Medical Assisting

The Medical Assisting Program at Erwin Technical College offers a comprehensive curriculum covering a wide range of skills and competencies essential for a career in health care. Students learn foundational healthcare knowledge, front and back office competencies, clinical lab procedures, and pharmacology.

Skills Taught:
- Healthcare Foundations: Basic Healthcare Worker, CPR - Basic Life Support, First Aid, Blood Borne Pathogens, Cultural Diversity, Professionalism in Healthcare, Employability
- Front Office Competencies: Medical Office Receptionist, Telephone Techniques, Electronic Health Records, Medical Terminology, Anatomy & Physiology, Disease & Disorder
- Back Office Competencies: Phlebotomy, Electrocardiography, Clinical Assisting Procedures like Vital Signs, Physical Therapy, Assisting with Exams
- Clinical Lab Procedures: Point of Care Testing, Autoclaving, Instrumentation, Assisting with Minor Surgery
- Pharmacology: Drug Administration, Dosage Calculation, Drug Classification, Prescription Drugs, Medication Preparation and Administration

Program Features:
- Accreditation: Fully accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) on recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB)
- Externship: Includes a 200-hour externship in physicians' offices and clinics to demonstrate proficiency in administrative and clinical areas
- Employment Opportunities: Graduates can work in doctor’s offices, walk-in clinics, hospitals, dialysis clinics, and urgent care centers as Medical Assistants
- Salary Range: Potential incomes range from $15.00 to $19.00 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics