1. Central Piedmont Community College
Locations: Charlotte, NC
The Central Piedmont Community College offers both a diploma program in medical assisting and an associate’s degree. These programs can be completed in as little as 2.5 semesters. The curriculum includes a clinical practicum, which can be arranged with many of the area’s leading healthcare providers. Students learn a number of clinical and administrative duties, to include drawing blood, medical coding and billing, assisting physicians with exams, and much more.
2. Wake Technical Community College
Locations: Raleigh, NC
Wake Technical Community College is located in the capitol city of Raleigh, and it offers both an associate’s degree and a diploma. WTCC’s programs are fully accredited and tailored its towards passing the certification exam. The diploma program is a full-time day program, and the AAS degree option includes all of the diploma coursework plus seven additional courses to complete the degree. Graduates of both programs go on to find work in physicians’ offices, medical centers, hospitals, and more.
3. Guilford Technical Community College
Locations: Jamestown, NC
Guilford Technical Community College offers an associate’s degree in medical assisting. Students are exposed to such topics as anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, office procedures, and patient confidentiality. In total, enrolled students complete 68 credit hours of coursework focused on both clinical and administrative tasks and duties. Graduates are eligible to sit for the medical assistant certification exam of their choosing.
4. Central Carolina Community College
Locations: Sanford, NC
Central Carolina Community College offers both a one-year diploma and a two-year associate’s degree in medical assisting. In addition to traditional classroom courses, students receive hands-on learning in a simulated environment. A total of 240 clinical externship hours are required for graduation. Upon completion of the program, students are prepared to perform various medical office procedures, collect lab specimens, take vital signs, assist physicians with exams, and much more.
5. Hayward Community College
Location: Clyde, NC
Hayward Community College is a public college that offers an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Medical Assisting (A.A.S.) that’s designed to prepare future entry-level healthcare professionals. The 74 credit-hour program can be completed in four semesters (two years) and consists of in-class lecture, hands-on lab practice, and a clinical externship at a local healthcare facility. During the program, students will learn how to code, schedule appointments, assist with examinations, and become familiar with electrocardiography, among other things.
6. Pitt Community College
Location: Winterville, NC
Pitt Community College is public community college that offers an Associate in Applied Science Degree program in Medical Assisting (A.A.S.) that’s accredited by the CAAHEP. Following the successful completion of the course, students will be eligible for entry-level employment opportunities in doctors’ offices, hospitals, health maintenance organizations, and more. Students can expect to complete the 76 credit-hour program in about two years. During lecture, hands-on lab practice, and throughout the clinical externship, students will learn how to supervise medication administration, become familiar with ethical/legal issues common to patient care, and much more.
Rachel Dennis works as both a professional writer and health care provider. She has been a licensed health care provider since 1998, with work experience as a medical assistant, certified nursing assistant and emergency medical technician. She has been writing since 1994 and has been published both on-line and in print.
