Associate in Applied Science, Medical Assistant

The Medical Assistant program prepares students as multi-skilled healthcare workers who function as assistants to physicians and other healthcare professionals in a variety of ambulatory care settings. The responsibilities of the medical assistant include administrative and clinical duties.

An Associate in Applied Science will be awarded upon completion of the program with a 2.0 GPA and a “C” or better in all Allied Health and Nursing (AHN) courses.

Functional Abilities

Certain functional abilities that will enable the student to competently perform the required technical skills are necessary for the completion of the program. A functional abilities inventory is required from each student prior to the externship. Reasonable accommodations will be made on an individual basis.

Student Conduct

Students may be removed from the program for violation of safety, confidentiality or for behavior that is incompatible with the DCCC Code of Conduct pending the outcome of an appeal.

Externship

Selected clinical externship sites will be provided in local medical offices under the supervision of allied health instructors. The externship is a learning experience giving the student the opportunity to utilize learned skills in the medical office environment. The student may not receive monetary remuneration or other reimbursement. Students are required to carry liability insurance while in externship which is included in tuition.

In addition to normal tuition and fees, Medical Assistant students will have the following additional expenses for an externship: uniform, name tag, stethoscope, personal insurance, cost of a physical exam, required vaccines, drug screen, PA background check, PA Child Abuse Clearance, and FBI Background check including fingerprints, current CPR, and a program package form Castle Branch for collection of externship documents.

Documentation of the following must be on file by the provided deadline while the student is enrolled in AHM 107 Medical Assistant Techniques and Practicum II. Students will be unable to go on externship if there are missing documents.

• FBI Criminal Background Check (including fingerprints)
• Background Check and Child Abuse Clearance from the state of residency.
• Complete physical examination including laboratory testing
• Seasonal flu vaccine
• Covid Vaccine
• Hepatitis B vaccine
• 10-panel drug screens
• Two-step Mantoux PPD or QuantiFERON test
• Current CPR for Health Provider:
• American Heart Association – "Basic Life Support" OR
• American Red Cross – "BLS/CPR for Healthcare"

Third-party entities, such as clinical sites, require criminal background checks as a condition to participate in an externship in a medical office. Even if you have chosen the Medical Assistant Program as your major, sites may refuse you access to the facilities if the criminal background check does not meet the facility’s standards. The Medical Assistant Program will attempt to make other arrangements for such students to fulfill clinical requirements but may not be able to do so.

Details will be provided, and documents will be collected in AHM 107 Medical Assistant Techniques and Practicum II.

Medical Assisting Students are required to sit for the national certification exam offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) during a designated time. The cost of the exam is included in the AHM 107 Medical Assistant Techniques and Practicum II tuition. The exam is a requirement of the AHM 199 Medical Assistant Externship

Start Date

Every semester.

• Fall Semester: Late August
• Spring Semester: Early January
• Summer Semester: Late May

Delaware County Community College (DCCC) is an accredited, public two-year college located in Media , Pennsylvania . The College serves 12,500 students , including more than 200 international students from over 50 countries . DCCC students enjoy a safe, high-tech campus surrounded by nature, with easy access to the dynamic and historical city of Philadelphia, 22km away. The College offers 40+ degree programs to international students. Students can complete a 2-year Associate degree and transfer to a 4-year Bachelor’s degree program if they wish. Our Transfer Office has partnered with over 40 colleges and universities to form dual and guaranteed admission agreements and core-to-core articulation agreements. Our location in suburban Philadelphia gives students to opportunity to visit these and many other schools on the East Coast of the U.S. DCCC gives international students access to an excellent ESL program ; individual attention from professors through small class sizes (20 students on average); and one-on-one advising for academic, immigration, and personal issues.

Open Admissions Policy

To be admitted to the College, TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, and ACT scores are NOT required. During Orientation, students will be tested and placed in the appropriate levels of English and Math classes. We offer an ESL program for students who may need additional English-language studies. Although they are not required for admission, if you do have test scores, they may be used for placement purposes. Scores must be current within 5 years. - A TOEFL iBT score of 80+, TOEFL PBT score of 550+, or IELTS score of 6.5+ will qualify you to take the English placement test (and not the ESL placement test.) - An SAT Reading score of 500 or ACT Reading score of 18 qualifies students to register for English Composition I (ENG 100). - An SAT Math score of 500+ or ACT Math score of 20+ qualifies students to register for Math classes at the appropriate level.

Campus Life

Media, Pennsylvania is a comfortable suburban community known as “Everybody’s Hometown.” It is safe and quiet with convenient shopping, theaters, restaurants, and apartments. Easy-to-use public transportation from Media links you to the vibrant city of Philadelphia. Philadelphia is famous for its history and is one of America’s important global centers for business, healthcare, education, and culture. The city offers historical and cultural treasures such as the Liberty Bell and world-class museums, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Constitution Center, and the Barnes Foundation. From DCCC, students can explore New York City (2 hours), Washington, D.C. (2.5 hours), Baltimore, and Boston, as well as beautiful beaches and mountains. A well-rounded education that includes activities, sports and community involvement impresses potential transfer schools, increases your opportunities for transfer scholarships and appeals to future employers. That is why Delaware County Community College offers an array of activities to help enhance your learning experience, bolster confidence and give you a true sense of community. Extracurricular activities, from athletics to academic clubs and student government, bring you together with people from all walks of life—people like you who are transforming their lives and opportunities through the pursuit of new knowledge and skills.

Student Housing

DCCC is proud to offer a number of housing options to students including the assistance of the Housing Coordinator who works in the International Student Services office. Students who want to true American experience of living with a family can choose our Homestay Program. Students in the program will live with a host family and will have a private furnished bedroom, use of the home’s facilities, and interaction with the host family. Bedding, towels, all utilities and 2 meals per day are included. In addition to regular host family placements, there are a limited number of homestay placements without meals available. These placements provide all of the above except meals. The student will be responsible for his or her own grocery shopping and cooking. Some students prefer to live in independent, shared housing with other students and no host – which is known as student house-share. The house is fully furnished and equipped. Each student has a private bedroom and shares all other rooms, including bathrooms, living and dining areas, and kitchen. Students are responsible for their own meals. The specific arrangement and monthly fee are determined by the homeowner. There are also numerous options for apartment living in the communities surrounding the College. Towns near the College include Media, Newtown Square, Broomall, and Havertown.