Are you people-oriented, friendly, patient and willing to serve people and their families who may not feel their best? Are you thorough, attentive to details and able to manage time and stress? Would you like to work in a medical setting but aren’t sure how or where to start? Then take a look at DCCCD’s Medical Assisting program!
Medical Assisting is one of the fastest-growing careers in the nation, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. With an increasing number of doctors’ offices and outpatient care facilities, technological advancements and the growing number of aging Americans who need medical treatment, the job market is booming for those who enter this exciting career field.
Interested? El Centro College offers one of the few accredited Medical Assisting programs for college credit in north Texas!
Medical Assisting Degree and Certificate Options
Medical Assisting is a 12-month program that trains medical assistants to carry out both clinical and administrative duties that are performed in physicians’ offices, clinics or other outpatient facilities.
Clinical skills include taking and recording vital signs, administering injections and other medications, drawing blood, collecting and processing specimens, preparing patients for examination or in-office procedures, patient teaching, setting up office procedures and documenting information in patients’ medical records.
Administrative skills include insurance coding and processing, collections, appointment scheduling, filing, creating medical records and receiving patients.
El Centro College is the only DCCCD college with a credit Medical Assisting program, offering the Medical Assisting Certificate. (Richland College also offers a certificate through its continuing education Medical Assisting program.)
Graduates of both programs can sit for the CMA (Certified Medical Assistant) credential. Both programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
Other Degree and Certificate Options
The Dallas County Community College District offers nearly 350 career and technical degrees and certificates, plus 36 academic degrees. For more information, see a chart of our degree plans by location.