The Allied Health Department serves as an umbrella term for two certificate of completion programs, an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Workforce Certification, and a spring phlebotomy course. In addition to SKC’s Admissions application there are additional applications required for the EMT course, the Medical Assisting Certificate of Completion (MACC) program and the spring phlebotomy course. Applications may be obtained from the Allied Health Department. Note: submission of a complete application with the required documentation does not guarantee course acceptance.
Individuals interested in the Emergency Services Certificate of Completion (ESCC) programs will have one of two emphasis to choose from: the Emergency Health Studies Emphasis or, the Emergency Management Emphasis. The EMT course, held over two quarters, is a required course for Emergency Health Studies Emphasis.. Additional requirements such as documentation of required vaccinations, proof of health insurance coverage, an applicant’s ability to pass a federal background check and a valid driver’s license are also required to be submitted with the EMT application. Please contact the Allied Health Department Chair for more information. The phlebotomy course is also a focus elective for Emergency Health Studies Emphasis students.
Students who successfully meet all eligibility requirements will earn their eligibility to sit for each course’s respective national exam. The national written exam for the EMT course is the National Registry for Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) and the national written exam for the phlebotomy course is the National Healthcareer Association’s Certified Phlebotomy Technician (NHA CPT) exam.
The department’s mission is to educate and train students to become competent professionals in the field of Medical Assisting, Emergency Services, EMT, and phlebotomy, and to become valuable members of the health care team. The goal of the department is to align the college’s mission statement, strategic plan, program mission, and accreditation standards to produce a professional, qualified, and culturally sensitive workforce to meet the health care and emergency needs of the surrounding communities.
Programs in this Department
CC Medical Assisting
The Medical Assisting Certificate of Completion is another Allied Health program offering. In addition to the SKC’s Admissions application there is an additional application for the Medical Assistant Certificate of Completion (MACC) program. Applications may be obtained from the Allied Health Department. With a fall start date, progression through the MACC program requires students to successfully complete all courses in a previous term with a 70% or higher in each class in order to progress to the next quarter. Students who meet all eligibility requirements will sit for the National Healthcareer Association’s Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (NHA CCMA) exam at the end of their program. SKC’s Medical Assisting currently boasts a 100% pass rate for the CCMA exam.
The Medical Assisting Certificate of Completion focuses on a competency-based learning approach that prepares graduates with the key cognitive, psychomotor and affective skills required by healthcare employers and the opportunity to pursue career opportunities with private practices, hospitals, clinics and government agencies. Students will participate in classroom and hands on laboratory activities to include career development, medical law and ethics, effective communication, introduction to the electronic health record (EHR), coding and billing, finance, administrative procedures, human disease, anatomy and physiology, infection control, phlebotomy, diagnostic testing, simulation module learning and applied clinical laboratory practices.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics employment of Medical Assistants is projected to grow 18 percent from 2020 to 2030. Medical Assistant is currently one of the fastest growing professions. As a result, physicians will hire more medical assistants to perform routine administrative and clinical duties, allowing the physicians to see more patients.
Certified Medical Assistants are able to obtain additional certifications including Electrocardiography Technician, Phlebotomy Technician, Specialty Certified Medical Assistants and work as clinic managers.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2022), the median annual Medical Assistant salary is $37,190 or $17.88 per hour. However, salaries can vary widely depending on a variety of factors such as location and type of health care facility.
- Be eligible and sit for the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) clinical Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) examination. Students who complete requirements for the NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician exam are eligible to sit for that exam.
- Qualify for employment in the healthcare field.
Successful graduates of the Medical Assisting Certificate of Completion will have learned to:
- Apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills in a healthcare setting.
- Display professionalism and respect for diversity in relation to culture, age, and gender.
- Perform within the legal and ethical scope of practice in the role of a Medical Assistant.
- Demonstrate professional and effective forms of communication with patients, families, and other healthcare professionals in culturally diverse communities.
- Demonstrate proficiency in the administrative and clinical competencies that are required in the role of a Medical Assistant.
- Physical Demands: The industry standards for a Medical Assistant are to have a full range of motion. This includes handling and lifting patients, stooping or stretching and hand-eye coordination. The job will require a Medical Assistant to stand 8-10 hours a day with occasional sitting. MA students must be able to carry 40-50 pounds.
- Additional requirements are stated in the Medical Assistant Certificate of Completion application and handbook..
- All students are required to have a complete federal background check done prior to the end of fall quarter/first year. Failure to pass the federal background check may result in inability to progress in the program.
- Note: Students with a history of criminal convictions (whether felony or misdemeanor) relating to crimes such as, but not limited to, physical assault, use of a dangerous weapon, sexual abuse or assault, abuse of children, the elderly or infirm and crimes against property, including robbery, burglary and felony theft, may not be eligible for employment in a healthcare facility as a medical assistant. Students with concerns in this area should consult with the program director.
- The Salish Kootenai College Medical Assistant Certificate of Completion program prepares students to take the National Healthcareer Association Certified Clinical Medical Assistant exam. The SKC MA CC program conforms to requirements in Montana. The College has not determined whether the program meets specific certification requirements in other states. Students planning to work as a CCMA in another state should consult that state’s requirements.
Admission Requirements
- Submission of the Medical Assistant Certificate of Completion application and related documents.
- All students are responsible for additional program fees to include purchase of uniform, name tag, OSHA approved clinical shoes, stethoscope, wrist watch with a second hand, immunizations, liability insurance, lab fees, certification fees and a federal background check.
- All students are required to provide documentation of health insurance upon acceptance to the Medical Assistant Program.
Requirements for Continuing in the Program
- Students that are accepted into the Medical Assistant Program must take all HIEP and MAST courses consecutively starting fall quarter/first year.
- Students are required to earn a C or better in all HIEP or MAST courses in order to remain in the program and advance to the next academic quarter.
- Students are required to earn a C or better in all non-medical assisting course.
- All students are required to successfully complete 160 hours of clinical externship hours prior to program completion.
- All students are required to take the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant national exam prior to program completion.
- Any changes in a conviction record and/or pending criminal charges which occur between the initial completion of the criminal background/registered sexual offender check and program completion must be provided in writing to the program director within ten working days from the date of notification. Failure to provide such information within the required time frame may result in immediate dismissal from the program.
- Students who are not in compliance with the Student Code of Conduct provided in the SKC Catalog and/or the SKC Medical Assistant Student Handbook may place themselves at risk for dismissal from the Medical Assistant program.
Program Contacts
Valerie Johnson
Department Chair
valerie_johnson@skc.edu
406-275-4847
Health Sciences Bldg,
Allied Health wing
Christina Tryon
CMA Instructor
christina_tryon@skc.edu
406-275-4932
Health Sciences Bldg,
Allied Health wing
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