Kansas City Kansas Community College Medical Assistant Program

The KCKCC Medical Assistant Certificate is accredited by the CAAHEP, based on recommendations by the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB). This accreditation ensures the program adheres to national standards for medical assisting education, providing assurance of quality to students and employers alike.

Graduates are eligible to challenge multiple certification exams, including:

• Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)
• Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)
• Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)

This flexibility in certification choice means graduates can tailor their qualifications according to specific employer preferences or regional job market demands.

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Tuition at Kansas City Kansas Community College is highly affordable and varies based on residency status:

• Wyandotte County Residents pay $107 per credit hour (including an $83 tuition rate and a $24 student fee).
• Kansas Residents (In-State) pay slightly more at $119.50 per credit hour.
• Residents of selected counties in Missouri (Jackson, Johnson, Platte, Clay, Cass) receive a KC Metro Rate of $144.50 per credit hour.
• Kansas high school students enrolled in dual-credit programs enjoy the lowest tuition rate at $80 per credit hour.

These affordable tuition rates make KCKCC a financially appealing option for aspiring medical assistants in the area.

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Admission into the Medical Assistant program is competitive, and students must meet specific prerequisites to be considered:

• Accuplacer reading comprehension score of at least 243.
• Students must directly contact the program coordinator to obtain the application and specific advising instructions.

Applicants should note that simply applying does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

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The 38-credit-hour program is structured across three semesters and includes comprehensive courses addressing both clinical and administrative skillsets.

First Semester Courses:

• Medical Terminology (3 credits): Students learn prefixes, suffixes, and medical terminology for different body systems.
• Medical Administrative Aspects (4 credits): Covers office management skills, medical record handling, appointments, and billing procedures.
• Medical Professional Issues (2 credits): Focuses on medical assistant ethics, professional responsibilities, communication skills, and time management.
  Emergency Preparedness (1 credit): Prepares students for emergency situations within their scope of practice.
• Human Body (3 credits): Introduces anatomy, physiology, and common diseases.
• Patient Care (4 credits): Teaches foundational clinical skills, such as vital signs and patient interviewing.

Second Semester Courses:

• Pharmacology Administration (2 credits): Basics of medication administration and related calculations.
• Advanced Patient Care (4 credits): Expands clinical abilities, including radiology basics, surgical assistance, and EKG administration.
• Billing and Coding (3 credits): Students gain expertise in medical billing, coding, insurance claims, and diagnostic procedures.
• Laboratory Diagnostics (5 credits): Introduces laboratory safety, specimen handling, and performing moderate complexity tests.
• Pharmacology (3 credits): Further exploration of medications, drug classifications, and safe administration across age groups.

Third Semester Course:Externship (4 credits): 160 hours of clinical, hands-on practice in a medical facility, requiring current CPR certification.

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A significant highlight of KCKCC’s Medical Assistant program is the comprehensive curriculum, which covers both clinical and administrative aspects of medical assisting equally well. This dual focus is critical, as it opens more doors for graduates seeking diverse job opportunities in medical settings.

Another notable strength is the program’s impressive 92.86% certification exam pass rate for 2018-2022, demonstrating the school’s effectiveness in preparing students for success. Additionally, the externship opportunity provides invaluable real-world experience, giving graduates a competitive advantage when entering the job market.

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Potential applicants should be aware that admission into the program is selective, meaning students must adequately prepare to meet or exceed entry requirements. Additionally, since the externship is unpaid, students need to be prepared financially and time-wise to complete these clinical hours without compensation.

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