students admitted to health sciences programs are required to have a physical examination to determine if they are physically and emotionally capable of performing the essential functions of the program and must submit a completed medical form. A record of immunizations, including, but not limited to, an annual Influenza vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine must be included with the medical form. A medical or religious exemption for vaccines must be approved by the clinical site(s). PCC does not grant vaccine exemptions in lieu of the clinical site(s) and does not guarantee vaccine exemptions will be approved by the clinical site(s).

Programs at PCC that prepare students for professional licensure are designed to prepare a student to apply for applicable licensure in North Carolina. In order to ensure whether the program meets requirements for professional licensure outside North Carolina, PCC recommends the student contact the program director prior to enrolling in the program.

It is the policy of PCC not to discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, handicap, religion, age, or national origin in the recruitment and admission of students; the recruitment, employment, training, and promotion of faculty and staff; and the operation of any of its programs and activities, as specified by federal laws and regulations. PCC is an equal opportunity institution.

Health Sciences admissions policies are not to be regarded as an irrevocable contract between PCC and students. PCC reserves the right to change any provisions or requirements at any time. Every effort will be made to minimize the inconvenience such changes create for students.

Program Overview

The Medical Assisting curriculum prepares multi-skilled health care professionals qualified to perform administrative, clinical, and laboratory procedures.

Course work includes instruction in scheduling appointments, coding and processing insurance accounts, billing, collections, computer operations, assisting with examinations/ treatments, performing routine laboratory procedures, electrocardiography, supervised medication administration, and ethical/legal issues associated with patient care.

Graduates of CAAHEP-accredited medical assisting programs may be eligible to sit for the American Association of Medical Assistants’ Certification Examination to become Certified Medical Assistants.  Employment opportunities include physicians’ offices, health maintenance organizations, health departments, and hospitals.

Why Choose Medical Assisting at PCC?

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Physicians’ Offices
Health Maintenance Organizations
Health Departments
Hospitals

Orientation to Medical Assisting
Professional Interaction in Health Care
Administrative Office Procedures I and II
Examination Room Procedures I and II
Laboratory Procedures I
MED Clinical Practicum
Clinical Perspectives
Symptomatology
Drug Therapy
Patient Education
Medical Assisting Overview

Students will demonstrate competence in administrative procedures.
Students will demonstrate competence in clinical (exam room) procedures.
Students will demonstrate competence in laboratory procedures.
Students will demonstrate effective written and verbal communication.
Students will provide patient care in accordance with regulations, policies, laws, and patient rights.
Students will apply quality control measures in regards to health and safety policies and procedures to prevent illness and injury.
Students will demonstrate professional behavior consistent with employer expectations.
Students will prepare for the CMA credentialing exam.

Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting