Credit Programs

Medical Assisting

Technical Standards

Students in the Medical Assisting program must meet these technical standards. Please read the standards carefully and seek clarification if necessary.

Standard
Example of activity or behavior
Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with co-workers, patients, families and individuals from a variety of social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds
  • Establish rapport with clients, families and colleagues
Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and written form
  • Collect and document assessment data
  • Explain treatment procedures
  • Obtain and disseminate information relevant to patient care and work duties
Mental/cognitive abilities (intellectual and emotional function) sufficient to plan and implement assigned duties in a responsible manner
  • Display attitudes and actions consistent with ethical standards of medical assisting
  • Communicate an understanding of the principles of confidentiality, respect, tact, politeness, collaboration, teamwork and discretion
Physical abilities sufficient to maneuver in small spaces, lift and carry up to 50 pounds and push up to 200 pounds. Fine motor dexterity sufficient for kneeling, bending and stooping and for pinching, grasping and manipulating instruments and equipment.
  • Move around and within an exam room
  • Administer CPR
  • Transfer patients from stretchers and wheelchairs and/or exam tables and back
Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective patient care
  • Move, calibrate, pause equipment and supplies, including sharp instruments
  • Lift, transfer and position mobile and immobile clients
  • Lift and carry at least 30 pounds of weight safely
Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs in person or over the telephone
  • Hear patients' cries of distress, heart sounds and blood pressure sounds, as well as the sounds of instruments and equipment being properly utilized with or without corrective devices
Visual acuity sufficient for physical assessment, performance of medical office or clinical procedures and maintenance of environmental safety
  • Observes client responses, such as skin color and facial expression
  • Monitors vital signs
  • Reads numbers, lettering, writing on instruments, paper and computer screens
  • Identifies reagents and other materials, such as laboratory media, stain preparations and various body fluids with or without corrective devices
Tactile ability sufficient for assessment and performance of clinical procedures.
  • Perform palpation techniques (pulse, bony landmarks, venipuncture sites and differentiate between temperature and pressure variations)
Emotional stability and mental alertness sufficient for performing the medical assisting role
  • Maintaining a calm and efficient manner in high-stress or pressure situations with patients, staff, supervisors and colleagues
  • Remain alert to surroundings and potential emergencies
Olfactory ability sufficient to perform medical office or clinical procedures
  • Distinguish drugs and liquids or chemicals

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, "A qualified person with a disability is one who can perform the essential function of a job with or without reasonable accommodation." If a Medical Assisting student believes that he or she cannot meet one or more of the standards without accommodation or modifications, the college must determine, on an individual basis, whether the necessary accommodations or modifications can be made reasonably.