Pre-Professional Program, Medical Assistant

Pre-Professional Program

UWA has a linkage program in cooperation with Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, Alabama, in various fields of allied health. Students complete academic course work at UWA, then apply to transfer to the professional phase of the program at Wallace State Community College. Students completing the program will be awarded the associate degree from Wallace State. Acceptance into the clinical phase is on a competitive basis as students throughout the state compete for available positions. Students should see UWA Health Linkage Coordinator for additional information.

All associate degree programs at Wallace State require completion of the following courses at UWA with a grade of “C” or higher in each course counted toward the degree:

• BY 101. Principles of Biology (4)
• BY 231. Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4)
• BY 232. Human Anatomy and Physiology II (4)
• EH 101. Written English I (3)
• EH 102. Written English II (3)
• MH 113. Precalculus Algebra (3)
• PY 100. General Psychology (3)
• SH 100. Principles of Public Speaking (3)
• UWA 101. Freshman Seminar (2)
• Humanities/Fine Arts Elective (3)

Medical Assistant

Medical Assistants are non-hospital based allied health professionals who assist physicians in their offices. Their work environments may include ambulatory centers, clinics or insurance companies. In accordance with respective state laws, they perform a broad range of administrative and clinical duties.

Administrative duties include scheduling and receiving patients, preparing and maintaining medical records, performing basic secretarial skills and medical transcription, handling telephone calls and writing correspondence, serving as a liaison between the physician and other individuals, and managing practice finances.

Clinical duties include sterilizing instruments and equipment, taking patient histories and vital signs, performing first aid and CPR, preparing patients for and assisting the physician with examinations and treatments, performing routine laboratory procedures and diagnostic tests, and preparing and administering medications as directed by the physician.

A medical assistant may also be responsible for supervising personnel, developing and conducting marketing, and contract negotiation.