Medical Assistant

Chair

Jeffrey Oney, (903) 694-4018, joney@panola.edu

Advisors

Kimberly Bishop, (903) 693-1126, kbishop@panola.edu
Jeffry Oney, (903) 694-4018, joney@panola.edu

Instructors

Kimberly Bishop
Jeffry Oney

Courses in Medical Assisting prepare the student to work in many different settings such as physicians’ offices, clinics, and group practices. Because Medical Assistants are multi-skilled, they can perform both administrative and clinical procedures making them valuable in health care. As managed care compels physicians to contain costs and manage human resources more efficiently, the demand for medical assistants is rising.

Courses should be taken in the order prescribed in the curriculum. A grade of “C” or higher is required for satisfactory completion of all MDCA/HITT/HPRS/PLAB courses. Students receiving a grade lower than “C” in an MDCA/HITT/HPRS/PLAB course will be required to repeat that course. A student will not be allowed more than a TOTAL of three (3) final grades of “D” or “F” in any MDCA/HITT/RNSG course or courses. When a student receives a THIRD semester grade of “D” or lower in any MDCA/HITT/HPRS/PLAB course or combination of courses, the student will be permanently dismissed from the program.

Student will complete practicum rotations (MDCA 1260, 2264) at local hospitals and clinics as assigned by instructors. Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA AND have a grade of “C” or better in all previously attempted MDCA/HITT/HPRS/PLAB courses to be assigned to clinical rotations. Transportation to and from the clinical site is the responsibility of the student. An updated immunization record, physical, and drug screen will be required prior to participation in clinical rotations. Cost of these requirements is the responsibility of the student.

Additionally, students will be required to complete CPR training and be subject to a criminal background check prior to beginning clinical/practicums (CPR and background cost are included in Clinical Course fees). Any prior criminal offenses may disqualify the student from proceeding into practicums. Decisions on previous offenses are made by case by case basis and the final decision will lie with the program director and Dean of Health Sciences.

More information on the above policies, as well as further information on the MA program can be found in the Medical Assisting Student Handbook.

Job Outlook

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook (accessed 2/8/21), employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 19 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. The growth of the aging baby-boom population will continue to increase demand for preventive medical services, which are often provided by physicians. As a result, physicians will hire more assistants to perform routine administrative and clinical duties, allowing the physicians to see more patients.