Medical Assisting

Are you ready to take the first step towards a rewarding career in healthcare? If you’re passionate about helping others and want a fast-paced, hands-on role in the medical field, Medical Assisting is your perfect starting point. Medical assistants are in high demand across the country and their role is essential to the smooth operation of outpatient healthcare facilities. As a medical assistant, you’ll work closely with physicians, nurses, and patients serving a critical role in supporting both clinical and administrative tasks in a clinical setting. Your responsibilities will vary, making each day dynamic and engaging. Earn a certificate in less than 1-year and an Associate in Applied Science, Medical Assisting degree in less than 2-years.

What’s Different at SPSCC?

Workforce Funding. Some students may qualify for workforce funding to help pay for tuition, fees, books, tools, supplies, and more. You can complete one easy online application and be considered for eligibility for the Worker Retraining, BFET, WorkFirst, and Opportunity Grant programs: SPSCC Workforce Funding Application

Be prepared for your certification exam. SPSCC’s medical assisting certificate program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). As a graduate of this program, you’ll be eligible for the national CMA (AAMA) Certification Exam to become a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA).

Program Outcomes

As outlined in MAERB Policy 210, CAAHEP-accredited programs are required to submit an Annual Report Form that contains outcomes outlined in CAAHEP Standards and Guidelines. Accreditation is a public status, and the outcomes provide valuable information to the program and the public to demonstrate success and accountability. In accordance with this policy, CAAHEP-accredited medical assisting programs are required to publish the cumulative 5-year average. 

These outcomes are from the 2024 Annual Report Form for the 5-year average for years 2019-2023: 

• Exam Passage Rate: 95%
• Retention percentage: 74.79%
• Employer Satisfaction 2023: 100%
• Graduate Satisfaction 2023: 100%

Accreditation

In accordance with the U.S. Department of Education Regulation 34 CFR 668.43 (a) (5) (v), the Medical Assisting Program Director at South Puget Sound Community College has obtained the legal opinion of the CEO and Legal Counsel for the American Association of Medical Assistants, relating to education requirements for medical assistant licensure in the United States.

There are six states that require completion of formal medical assisting education as a prerequisite for working as a medical assistant, or to be delegated certain tasks while working as a medical assistant: Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington, and Arizona.

The South Puget Sound Community College Medical Assisting Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). All CAAHEP-accredited medical assisting programs meet the education requirements in these six states.