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Medical Assistant Program A.A.S.

The Finlandia University Medical Assistant (MA) program prepares individuals to assist health care providers in a variety of settings including private practice, hospitals, community clinics, and free standing emergency and surgery centers. Under the direct supervision of a licensed medical professional such as a physician or nurse, the medical assistant is responsible for performing clinical procedures including medical and surgical asepsis, vital signs, assisting the health care provider with examinations and surgery, administering electrocardiograms (ECGs), and medication administration. The medical assistant is also responsible for performing basic laboratory procedures including specimen collection and testing procedures within the ambulatory health care setting.  Administrative responsibilities include scheduling, general office procedures, insurance billing and coding, computer applications, medical transcription, and medical records management.  Medical assisting graduates are equipped with flexible and adaptable skills, providing the individual with a rewarding career in the field of helping others.

Curriculum Overview

The Medical Assistant Associate Degree is a two-year, five-semester program, including one summer semester.  Freshman-level students take such courses as College English, math, anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, and computer applications. Later, students will take courses in medical office administrative procedures, medical office clinical procedures, and lab procedures. Two externships are also required, one administrative and one clinical. Upon graduation, a student will have completed 71 credits.

This curriculum provides the student with the opportunity for progression from the associate degree to a bachelor’s degree in other disciplines such as health care administration, health sciences, nursing, nutrition, and health care law.