Medical Assisting awarded 10-year continuing accreditation

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah Technical College’s Medical Assisting program has been awarded continuing accreditation for ten years by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

The recent peer review conducted by the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB) in April 2019, and CAAHEP’s Board of Directors recognized the program’s 100% compliance with the nationally established accreditation MAERB Standards with no citations or recommendations. The accreditation standards are established by CAAHEP, MAERB, American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), American Medical Technologists (AMT) and National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

“The commission commends you (Dr. Love) and your colleagues for your commitment to continuous quality improvement in education, as demonstrated by your participation in program accreditation,” wrote CAAHEP President Glen Mayhew, DHSc, NRP, in the College’s award letter dated September 20, 2019.

STC’s Medical Assisting Diploma program provides prepares students for employment in a variety of positions in today’s medical offices. The Medical Assisting program provides learning opportunities which introduce, develop, and reinforce academic and occupational knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. Additionally, the program provides opportunities to upgrade present knowledge and skills or to retrain in the area of medical assisting.

Medical Assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks, which keep the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other health practitioners running smoothly. In small practices, medical assistants usually do many tasks, handling both administrative and clinical duties and reporting directly to an office manager, physician, or other health practitioner. Those in large practices tend to specialize in a particular area, under the supervision of department administrators.

The Medical Assisting diploma program utilizes a competitive entry process and requires the completion of the Heath Care Assistant Certificate with any approved specialization or the Emergency Medical Technician – Basic certificate plus the required core classes as part of the its admission process.

Applications are accepted from April 1 – May 1 for a Fall (August) start. The Medical Assisting diploma program starts one (1) cohort each academic year. Meeting the minimal program requirements does not guarantee acceptance in the program. Students may be required to successfully pass criminal background check and drug screen analysis before placement in clinical settings.

Satisfactory completion of all program courses entitles students to participate in the Certified Medical Assistant (AAMA) examination and certification process. Many employers require candidates to hold a CMA for entry level employment. Application assistance and fee for the exam is included in the Medical Assisting Externship course (MAST 1170).

For information about Medical Assisting visit: www.savannahtech.edu/MedicalAssisting or contact Jackie Muller jmuller@savannahtech.edu or 912.443.5810.

About CAAHEP

The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs is the largest programmatic accreditor of the health sciences professions. In collaboration with its Committees on Accreditation, CAAHEP reviews and accredits more 2,100 individual education programs in 30 health science occupations. CAAHEP accredited programs are assessed on an ongoing basis to assure that they meet the Standards and Guidelines of each profession. CAAHEP is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). CAAHEP is also member of the Association of Specialized & Professional Accreditors (ASPA). Visit: www.caahep.org

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#2009 | September 24, 2019

Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu