The faculty is dedicated to fostering a learning environment that encourages trust and interaction to achieve the overall goal of providing a diverse community with well-prepared, professional medical assistants who are capable of providing quality health care. The Yakima Valley Community College Medical Assisting Program offers two program options. An Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting is being developed and may be available in the future. Careers The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that employment of medical assistants is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2006 as the health service industry expands due to technological advances in medicine and a population that is growing and aging. Students attend academic and vocational classes on campus and are assigned to clinical externships in the Yakima area.
Clinical experience is a program requirement, and no stipend or salary is provided.
During the program, students are responsible for providing their own transportation to clinical program placements and should anticipate additional expenses for field trips, gas, and assigned classroom projects. A limited number of student positions are available. Application forms and all admission materials listed below must be on file with the Medical Assisting Department by May 1 for acceptance into the program Fall Quarter. A preliminary screening of all files is made by May 15. Qualifying candidates may be interviewed by the instructor.