Medical Assisting

The Medical Assisting Program at Wilkes Community College equips students with a diverse set of skills essential for success in health care settings.

Skills Taught:
- Administrative Skills: Scheduling appointments, processing insurance accounts, billing, and managing electronic medical records
- Clinical Skills: Assisting with examinations and treatments, routine laboratory procedures, electrocardiography, and medication administration
- General Business Knowledge: Competency in business, administrative, and clinical areas for credential examinations
- Communication Skills: Effective communication with diverse individuals and accurate patient information documentation
- Mobility and Motor Skills: Using instruments, maneuvering in confined spaces, bending, lifting, and reaching
- Physical Strength and Stamina: Standing for extended periods, lifting up to 50 pounds, and supporting patients
- Sensory Skills: Visual skills for equipment use, listening skills for patient communication, and tolerance of various odors
- Occupational Exposure Awareness: Understanding infectious diseases, bloodborne pathogens, chemicals, and ergonomic hazards
- Professional Standards: Emphasis on CPR certification, background checks, and professional conduct

Program Features:
- Certification Preparation: Eligibility for Certified Medical Assistants exam
- Retention Support: 86.67% retention rate with student support services
- Job Placement: 91.67% employment rate for graduates
- Disability Services: Accommodations for students with disabilities
- Associate to Bachelor Agreements: Transfer opportunities to Bachelor's degree programs