Accreditation and Certification
The North Seattle Community College Medical Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), 1361 Park Street, Clearwater, FL 33756,    727-210-2350, on the recommendation of the Curriculum Review Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants Endowment (AAMAE).

Graduates of this program are eligible to sit for the national CMA certification exam, and are also eligible for the Washington State Health Care Assistant (HCA) certificate at levels A, C, and E, obtainable through an employer. The state certificate does not constitute a certified medical assistant credential. The national CMA credential is obtained through a national exam and allows the successful candidate to use the initials CMA and be considered a certified medical assistant; the program advisor has details and the necessary forms.

Graduates of NSCC's Medical Assisting Program have been scoring, on average, in the 99^th percentile for the National CMA exam for the past two years. Our passing rate, for the last several years, has been 100%.

NSCC's self-paced "Modular" Program
The modular program allows students to enter or graduate in any quarter. All modular classes are self-paced and may be taken in any quarter. Students may take any number of course modules as desired (plan with advisor) and take longer than the usual one-year to complete the program if needed. Students study theory portions through reading a text and completing assignments as listed in a course packet of material as well as by computer disks (some internet assignments). Students are encouraged to study at the college where MA instructors will be in the classrooms during scheduled hours to assist and answer questions but students will have the option of studying theory elsewhere. Students must practice the 'hands-on' procedures in the classroom with an instructor and quizzes/exams and competency checkoffs must be performed at school during designated times. Instructors, classrooms and equipment will be available according to a scheduled time frame of hours/days including some evening times. Students are encouraged to establish a regular schedule each quarter to foster successful completion and to complete as much of the work as possible at the college where assistance and guidance is available. Instructors highly encourage students to attend as much as possible to utilize resources and individualized instruction.

Incorporated throughout the program is instruction in additional areas that are vital in the medical field. Examples of these areas include safety, hygiene, communication, computation, human relations, professionalism, work habits and job search skills. Good spoken and written English skills are a must as well as time management ability.

Program Fees
In addition to the various fees charged by the college, students will have additional expenses. A separate list is available in the division and from the advisor. Student will need such things as supplies for practice of procedures (supply fee added to tuition), uniforms, the cost of the health requirements, along with the usual fees charged by the college: lab fee, computer use fee, etc.

Transfer Credit
Comparable courses may be transferred from other colleges or credit may be evaluated and granted for prior learning/experience according to the guidelines of the AAMA. Make an appointment with the Program Coordinator.

Facilities
A brief overview of some of the facilities and specialized training given to Medical Assisting Students is available on the Medical Labs web page.

• Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
  CAAHEP Web Site: http://www.caahep.org/
  
  
• American Association of Medical Assistants
  AAMA Web Site: http://www.aama-ntl.org/