Medical Assisting Program (A.S.)

Medical Assisting A.S. Degree Program Overview

The Associate of Science in Medical Assisting at SABER College is a comprehensive program designed to equip students with the practical skills and theoretical knowledge needed to excel in healthcare environments. This Associate Degree prepares students for clinical and administrative roles, ensuring they are versatile professionals ready to support medical teams and provide compassionate patient care.

Our program combines online learning for foundational subjects with on-campus lab training and a hands-on externship to provide a well-rounded education that meets industry demands.

Why Choose Medical Assisting at SABER College?

• Comprehensive curriculum that balances theory with practical skills.
• Flexible learning format with both online and on-campus courses.
• Hands-on training through lab simulations and real-world clinical experiences.
• Personalized support with small class sizes and experienced instructors.
• Career-focused education that aligns with industry standards and certification requirements.

What Will You Learn in the Medical Assisting Program?

Our comprehensive curriculum covers a wide range of clinical, administrative, and communication skills essential for success in healthcare, ensuring that our students are well-prepared for the real-world challenges of the medical field.

Medical Knowledge and Theory

The following subjects provide a solid foundation in human biology, healthcare regulations, and industry practices.

• Human Anatomy & Physiology: Students gain an in-depth understanding of the structure and functions of the body’s systems, including the cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, musculoskeletal, and nervous systems. Coursework emphasizes the interaction of organs to maintain overall health and highlights the impact of diseases and disorders on bodily functions.
• Medical Terminology: Students develop a strong understanding of healthcare language, enabling them to:
  • Communicate effectively with medical professionals.
  • Accurately document patient information.
  • Interpret medical prescriptions and doctor’s instructions with precision.

• Microbiology and Infection Control: This subject introduces students to the types of microorganisms that impact human health. Emphasis is placed on infection prevention techniques, sterilization methods, and personal protective equipment (PPE) use. Students also learn proper handling of laboratory equipment to ensure safety in medical environments.
• Pharmacology for Medical Assistants: This course covers essential pharmaceutical knowledge, including:
  • Medication classifications and therapeutic uses.
  • Safe medication administration practices.
  • Accurate dosage calculation and monitoring of drug interactions.
  • Pharmaceutical supply management and proper documentation of administered medications.

Clinical Skills and Patient Care

Our hands-on training prepares students for essential clinical responsibilities such as:

• Vital Sign Measurement: Students will learn to accurately measure and interpret key patient health indicators, including blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, and temperature. These skills are crucial for assessing patient well-being and identifying potential medical concerns.
• Phlebotomy and Blood Collection: Students receive hands-on training in venipuncture and capillary puncture techniques. The curriculum emphasizes patient comfort, specimen handling, and infection control protocols to ensure safe and adequate blood collection.
• Electrocardiography (EKG): Students are trained to operate EKG machines to record heart activity, properly position patients for accurate readings, and identify irregular heart rhythms that may indicate cardiac issues.
• Medical Laboratory Techniques: Students develop the ability to prepare blood samples for analysis, conduct routine diagnostic tests, and record results accurately. Emphasis is placed on maintaining safety protocols to prevent contamination and ensure reliable outcomes.

Administrative Skills for Healthcare Settings

In addition to clinical responsibilities, medical assistants are vital to the smooth operation of healthcare offices. Our program emphasizes administrative skills that are highly valued in the industry.

• Medical Billing and Coding: Students are trained to:
  • Process insurance claims with accuracy.
  • Apply correct medical coding for procedures and diagnoses.
  • Manage invoicing and patient payment records.
  • Ensure compliance with healthcare regulations, such as HIPAA.

• Electronic Health Records (EHR): Students learn to manage patient information effectively using modern EHR software. This training includes recording medical histories, managing appointments, and tracking test results.
• Office Management and Communication: Students develop key skills in managing administrative tasks in fast-paced healthcare environments. Coursework emphasizes effective communication with patients, coordinating referrals, and maintaining accurate medical records.

Externship Experience

The 180-hour externship provides students with practical experience in real healthcare settings. During this experience, students apply their acquired skills in patient care, administrative duties, and medical office management.

Externship experiences include:

• Supporting physicians and healthcare professionals in clinical procedures.
• Managing patient records and administrative tasks.
• Practicing effective communication with patients in a professional healthcare environment.
• Gaining insights into the daily operations of a medical office or healthcare facility.

Admission Requirements

To be accepted into the Associate of Science in Medical Assisting program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Submit a High School Diploma, GED, or an equivalent credential from their country of origin.
• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Achieve a minimum score of 11.0 in mathematics, language, and reading on the TABE Test (Exemptions apply for applicants with an AA degree or higher).
• Submit official transcripts demonstrating a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Complete a college application, including a writing sample.
• Complete a personal interview with the Program Director or an administrative representative.
• Pass a criminal background check and drug screening.

Our admissions team is available to provide personalized guidance throughout the application process.

Medical Assisting Program Curriculum

The Associate of Science in Medical Assisting program at SABER College offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to develop well-rounded healthcare professionals. The program combines general education courses, core medical assisting courses, and a hands-on externship to ensure graduates are fully prepared to succeed in the healthcare industry.

General Education Courses (Online)

These foundational courses provide essential knowledge in communication, science, and mathematics to support success in healthcare roles.

• Human Anatomy & Physiology I – 3 credits (45 hours): Covers the structure and function of the human body, focusing on cells, tissues, and the major organ systems.
• Human Anatomy & Physiology I Lab – 1 credit (30 hours): Hands-on laboratory work designed to complement Anatomy & Physiology I with practical applications.
• English Composition – 3 credits (45 hours): Focuses on writing skills, effective communication, and professional documentation techniques.
• College Algebra – 3 credits (45 hours): Provides essential mathematical skills needed for dosage calculations, billing, and office procedures.
• Introduction to Psychology – 3 credits (45 hours): Explores human behavior, mental processes, and communication strategies that are essential for patient care.
• Human Anatomy & Physiology II – 3 credits (45 hours): Continues from Anatomy I with a deeper focus on complex body systems, disease processes, and homeostasis.
• Human Anatomy & Physiology II Lab – 1 credit (30 hours): Provides hands-on activities to reinforce Anatomy & Physiology II concepts.
• Human Growth and Development – 3 credits (45 hours): Covers the stages of human development from birth to old age, with a focus on psychological and physical changes.
• Principles of Human Nutrition – 3 credits (45 hours): Focuses on dietary needs, nutritional balance, and wellness strategies for patients across the lifespan.

Core Medical Assisting Courses (On Campus)

These specialized courses focus on the clinical, technical, and administrative skills required in a medical assisting role.

• Introduction to Medical Assisting – 3 credits (45 hours): Introduces students to the medical assisting profession, including roles, responsibilities, and career pathways.

• Anatomy and Pathology for Medical Assistants – 4 credits (60 hours): Explores common diseases, their pathology, and medical conditions that medical assistants frequently encounter.
• Medical Terminology – 2 credits (30 hours): Provides a detailed study of medical terms, abbreviations, and language used in healthcare environments.
• Office Procedures – 3 credits (45 hours): Covers administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, managing medical records, and filing insurance claims.
• Microbiology, Sterilization, and Infection Control – 2 credits (30 hours): Focuses on the prevention and control of infections, including sterilization techniques and proper sanitation procedures.
• Pharmacology for Medical Assistants – 4 credits (60 hours): Provides instruction on drug classifications, proper dosages, medication administration, and pharmacy procedures.
• Medical Laboratory Techniques with Lab – 5 credits (105 hours): Offers practical training in specimen collection, laboratory testing, and diagnostic procedures.
• Electrocardiography (EKG) – 3 credits (45 hours): Teaches the operation of EKG equipment, heart monitoring, and recognizing abnormal cardiac rhythms.
• Phlebotomy – 3 credits (45 hours): Provides training in drawing blood, collecting samples, and preparing specimens for laboratory analysis.
• Medical Assisting Clinical Procedures with Lab – 5 credits (105 hours): Covers clinical techniques such as taking vital signs, assisting in minor surgeries, and administering medications.
• Medical Law and Ethics – 3 credits (45 hours): Focuses on legal and ethical considerations in healthcare, including patient rights, confidentiality, and professional conduct.

Externship (On-Ground)

The Externship is a supervised clinical experience where students apply their skills in a real- world healthcare setting.

• Externship – 4 credits (180 clock hours): Students work in physician’s offices, clinics, or hospitals to gain valuable on-the-job training. This experience allows students to integrate their classroom knowledge with hands-on patient care.

Program Summary

• Total Credit Hours: 64
• Total Clock Hours: 1,170

The curriculum is designed to develop technical proficiency, medical knowledge, and professional skills required for success as a medical assistant. Students graduate fully prepared to handle clinical tasks, administrative duties, and patient interactions confidently.

Career Outlook for Medical Assistants

Medical assistants are in high demand across various healthcare settings. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts thatthe employment of medical assistants will grow by 16% through 2030, much faster than the average for other occupations.

Graduates may pursue roles such as:

• Medical Assistant
• Phlebotomist
• Medical Office Assistant
• Lab Technician
• Clinical Support Specialist

Medical assistants can work in various settings, including hospitals, outpatient care centers, specialty clinics, and physician’s offices. Graduates may also pursue further education to specialize in cardiology, dermatology, pediatrics, or other healthcare fields.