Medical Assisting

Why Choose This Program

This program addresses both clinical and administrative components of healthcare.

About The Program

The Medical Assistant healthcare program prepares a graduate to work in hospital and outpatient clinic settings.  Medical Assistants perform both administrative and clinical duties under the direction of physicians and licensed staff in their offices or other medical settings. This program offers the student a broad foundation in basic medical assisting skills including skills lab and practicum hours in a medical setting under the supervision of clinic personnel and the college program director. Basic medical assistant training and education consist of learning experiences in communication skills and patient relations, medical law and ethics, patient intake, medical record and privacy practices, examination room procedures, assisting with minor surgery procedures, clinical lab skills and general clinic office practices including basic medical coding and billing. 

Paying for College

Northark is affordable! We offer nearly $500,000 annually through institutional and foundation scholarships in addition to federal and state aid. See our scholarships and other financial aid programs.

Learning Outcomes

Medical Assistant

• Graduates of the Medical Assisting program complete both the Administrative Medical Assistant and Clinical Medical Assistant programs, combining the required courses for each certificate of proficiency.

• Graduates of the Medical Assisting program are prepared to take the national certification exam for both administrative and clinical components.

• Graduates of the Medical Assistant Program will be proficient in the program learning outcomes for both administrative and clinical medical assistant curricula:

  • AMA graduates perform medical office appointment scheduling for new and established patients, referrals, diagnostic test or procedure scheduling, and perform general office procedures including professional communication and correct medical terminology with patients, healthcare providers and staff.

  • AMA graduates demonstrate patient intake procedures, insurance and benefit verification, and knowledge of basic coding, recognizing OSHA and Medicare/Medicaid services guidelines.

  • Graduates prepare and file patient medical records electronically and in paper formats, following HIPAA Guidelines, assuring privacy and security of protected health information.

  • Graduates perform financial procedures regarding insurance co-payments, creating statements, bookkeeping and basic computer skills, and explain patient’s Bill of Rights and provide education regarding consents, insurance billing and procedures and follow-up

Licensure and Certification

Graduates of our Medical Assisting programs complete all course work necessary to sit for the NHA CCMA certification exam. Certification is not currently required by the state of Arkansas for Medical Assisting but is preferred by many employers. We are unsure of the certification requirements in other states.