Medical Assistant Technology (MAS) 2 Locations Program Specific Information Packet

Sinclair Community College
444 West Third Street
Dayton, Ohio 45402
Program Specific Information Packet
Medical Assistant Technology (MAS)
2 Locations
Dayton Campus
444 West Third Street
Dayton, OH 45402
(937) 512-2973
(800) 315-3000
http://www.sinclair.edu/
Courseview Campus
5386 Courseview Drive
Mason, OH 45040
(513) 339-1212
(800) 315-3000
http://www.sinclair.edu/courseview/
Program Director’s Office – Dayton Campus
Building 2, room 122
(937) 512-3088
(800) 315-3000
Dear Prospective MAS Student:
This packet contains the following information for your review:
1.
Read the Health Sciences (HS) Applicant Information Packet for Degree Programs
2.
Welcome Letter from Program Director
3.
Commonly Asked Questions
4.
Health Certificate and Immunization Requirements
5.
Mental and Physical Requirements
6.
Estimated Cost of Program
7.
MAS Curriculum
Please contact the MAS department for specific information regarding program enrollment or
possible waiting lists for entry into the limited enrollment courses.
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Step 1: Read the Health Sciences (HS) Applicant Information Packet
for Degree Programs.
This packet contains valuable information including a checklist for getting started.
2
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Dear Prospective Medical Assistant Technology Student:
Thank you for your interest in Sinclair Community College and the Medical Assistant
Technology (MAS) Associate Degree Program. To become a MAS student, you must
declare the program of study on your Sinclair admission application or, if you are already
enrolled, contact an academic advisor to request MAS be added to your official record as
your program of study. In either case, you will need to meet with an advisor to obtain
your individualized “MAP” (My Academic Plan) which is a course schedule outline to get
you aligned with completing the coursework within the MAS curriculum.
The MAS curriculum consists of “open” and “limited enrollment” courses. Open and
limited enrollment courses are noted on the curriculum sheet within this packet. Any
student may register for “open” courses any term offered as long as the required
prerequisites for those courses have been met. In order to register for “limited enrollment”
courses, you must complete the prerequisite courses for cohort eligibility.
The MAS Program must be completed within two years of beginning the limited
enrollment courses. Students attending on a part-time basis should complete their
support courses (those without a MAS prefix) prior to starting the limited enrollment
courses. Entry point for admission for limited enrollment courses is Fall semester each
year. Up to 40 applicants are permitted to register for the limited enrollment courses each
year. As of December 2013, there is no “waiting list” for entry into the MAS limited
enrollment courses.
If you have any additional questions regarding the admission requirements, please contact
the Medical Assistant Technology office at (937) 512-2973 or in room 2122.
Sincerely,
Judy Kronenberger, Ph.D., RN, CMA (AAMA)
Professor / Program Director
Medical Assistant Technology
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Revised 06/18/14
Process for Entry into MAS Cohorts
and Limited Enrollment Courses
1. Once a student has Medical Assistant Technology (MAS) added to his/her official
transcript as a program of study, he/she is recognized as a MAS student as of that
date.
2. The student’s transcript is reviewed by the MAS department for cohort eligibility
(limited enrollment course eligibility).
3. Students who have completed the following requirements for cohort eligibility will be
added to the limited enrollment course eligibility waiting list in the chronological order
in which all of the following requirements have been satisfied.
a. Declaration of MAS as his/her program of study
b. Completion of developmental courses, if any, resulting from Placement Test
Scores: DEV 0012 (reading), DEV 0032 or 0044 (writing), DEV 0024 (math)
c. Completion of ALH 1101 or equivalent with a “C” or better
d. Completion of BIO 1121 or equivalent with a “C” or better (BIO 1121 or
equivalent may not be older than 5 years)
e. Completion of MAT 1130 or MAT 1270 or equivalent with a “C” or better (MAT
1130 or MAT 1270 or equivalent may not be older than 10 years)
f.
Completion of SCC 1101 with a “C” or better
g. Completion of the TEAS test (by June 1st of the year he/she will qualify to
begin limited enrollment courses )
h. Grade point average of cumulative 2.0 or better
4. In the case that multiple students complete their requirements at the same time, students will
be ranked according to the date MAS was recorded on the student’s record.
a. If more than one student has the same recorded date, the students will be
ranked according to the number of courses in the MAS curriculum they have
successfully completed.
5. Students who have indicated MAS on their record and have not completed the
requirements for cohort eligibility will continue to be monitored for eligibility. If no
progress is made toward completion of the cohort eligibility requirements within one
(1) year of becoming a MAS student, the student will be removed from the MAS
program of study.
a. Once removed, if the student is interested in the MAS program in the future,
student must start over with seeing an academic advisor to begin the process
again.
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SINCLAIR COMMUNITY COLLEGE
MEDICAL ASSISTANT TECHNOLOGY
COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1.
What is a Medical Assistant?
A Medical Assistant is a nationally recognized multi-skilled professional who assists the physician in the
medical office, clinic, or in a variety of other health care settings.
2.
What kind of work does a Medical Assistant perform?
Medical Assistants perform a wide range of duties in a physician’s practice requiring clinical and
administrative skills. Some of the clinical duties performed by Medical Assistants include preparing patients
for examinations and treatments, taking vital signs and medical histories, sterilizing instruments, performing
diagnostic tests and basic laboratory procedures, and assisting the physician with examinations and minor
office surgery.
Some of the administrative responsibilities include scheduling and receiving patients, obtaining patient data,
establishing and maintaining confidential medical records, working with electronic medical records, handling
telephone calls, purchasing supplies, maintaining equipment, and assuming responsibility for daily office
business. Additional duties include coding patient diagnoses/treatments for insurance reimbursement, paper
and electronic insurance claim submissions, and maintaining office accounts, fees and collections.
3.
What kinds of jobs are available to a Medical Assistant?
According to the US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics for 2010,
(http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm ):
“Employment of medical assistants is expected to grow by 31 percent from 2010 to 2020, much
faster than the average for all occupations. The growth of the aging baby-boom population will
continue to spur demand for preventive medical services, which are often provided by physicians. As
their practices expand, physicians will hire more assistants to perform routine administrative and
clinical duties, allowing the physicians to see more patients. Assistants will likely continue to be used
in place of more expensive workers, such as nurses, to reduce costs.
In addition, an increasing number of group practices, clinics, and other healthcare facilities need
support workers, particularly medical assistants, to do both administrative and clinical duties.
Medical assistants work mostly in primary care, a steadily growing sector of the healthcare industry.
Additional demand also is expected as a result of new and changing tasks for medical assistants as
part of the medical team. As more and more physicians’ practices switch to electronic health records
(EHRs), medical assistants’ job responsibilities will continue to change. Assistants will need to
become familiar with EHR computer software, including maintaining EHR security and analyzing
electronic data, to improve healthcare information.”
Employment opportunities for Medical Assistants can be found in physician offices, urgent care centers,
health maintenance organizations (HMOs), medical clinics, surgicare and ambulatory care centers.
Medical Assistants may also be hired by insurance companies, state and federal health agencies,
pharmaceutical companies, research centers, industrial clinics, health care consulting firms, or medical
equipment/supply companies.
The frequent changes in health care delivery will continue to stimulate the future need for qualified Medical
Assistant personnel.
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4.
What is the earning potential?
According to the US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics for 2010,
(http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm#tab-5 ):
“The median annual wage of medical assistants was $28,860 in May 2010. The median wage is the
wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.
The lowest 10 percent earned less than $20,810, and the top 10 percent earned more than $40,190.”
2010 Median Pay: $28,860 per year or $13.87 per hour
5.
Is this a degree program? Is this an accredited Medical Assisting program?
Yes. Graduates receive an Associate Degree in Applied Science in Medical Assistant Technology from
Sinclair Community College. Students who successfully complete the program are eligible to take the
national exam for Certified Medical Assistant (CMA-AAMA).
The Sinclair Community College Medical Assistant Technology Associate Degree program is accredited by
the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the
recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB).
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
1361 Park Street
Clearwater, FL 33756
727/210-2350
6.
How long is the program?
A full-time student who meets all of the requirements can complete the program in two years of education.
This individual would place into college level course work as demonstrated by the placement scores on the
Accuplacer Test and possess a current keyboarding (typing) skill of at least 20 words per minute.
Part-time students will take longer to complete the program. Most of the Medical Assistant Technology
(MAS) courses must be taken in sequence, but required non-MAS prefix courses may be completed before
starting the MAS limited-enrollment courses.
Prospective students are strongly advised to see a Health Sciences Academic Advisor as soon as possible in
order to determine which route of study is best for their specific needs and lifestyle. An Advisor may be
contacted for an appointment by calling (937) 512-3700 (room 11-346).
7.
Are day and evening courses available?
The majority of the required non-MAS prefix courses (such as English, math, biology, etc.) are offered during
the day and evening, as well as distance learning via the web. The Medical Assistant (MAS prefix) courses
are available during the day including the clinical experience courses with very limited flexibility. However,
when possible, the Medical Assistant courses are also offered in the evening (subject to class size and
instructor availability).
8.
What types of learning experiences are included in this program?
The minimal goal for this program is to prepare competent entry-level medical assistants in the cognitive
(knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.
Educational methods include classroom work, laboratory experience and clinical experience in various
physician office and outpatient clinical settings.
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9.
Am I “too old” to start a new career or change careers?
No! Many Medical Assistant students are typically 25-35 years old. Some are in the process of modifying or
changing their careers and some are women who have decided to go to school now that their children are
older. There is no age bias in employment hiring either. You are never too old to do something new and
exciting!
10. When does the first Medical Assistant Technology course begin?
Whether you are full or part -time, you may begin taking required non-MAS prefix classes during any
semester of the year. Your first Medical Assistant (MAS prefix) course will be taken during the fall or spring
semester for the academic year you are eligible to register in the limited-enrollment courses for the Program
once you have completed all program prerequisite requirements.
11. May I take MAS courses out of sequence?
Not generally. Once you begin the MAS limited enrollment courses, you must take all of the MAS courses in
the semester that they are listed in the MAS curriculum. Many MAS courses are only offered once during
each academic year in the term designated in the MAS curriculum.
12. What happens if I do poorly in a course?
The MAS Program has strict guidelines regarding the satisfactory completion of all courses. You are required
to achieve a minimum grade of “C” in all required courses. Less than a “C” grade in any of your non-MAS
prefix courses will necessitate a counseling session with the MAS Chairperson. If you fail the same non-MAS
prefix course twice, you will be dismissed from the MAS Program after counseling with the MAS Program
Director.
Less than a “C” grade in an MAS course will result in dismissal from the program after counseling with the
MAS Program Director. The procedure for re-entering the MAS Program is outlined in the Health Sciences
Reinstatement Policy, which is distributed and explained during the MAS orientation which is required when
permitted to enroll in the limited enrollment//restricted MAS courses.
13. What will the program cost the student?
Tuition and fees are published on the college website (http://www.sinclair.edu/services/bursar/cfs/index.cfm ).
In addition to the “per credit hour” fee, there are laboratory fees assigned to courses with a lab/clinical
component. The cost of required textbooks will vary depending on the term and number of courses for which
you are registered. Students also bear the cost of the TEAS test, a lab coat, a uniform, a stethoscope, prior to
entering the first clinical limited enrollment course.
Students will also be responsible for the cost of a background check, a physical examination and
immunizations prior to the practicum rotation. Please refer to the Estimated Cost of the Program information
in this packet.
14. Is there financial aid available?
Yes. There are several sources of financial assistance available. Please contact the Financial Aid Office at
(937) 512-3000 or see the website at http://www.sinclair.edu/services/finaid/ for more information.
15. Are online classes available?
Most non-MAS prefix courses are available online and a limited number of MAS courses are offered online.
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Revised 06/18/14
Additional Program Information
Uniforms & Equipment – Details will be provided during program orientation when planning limited enrollment
course registration.

Uniforms and shoes are required for this program.

Students are required to have their own stethoscope.
Practicum - Offsite Directed Practice Experience

Students are required to complete two non-paid practicum experiences for the duration of two semesters
during the second year of the program.
o
MAS 2220: Students will be assigned a site and complete a total 210 hours
o
MAS 2221: Students will be assigned to a site and complete a total 210 hours.

Students may not be placed at the same practicum site for both semesters; however, an
attempt will be made to place the student within a 20 mile radius of his/her home if
possible.
Required Health Certificate/Immunizations – Details will be provided during program orientation when planning
for limited-enrollment course registration.

A physical and immunizations will be required prior to starting the MAS 2220 practicum.

A student health certificate must be completed by a physician prior to entry into the clinical setting. This
includes a physical exam, tuberculin test, chest x-ray if the tuberculin test is positive, rubella immunization
or proof of a titer for rubella, Tetanus and diphtheria adult vaccine (Td), and influenza.

Due to the potential for clinical exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials, the student may
be at risk for acquiring Hepatitis B infection. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
recommends that healthcare personnel who perform tasks that may involve exposure to blood or body
fluids should receive a 3-dose series of hepatitis B vaccine.

The following immunizations are suggested, but are not required at most clinical sites: varicella (chicken
pox) titer.
Required Background Checks – Details will be provided in the MAS Student Handbook and discussed during
program orientation when planning for limited-enrollment course registration. Please refer to the HS Applicant
Information Packet for more details.

Federal and state background checks will be required for all students prior to beginning the first practicum
course, MAS 2220. The cost of this background check must be paid by the student.

The purpose of requiring background checks is to ensure the safety of patients, children, and the public
during the practical experience in the medical assistant technology program. Requiring all medical assistant
students to undergo a criminal background check prior to the practicum experience will also ensure that
property, information, employees, other students of Sinclair Community College, and MAS clinical affiliates
are reasonably safe from theft, injury or other unprofessional behavior from practicum students. Because
the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) prohibits anyone who has plead guilty to OR been
convicted of a felony from sitting for the national certification examination to receive the CMA(AAMA)
credential, a background check will also attempt to ensure that students will be eligible to complete their
practicum experiences and become a certified medical assistant.
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MENTAL AND PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS
REQUIRED OF APPLICANTS TO MEDICAL ASSISTANT TECHNOLOGY
Minimum acceptable mental and physical qualifications of an applicant for professional medical
assisting include the following abilities:
1.
Frequently work in a standing position and do frequent walking.
2.
Lift and transfer patients up to six inches (6”) from a stooped position, then push or pull
the weight up to three feet (3’).
3.
Lift and transfer patients from a stooped to an upright position to accomplish exam tableto-chair and chair-to-exam table.
4.
Physically apply up to ten pounds (10#) of pressure to bleeding sites, or in performing
CPR.
5.
Respond and react immediately to verbal instructions/requests and to auditory signals
from monitoring equipment; perform auditory auscultation without impediment.
6.
Physically perform up to a twelve-hour shift clinical laboratory experience.
7.
Physically close and distance visual activities involving objects, persons, and paperwork,
as well as discriminate depth and color perception.
8.
Discriminate between sharp/dull and hot/cold when using both hands.
9.
Perform mathematical calculations for medication preparation and administration.
10.
Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, using appropriate grammar,
vocabulary, word usage, and interpersonal skills.
Applicants to the Medical Assistant Technology Program are responsible for determining their
own eligibility in light of these qualifications, for informing the college of any potential problem
areas, and for identifying the Medical Assistant Technology Department any particular
accommodations they may need. Students with disabilities are encouraged to register with the
Educational Support Services - Disabilities and may utilize these services to determine
appropriate accommodations. Students with disabilities who enter the program do so with the
understanding that they will be expected to meet course requirements with any REASONABLE
accommodation that may be provided by the college.
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Revised 06/18/14
Estimated Cost of the Program
For Montgomery County, Ohio residents:
st
Registration fee (one-time fee applied to 1 registration)
Tuition: 60 credit hours x $99.03/per credit hour**
Fees:
Books:
Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)
Physical/Immunizations: (Required for practicum /clinical rotations)
Uniforms/equipment:
Background check:
CMA (AAMA) national examination
Travel: (Required for practicum /clinical rotations)
$20.00
5,941.80*
206.00
3,000.00
55.00
200.00
100.00
65.00
125.00
150.00
$9,862.80
For outside Montgomery County and inside Ohio:
st
$20.00
8,776.80*
206.00
3,000.00
55.00
200.00
100.00
65.00
125.00
150.00
$12,697.80
st
$20.00
16,944.00*
206.00
3,000.00
55.00
200.00
100.00
65.00
125.00
150.00
$20,865.00
Registration fee (one-time fee applied to 1 registration)
Tuition: 60 credit hours x $146.28/per credit hour**
Fees:
Books:
Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)
Physical/Immunizations: (Required for practicum /clinical rotations)
Uniforms/equipment
Background check:
CMA (AAMA) national examination
Travel: (Required for practicum /clinical rotations)
For outside of Ohio residents:
Registration fee (one-time fee applied to 1 registration)
Tuition: 60 credit hours x $282.40/per credit hour**
Fees:
Books:
Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)
Physical/Immunizations: (Required for practicum /clinical rotations)
Uniforms/equipment
Background check:
CMA (AAMA) national examination
Travel: (Required for practicum/clinical rotations)
* Tuition based on Summer 2014 rates
** There is an additional $7.50 per credit hour fee for online class
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Revised 06/18/14
Limited enrollment Courses’ Prerequisites

ALH 1101 – Introduction to Healthcare Delivery (2.0)

BIO 1121 – Human Anatomy & Physiology I (3.0)

MAT 1130 – Allied Health Math (3.0) **

SCC 1101 – Student Success (1.0)
Total Credit Hours: 9.0
Revised: 9/18/13
Effective Fall 2013
Bldg. 2, Room 122
(937) 512-2973
MEDICAL ASSISTANT TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM CURRICULUM (MAS)
SEMESTER
COURSE
MAS 1101
MAS 1102*
BIO 1222
ENG 1101
HIM 1101
MAS 1103
MAS 1110
HIM 1201
ALH 1140
ALH 2201
MAS 2201
MAS 2210
MAS 2220***
COM 2206
PSY 1100
MAS 2202
MAS 2221
MAS Elective
CREDIT
LAB
PREREQUISITES
3
2
2
3
2
0
3
2
0
0
ALH 1101; SCC 1101
BIO 1121, Chair Permission
BIO 1121
DEV 0032 or equivalent
DEV 0012 or equivalent
4
2
4
3
2
15
2
1
4
3
2
6
3
0
0
0
MAS 1102; MAT 1130 or 1270, MAS Majors
MAS 1101; ENG 1101
HIM 1101, BIO 1121
BIO 1107 or BIO 1222
BIO 1121 or BIO 1141
2
1
1
3
3
6
3
14
0
0
ALH 1140; ALH 2202; MAS 1103, MAS Majors
HIM 1201
MAS 1103, 1110, MAS Majors
DEV 0012 and DEV 0032, or college English
DEV 0012 or ENG 1101
Total
4
2
3
3
3
15
0
1
3
3
14
0
MAS 2201; MAS 2220; MAS 2210, MAS Majors
MAS 2201; MAS 2210; MAS 2220
Total
1
3
3
7
FALL SEMESTER (14)
Introduction to Medical Assisting
Clinical Medical Assisting I
Human Anatomy & Physiology II
English Comp I
Medical Terminology
Total
3
3
3
3
2
14
SPRING SEMESTER (15)
Clinical Medical Assisting II
Administrative Medical Assisting I
Introductory Medical Office Coding
Fundamentals of Disease Processes
Survey of Drug Therapy
Total
FALL SEMESTER (15)
Clinical Medical Assisting III
Medical Billing Specialist
MAS Practicum I
Interpersonal Communications
General Psychology
SPRING SEMESTER (7)
MAS Capstone
MAS Practicum II
MAS Portfolio Elective
LEC
51
Total Program Hours with Prerequisites = 60
* All non bolded courses are “limited enrollment” courses. Students must complete program prerequisites and receive permission from Program Director to enroll.
** MAT 1270 is acceptable in lieu of MAT 1130.
*** Health certificate, immunizations, and background check must be completed prior to start of MAS 2220.
Bolded courses can be taken prior to eligibility to register for limited enrollment courses in the MAS program
11