Medical Assisting
Now is the time to pursue a career in healthcare. To get started, enroll at the college, then complete a program application using the instructions on this page. Program applications are currently being accepted by email only. Admissions Specialists are available to help you by phone or by email.
What You Will Learn
Physician’s offices and healthcare facilities are increasing in numbers across the nation to accommodate America’s aging population. As a result, medical assisting is becoming one of the fastest growing careers in the country. For the past 50 years, Central Piedmont’s medical assisting program has been producing graduates with the skills and knowledge needed to address this national trend. Our program reviews the critical administrative tasks, clinical functions and laboratory procedures medical assistants perform each day in the field; equipping you with the hands-on training needed to pursue a successful career in the healthcare setting of your choice.
Medical assistants provide care and comfort to people with healthcare needs, while helping physicians’ offices run smoothly and efficiently. As a result, our program reviews the critical administrative tasks, clinical functions and laboratory procedures medical assistants perform each day in the field, such as:
Clinical:
- recording vital signs
- drawing blood and administering injections
- assisting physicians with medical examinations
Administrative:
- organizing medical records
- scheduling appointments, receiving patients
- performing medical coding and submitting insurance billing
At the completion of the program, you will be able to:
- demonstrate critical thinking skills and problem solving abilities in the performance of entry-level medical assisting
- perform entry level Competencies for Medical Assistants as developed and published by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP) in cooperation with the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB)
- perform all administrative and clinical procedures, which are assigned by a supervising physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant with a high degree of technical skill, effectiveness, efficiency, and safety as an entry-level medical assistant
Graduates of the program find work in physician offices, urgent care centers, medical clinics, outpatient surgery centers, and ambulatory care centers.
Why Choose Central Piedmont
Let us help you fulfill your healthcare career goals. At Central Piedmont, you’ll find:
- Affordability: our diploma and associate degree programs are offered at a cost that is significantly less than similar programs at other area schools.
- Innovation: our challenging curriculum blends traditional classroom learning with the hands-on training you’ll need to pursue a successful career in the medical assisting field.
- Options: we offer both a medical assisting diploma and an Associate in Applied Science degree in medical assisting. These programs may be completed in just 2.5 semesters to accommodate your learning needs. Practicums are also available with many of the region’s leading health care providers.
- Quality: our medical assisting program is nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). This means that when you enroll at Central Piedmont, you’re learning from one of the best.
- Success: our graduating classes have earned 100 percent pass rates on the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) national certified medical assistant (CMA) exam for 15 years. As a result, our graduates attract today’s employers. In fact, some have been hired before graduation.
Real World Education
At Central Piedmont, your education goes beyond what you learn in class. We offer numerous opportunities for you to enhance your learning — and to make friends, network, and pursue your passions — through clubs and organizations, sports, events and activities, leadership opportunities, job experience, volunteer experiences, visual and performing arts, and even international experiences.
Medical Assistant Jobs and Average Salary
Medical assistants are employed in physician offices, urgent care centers, medical clinics, outpatient surgery centers, and ambulatory care centers. Medical assisting employment is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations. This demand will stem from physicians hiring more medical assistants to do routine administrative and clinical duties so physicians can see more patients. Visit Central Piedmont’s Career Coach or the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for detailed medical assisting career requirements and opportunities, salary information, and job openings.
Career CoachThe Details
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Program Options
Earn an Associate in Applied Science degree or a diploma in medical assisting. Completing the diploma counts toward the requirements to complete the Associate in Applied Science, and students who have completed the diploma are encouraged to continue their studies and complete an Associate in Applied Science degree in medical assisting. Individuals desiring a career in medical assisting should, if possible, take keyboarding, medical terminology I, and required general education courses prior to entering the program.
The college catalog lists the medical assisting program options, courses, eligibility, and requirements currently available at Central Piedmont.
If you would like information on opportunities to transfer associate degree credit to a four-year institution, please visit the Transfer Resource Center.
Visiting Students
If you wish to transfer medical assisting course credit back to your home institution, explore how to enroll at Central Piedmont as a visiting student.
Continuing Education
Central Piedmont's continuing education provides non-credit, non-degree courses and programs, including job skills, industry-focused career training, certificates, certifications, professional licensure, and personal enrichment. Day, evening, weekend, and online opportunities are available.
College and Career Readiness
If you are looking for programs to gain the knowledge or skills necessary to finish a high school degree or to get a job, visit Central Piedmont's College and Career Readiness.
College Credit for High School Students
Visit Career & College Promise to learn about opportunities for high school students to earn college credit at Central Piedmont.
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Medical Assisting Program Requirements and Suggested Course Sequences
For detailed information on medical assisting program options, courses, eligibility, and requirements, visit the Central Piedmont Community College catalog.
Contact your advisor for help planning your courses.
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Locations and Course Delivery Methods
Classes for the medical assisting program are delivered in several ways:
- In-person classroom, labs, and clinicals are held on the Levine Campus.
- combined (classroom/lab/clinical and online)
- online
Courses available and their schedules can change each semester. Check the medical assisting program options, courses, eligibility, and requirements each semester.
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Career Coach
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Costs and Aid
Central Piedmont provides real-world, affordable, hands-on education and career training. Learn how much it costs to attend Central Piedmont. Financial aid and scholarships are available.
Medical Assisting Program Costs
In addition to regular tuition and fees, there are laboratory fees assigned to courses with a lab/clinical component. Additional costs include textbooks, workbooks, medical fees for a physical exam, and drug screening and immunizations.
Total estimated medical assisting program costs
Medical Assisting Scholarships
In particular, students interested in the medical assisting program should consider the following scholarships. Please note that many scholarships are managed by organizations outside of Central Piedmont.
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Related Programs
- Biomedical Equipment Technology
- Cardiovascular Technology
- Cytotechnology
- Dental Assisting
- Dental Hygiene
- Emergency Medical Science
- Healthcare (Non-degree)
- Human Services Technology
- Information Technology (Non-degree)
- Medical Laboratory Technology
- Medical Office Administration
- Nurse Aide
- Nursing
- Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Office Administration
- Ophthalmic Medical Personnel
- Pharmacy Technology
- Physical Therapist Assistant
- Polysomnography
- Respiratory Therapy
- Surgical Technology
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Admitted Students: Find Your Advisor
Students at Central Piedmont have a faculty advisor for each program of study offered. Find your faculty advisor based on your last name:
- Stacey Mongelli: last names A-F
- Seareen Asfar: last names G–O
- Allison Simpson: last names P–Z