Arkansas State University Mid-South Medical Assisting Program

The AAS Medical Assistant program covers core subjects essential to professional success:

Administrative Skills

In courses like Medical Assisting Administrative Procedures I & II, students learn front-office responsibilities such as patient scheduling, bookkeeping, handling medication dosage instructions, and managing patient data with confidentiality in mind, adhering to HIPAA regulations.

Clinical Skills

Courses like Clinical Procedures I & II focus heavily on clinical tasks. Students learn how to assist doctors during exams, take and record vital signs, perform sterilization techniques, and administer diagnostic tests such as ECG/EKG, spirometry, and X-rays. Laboratory procedures are practiced extensively in the course titled Medical Assisting Laboratory Procedures, covering essential tasks like blood and urine testing, and proper specimen handling.

Specialized Skills and Certifications

Additional training includes courses in Medical Billing & Encoding, teaching students how to manage insurance claims and medical billing software effectively. The Phlebotomy course provides hands-on experience in blood collection techniques, preparing students for specialized duties.

The program concludes with a mandatory 180-hour clinical externship, giving students practical, supervised experience in real medical facilities. Graduates must also pass a certification review course designed to prepare them for the national certification exam for medical assistants.

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To apply for this program, prospective students must meet specific criteria:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Possess a high school diploma or GED
• Achieve required scores on placement tests or complete necessary developmental coursework in reading, English, and mathematics
• Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 from prior academic coursework
• Submit an official application through the Allied Health Sciences Division
• Participate in an interview with faculty
• Pass drug screening and a criminal background check before externship
• Provide proof of vaccinations, including Hepatitis-B, MMR, TDaP, Flu shot, and a negative TB skin test by the end of the second semester

Meeting these requirements demonstrates the program’s commitment to student preparedness, professional standards, and patient safety.

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This associate degree typically takes around two years to complete. Courses are organized into semesters and must be completed sequentially, with some classes having prerequisites to ensure proper skill-building.

Key courses offered each semester include:

• First Semester (Fall): Administrative Procedures I, Medical Law & Ethics, Medical Terminology, and Anatomy & Physiology.
• Second Semester (Spring): Clinical Procedures I, advanced administrative training, and other technical coursework.
• Subsequent Semesters: Clinical Procedures II, Laboratory Procedures, Billing and Encoding, Phlebotomy, certification preparation, seminar review, and the clinical externship.

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While tuition and fees are not explicitly detailed, students should expect additional costs beyond regular tuition, such as:

• Lab fees
• Uniforms
• Drug screening and background checks
• Insurance
• Certification testing fees

Students considering this program should contact the college directly for detailed cost information to plan their finances appropriately.

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The AAS Medical Assistant degree culminates with preparation for the national medical assistant certification exam. Students take dedicated courses, including Medical Assisting Certification Review and Medical Assisting Seminar, which specifically target exam readiness and professional employability.

Certification significantly enhances employment prospects, as many healthcare employers prefer certified medical assistants.

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Arkansas State University Mid-South employs experienced healthcare educators who focus heavily on practical, hands-on skills and real-world applications. Small class sizes and lab-based instruction ensure personalized attention, helping students master required skills and knowledge.

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A significant strength of this program is the 180-hour clinical externship requirement. This immersive experience gives students direct exposure to professional healthcare environments, such as hospitals, clinics, and doctors’ offices, allowing them to apply classroom learning practically and effectively.

The externship is critical, ensuring students are not only knowledgeable but also job-ready and confident in their abilities upon graduation.

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Potential students should be mindful of the program’s rigor, time commitment, and strict admission criteria. Additionally, the requirement for background checks, drug testing, and immunizations indicates the seriousness with which the program approaches healthcare ethics and patient safety.

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Classes and labs take place on the Arkansas State University Mid-South campus located at 2000 West Broadway, West Memphis, AR. The facilities offer modern equipment and realistic clinical simulation environments, allowing for thorough training.

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