Welcome to Career Corner, a regular feature in Cougar News which highlights workforce programs at Collin College. Today, we are looking at the Medical Assisting Advanced Practice program.
According to Kimberly Gentry, professor of Health Professions, students in this program will have the opportunity to learn in new facilities with state-of-the-art equipment at the Wylie and Technical campuses. She explains that Medical Assisting Advanced Practice lecture and lab classes are filled with hands-on training and skills that will prepare students to work in physicians’ offices, urgent care facilities and hospitals.
“One unique feature of this program is that it is an advanced practice program, allowing students to take multiple credentialing exams and increase their marketability to employers,” Gentry said. “In addition to the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) certification, students may become credentialed as Certified Phlebotomy Technicians (CPT), Electrocardiography (EKG) Technicians, and Medical Scribes.”
According to Gentry, there are countless opportunities for growth in the medical field.
“Whether students choose to enroll in the 10-month certificate program or the two-year Associate of Applied Science degree, students will pay considerably less than what a four-year degree would cost and will be ready to enter the workforce immediately upon completion of the program and credentialing exam,” Gentry said.
Gentry adds that this program is also valuable to those who may want to continue their education in the medical field.
“If becoming a medical assistant is not a student’s overall career goal, this certification is a great way to gain the hands-on patient care experience that nursing schools, medical schools, and other health care programs are looking for in their rigorous application process,” Gentry said.
Career Facts
Medical Assistants
Average Salary: $34,200*
30.5% growth*
Program
Medical Assisting Advanced Practice Associate of Applied Science degree (60 credit hours)
Level 1 Medical Assisting Certificate (31 credit hours)
If you have questions about the program, email kgentry@collin.edu or ldeutsch@collin.edu. To view the Medical Assisting Advanced Practice information sheet, visit www.collin.edu/academics/info/medicalAssistingInfoSheet.pdf.
For more information about other workforce programs, check out the information sheets at www.collin.edu/academics/info/ or visit www.collin.edu/academics/AcadPrg_careerclusters.html.
*Data obtained from JobsEQ (Collin County), O*NET, and Workforce Solutions of North Central Texas
Note: Job growth projected from 2019-2025
Note: The earning potential for employees with certifications and Associate of Applied Science degrees may exceed the average salary