3.14 Medical Assisting

3.14.1 System Guidelines

Enrollment in the Medical Assisting Program may be limited because of available externship facilities in the community as well as limited faculty and financial resources.

• Technical Standards
  • The Medical Assistant specializes in the application of scientific knowledge and theory in the skillful performance of their profession. Therefore, all applicants should possess:
    1. sufficient gross and fine motor coordination to efficiently implement the skills required in performing medical assisting functions e.g., laboratory skills, patient ambulation, multitasking capabilities, and medication administration;
    2. sufficient communication skills (verbal, nonverbal, and written) to interact effectively with individuals;
    3. sufficient intellectual and emotional functions to plan and implement their duties in a responsible manner;
    4. sufficient visual acuity, such as is needed in the preparation and administration of medications in the performance of laboratory procedures, and for the observation necessary for patient assessment and care; and
    5. sufficient auditory perception to receive verbal communication from patients and members of the health team and to assess health needs of people through the use of monitoring devices such as stethoscopes, fire alarms, etc.
• Admission Requirements
  • Selection of students for the program will be made by the president of the college or the president’s designee after considering the recommendations of the Medical Assisting Admissions Committee.
  • Membership on this committee may include the following:
    • Medical Assisting Program Coordinator
    • Medical Assisting Faculty Member
    • Admissions Officer and/or Counselor
    • General Education – Faculty Members (2)
  • Each applicant must attend a Medical Assisting Program advising conference and submit the following credentials in order to be admitted:
    1. Application for admission to the college;
    2. Official high school transcript showing graduation or G.E.D. scores;
    3. Official ACT (or SAT) or Compass scores; and
    4. Official transcripts of previous college education.
  • In the event that the number of applicants exceeds the maximum capacity, preference may be given to:
    1. applicants with an ACT composite standard score of 19 or above, or the equivalent.
    2. applicants who rank in the upper half of their high school graduating class or have an average score of 50 or above on the G.E.D.
    3. applicants who submit evidence of successful completion of developmental coursework and/or those who have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better in 12 or more credit hours of college work.
    4. applicants who are Kentucky residents or live within the college’s service area.
    5. applicants who complete the admission procedure prior to established college deadlines.
• Readmission
  1. Readmission to the Medical Assisting program will be dependent upon available resources.
  2. In order for a student to be considered for readmission to the Medical Assisting Program, the applicant must:
  3. If three (3) years or more have elapsed since the initial enrollment in the program, the student must repeat the Medical Assisting courses of the curriculum.
  4. A student may be readmitted to the Medical Assisting program no more than two (2) times.
• Transfer
  1. Students wishing to transfer from one Medical Assisting program to another will be considered on an individual basis.
  2. Admission will be dependent upon available resources at the college.
  3. Students must meet all program admission requirements set by the college to which transfer is sought.
• Program Completion Requirements
  • To qualify for Medical Assisting credentials, a student must earn a grade of “C” or better in all required courses.

3.14.2 College Guidelines

• 3.14.2.1 Jefferson Community and Technical College
  • The System Guidelines will be followed and preference may be given to applicants who are veterans, active duty personnel, their spouses, and also displaced workers who qualify under the Trade Adjustment Act.