ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE IN MEDICAL ASSISTING   Medical assisting is an allied health profession where practitioners function as members of the health-care delivery team and perform administrative and clinical procedures. Administrative duties may include scheduling and receiving patients, preparing and maintaining medical records, performing administrative procedures and medical transcription, handling telephone calls and writing correspondence, serving as a liaison between the physician (including telephone screening) and other individuals, and managing practice finances. Clinical duties may include asepsis and infection control, taking patient histories and vital signs, performing first aid and CPR, preparing patients for procedures, assisting the physician with examinations and treatments, collecting and processing specimens, performing selected diagnostic tests, and preparing and administering medications as directed by the physician and as permitted by state law.    This program was developed in accordance with the guidelines recommended by the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation (CAHEA), sponsored by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), and the American Medical Association (AMA).  The Associate in Applied Science Degree Program in Medical Assisting offered at Forrest Junior College in Anderson SC is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon recommendation of the Curriculum Review Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants Endowment (AAMAE)}.   Upon successful completion of the program graduates are eligible to take the National Certification Examination for Certified Medical Assistants.  Click here for certification options. Upon graduation the student is awarded the Associate in Applied Science Degree in Medical Assisting.   Area I - Business Component   Quarter Hours  BUS125 Basic Letter and Memo Writing, or Approved Elective 3.0  CIS100 Introduction to Computers 3.0  CIS125 Internet Basics 1.5  KEY105 Keyboarding Speed & Skill Development 3.0  OFF100 Bookkeeping 1.5  OFF135M Machine Dictation Transcription, or approved Elective 3.0 Component Total     15.0     Area II - Major Component   *HEA110 Medical Terminology 3.0 *HEA135 First Aid and Safety 3.0 *HEA150 Introduction to Medical Assisting 3.0 *HEA160 Medical Office Management 3.0 *HEA165 Medical Office Procedures, or approved elective 3.0 *HEA170 Clinical Procedures I 3.0 *HEA175 Clinical Procedures II 3.0 *HEA180 Medical Laboratory Techniques I 3.0 *HEA185 Medical Laboratory Techniques II 3.0 *HEA190 Medical Coding & Insurance Processing 3.0 *HEA201 Introduction to Pharmacology 3.0 *HEA285C Supervised Field Experience-Clinical 3.0 *HEA285A Supervised Field Experience-Administrative 3.0 *SCI220 Human Anatomy & Physiology I 4.5 *SCI225 Human Anatomy & Physiology II 4.5 *SOC110 Ethics 4.5 Component Total     52.5 Area III - General Education Component   *ENG120 English Composition I 4.5 *ENG125 Professional Communications 4.5 *ENG200 English Composition II 4.5  SCI120 Principles of College Mathematics 4.5  SOC125 Principles of Psychology 4.5 Component Total     22.5 Area IV - Elective Component   (Courses are selected with the consultation of an advisor) Component Total     4.5 Minimum Total Quarter Hours Required For Graduation 94.5 *This course is a major program area course.  A grade of "C" of better is required in order to satisfy graduation.   Applicants must have completed a physical examination indicating good physical health prior to beginning HEA285A or C.  The test must include TB screening, Hepatitis B Panel, and RPR.  Hepatitis B Inoculation is strongly encouraged if results from the Hepatitis B panel are negative. Notice regarding prior felony conviction(s): The state and various other agencies may require criminal background checks before a student can be placed in an externship or take professional licensing, certification, or registration exams. Those convicted of felonies may not be eligible for employment in medical assisting occupations. It is the responsibility of the student to inquire about employment eligibility requirements before enrolling in the program. Forrest Junior College is not responsible in this regard. This program is a new addition to the college's offerings as of July 2004.  It was revised October 2006.  Retention and placement statistics are not available at this time.