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NHC medical assistant program accepting applications for fall 2007

One of North Harris College’s newest health care programs is currently accepting applications for the fall 2007. Medical assisting, a three-semester certificate program, requires 39 credit hours in medical assisting courses. Students completing this program will be prepared for entry into a wide-variety of healthcare settings, particularly the physician's office. Medical assistants support physicians in their offices or other medical locales performing a broad range of duties such as taking vital signs, assisting the physician with examinations or minor procedures, performing EKGs, phlebotomy, performing basic laboratory tests, and administering medications. The course also includes a business/administrative component comprising such responsibilities as scheduling appointments, recordkeeping, billing and coding, transcription and microcomputer applications. Upon completion of the program, students can seek certification from the American Association of Medical Assistants when candidates successfully complete the CMA Examination. Like other professional designations, the CMA is evidence of competence in a demanding field.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical assistants is expected to grow much faster than average for all occupations through the year 2014 as the health care industry expands because of technological advances in medicine and the growth and aging of the population. Increasing utilization of medical assistants in the rapidly growing health care industry will further stimulate job growth. In fact, the medical assistant field is projected to be one of the fastest growing occupations over the 2004–14 period. In 2006, the median annual earnings of medical assistants were $27, 332 with the highest ten percent earning more than $34,650.

Admission to the program requires acceptable reading and writing scores and attendance at an information session. Class size is limited and classes are scheduled in the daytime. In addition to an NHC college application, a separate application is made to the program. All forms are available for download at northharris.lonestar.edu Web site under the health and human services division. Applications will be due Monday, July 2, 2007. Information sessions for this new program are scheduled as follows: Thursday, Apr. 12, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.; Tuesday, May 22, 6 to 7 p.m.; and Tuesday, June 12, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. All sessions will be located on the NHC campus in the Winship Building, room WN-165. No reservations are required.

For more information, call Carla M. Porter, academic counselor for NHC’s health and human services division at 281.765.7836 or e-mail at carla.porter@lonestar.edu.

North Harris College is located at 2700 W.W. Thorne Drive, one half mile south of FM 1960 East, between Aldine-Westfield and Hardy Roads. Registration for summer is now in progress. For more information about the college, call 281.618.5400 or visit: northharris.lonestar.edu.

NHMCCD, among the five largest and fastest growing community colleges in Texas, comprise, Cy-Fair College, Kingwood College, Montgomery College, North Harris College, Tomball College, six satellite centers, and The University Center.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 03/13/2007
CALENDAR LISTING: Through Apr. 23

For media inquiries please contact:

CeCe.Sutphen@lonestar.edu
281.618-5425 desk
281.618-7105 fax
281.639-6381 cell

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