Medical Assisting (CMA) Courses
The Medical Assisting Program at Wallace Community College has a two-fold purpose. The program seeks to ensure students have opportunities to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for the practice of medical assisting and also prepare them to successfully sit for the American Association of Medical Assistant Certifying Board examination to become a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA). AAMA Disciplinary Standards state if a person is found guilty of a felony or has pled guilty to a felony, the individual will be ineligible to sit for the Certification Examination. The certifying board may grant a waiver based upon mitigating circumstances. Completion of the Medical Assisting curriculum earns one an associate in applied science degree. The Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), 25400 U. S. Highway 19 North, Suite 158, Clearwater, Florida 38783, (727-210-2350), www.caahep.org, on recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB). Accreditation status was reaffirmed in June of 2015 and continues through the spring of 2024. Students enrolled in the Medical Assisting Program at WCC may also focus on short certificate option in the field of phlebotomy. Completers of the phlebotomy certificate are eligible to sit for the Phlebotomy Technician (ASCP) and Registered Phlebotomy Technician (AMT) certification examinations. The EMT level of training is completed in one semester and allows the entry-level EMT to manage both medical and trauma patients. The AEMT level of training is also completed in one semester and allows those at an EMT level to advance in skill preparation and job opportunities. Specific tasks that those certified at this level are allowed to perform vary greatly from state to state, but students learn advanced skills such as the use of advanced airway devices, intravenous fluids, and some medications. The Paramedic level of certification requires three additional semesters of program training and is combined with degree and/or certificate-required academic courses. Paramedics provide more extensive pre-hospital care than do EMTs or AEMTs. In addition to carrying out the procedures of the other levels, paramedics administer medications orally and intravenously, interpret electrocardiograms (EKGs), perform endotracheal intubations, and use monitors and other complex equipment. However, like the AEMT, procedures paramedics are permitted to do vary by state. EMTs, AEMTs and Paramedics work in a variety of settings including industry, fire-rescue, ambulance, aircraft and emergency centers.