Medical Assistant
Available in State College, Altoona, and Lewistown
The Medical Assistant program at South Hills will prepare you to use both administrative and clinical skills in a medical setting. Students learn to perform tasks such as records management and billing, as well as clinical procedures ranging from collecting specimens to administering medication (as state law permits).
Our MA graduates work alongside physicians in a wide variety of settings, including: medical and surgical hospitals, medical offices and clinics, physicians’ offices, outpatient care centers, ambulatory care facilities, and professional schools. Other career opportunities include: electrocardiography technician, phlebotomist, and emergency department technician.
* The specialized associate degree Medical Assistant program is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). Upon successful completion of the Medical Assistant program, graduates are eligible to apply to take the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) examination through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
“One unique feature of our program is that students complete their competencies before their internship. As a result, we receive a lot of compliments from the internship sites, and many of those internships turn into full-time jobs for the students.”
Objectives and Skills
Through a comprehensive educational training program including attention to theory, practice, and application, students in the Medical Assistant program will develop the knowledge, skills, and attributes:
- To prepare the student to function competently at an entry level, principally in a physician’s office or clinic.
- To provide adequate information, demonstration, and practice of medical assistant administrative skills for the healthcare field to insure student competency in this area.
- To provide adequate information, demonstration, and practice of medical assistant clinical skills for the healthcare field to insure student competency in this area.
- To provide adequate information, demonstration, and practice of medical assistant laboratory skills for the healthcare field to insure student competency in this area.
- To provide an adequate foundation of knowledge in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, disease processes and conditions.
- To provide an adequate foundation of knowledge and hands on practice to understand proper aseptic techniques, and diagnostic and treatment procedures commonly performed in the physician’s office.
- To prepare the student for employment in the health care field, emphasizing the need for maturity, responsibility, and attention to detail that is essential for all health care employees.
- To provide the student with information and skills needed to take the CMA (AAMA) exam.
At the completion of this program, the student will be able to:
- Communicate effectively and professionally in speech and in writing.
- Use appropriate technological tools to assist in the efficient completion of assigned job responsibilities.
- Perform administrative duties as assigned in a medical office.
- Perform clinical duties as assigned in a medical office.
- Conduct themselves appropriately in order to maintain positive working relationships with employers, co-workers, and clients.
- Acquire the background knowledge necessary in order to understand historical and current business practices in their field.
- Function competently in a business environment, displaying traits of and meeting expectations for a valued employee.
- Identify print and electronic resources to continually expand their knowledge and skills through on-going professional development.
- Respect confidential information obtained through employment unless legally authorized or required by responsible performance of duty to divulge such information.
Complete Course List
Medical Assistant Course List for 2019-20
This program information appears in the 2019-20 school catalog.
| Term | Course # | Course Name | Credits | Clock Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Term | MD102 | Anatomy & Physiology I | 5.5 | 60 |
| MD103 | Anatomy & Physiology I Lab | 0.5 | 10 | |
| GE207 | Applied Psychology in Health Care | 3.0 | 36 | |
| GE183 | Business English I | 4.0 | 60 | |
| HI228 | Introduction to the Health Care Field | 4.0 | 60 | |
| OS103 | Keyboarding | 1.0 | 20 | |
| MD108 | Medical Terminology I | 3.0 | 36 | |
| PD110 | Professional Development | 2.0 | 24 | |
| Totals: | 23.0 | 306 | ||
| Second Term | MD106 | Anatomy & Physiology II | 5.5 | 60 |
| MD107 | Anatomy & Physiology II Lab | 0.5 | 10 | |
| GE184 | Business English II | 4.0 | 60 | |
| GE179 | Mathematics for Health Care Professionals | 4.0 | 60 | |
| MD109 | Medical Terminology II | 3.0 | 36 | |
| CP284 | Microsoft Word | 4.5 | 60 | |
| Totals: | 21.5 | 286 | ||
| Third Term | GE210 | Business English III | 3.5 | 60 |
| MA206 | Clinical Skills | 4.5 | 60 | |
| MA200 | Electrocardiography | 4.5 | 60 | |
| HI226 | ICD Coding I | 4.5 | 60 | |
| HI102 | Pathophysiology | 5.5 | 60 | |
| Totals: | 22.5 | 300 | ||
| Fourth Term | HI225 | CPT-4 | 4.0 | 48 |
| HI227 | ICD Coding II | 4.5 | 60 | |
| MA103 | Laboratory Procedures | 3.5 | 60 | |
| MD240 | Medical Administrative Skills I | 4.5 | 60 | |
| CP287 | Microsoft Excel | 4.5 | 60 | |
| MD242 | Pharmacology | 3.0 | 36 | |
| Totals: | 24.0 | 324 | ||
| Fifth Term | GE178 | Human Relations in the Workplace | 2.5 | 36 |
| CD207 | Job Search Skills | 2.0 | 24 | |
| HI229 | Medical Legal Aspects | 3.0 | 36 | |
| MA201 | Medical Seminar | 2.5 | 36 | |
| GE213 | Oral Business Communications | 2.0 | 24 | |
| MA204 | Phlebotomy | 4.5 | 60 | |
| MD212 | Principles of Medical Insurance | 4.5 | 60 | |
| Totals: | 21.0 | 276 | ||
| Sixth Term | CD106 | Career Preparation | 0.5 | 10 |
| CD201 | Certification Preparation for the Medical Assistant | 2.0 | 21 | |
| MA203 | Medical Assistant Internship | 11.0 | 330 | |
| Totals: | 13.5 | 361 | ||
| MA PROGRAM TOTAL CREDITS | MA PROGRAM TOTAL HOURS | |||
| 125.5 Credits | 1,853 Clock Hours |
Careers in Medical Assistant
Our MA graduates work alongside physicians, mainly in outpatient or ambulatory care facilities, such as medical offices and clinics. Other opportunities include:
- Electrocardiography Technician
- Phlebotomist
- Emergency Department Technician
Our students are placed in outstanding internship environments where they have the opportunity to put their classroom experience to work in the real world prior to graduation. We have placed interns at locations including but not limited to:
- Allegheny Regional Endoscopy (Blair Gastroenterology)
- Altoona Heart and Vascular Institute
- Blair Medical Associates
- Blair Orthopedics, Altoona PA
- Geisinger
- Martin and Suhey Orthopedics
- Mount Nittany Physician’s Group
- Nason Hospital
- Pediatric HealthCare Associates, Altoona PA
- Penn Highlands Center For Childrens Care
- State College Family Medicine
- Susquehanna Health
- Tyrone Medical Associates
- UPMC Altoona
- Women’s Laser and HealthCare
South Hills Medical Assistant graduates are well-trained and in demand for their skillsets and work ethics. Some of the many locations employing our graduates including but not limited to:
- Advanced Regional Center for Ankle and Foot Care
- Allegheny Regional Endoscopy (Blair Gastroenterology)
- Altoona Heart and Vascular Institute
- Altoona Lung Specialists
- Blair Medical Associates
- Dr. Nalin G. Patel
- Geisinger
- Huntingdon Healthcare, Inc.
- Lung Center, Williamsport Hospital
- Mount Nittany Physician’s Group
- Penn Highlands Center For Childrens Care
- Susquehanna Health
- Tyrone Medical Associates
- UPMC Altoona
- Women’s Laser and HealthCare
Meet the Faculty
Crystal Douglas
Program Coordinator / Instructor
State College Main Campus
Crystal Douglas has been the Medical Assistant Program Coordinator at the State College campus since the program’s launch at South Hills School of Business & Technology in 2009. She is a Certified Medical Assistant (AAMA), and a Surgical Technologist with over 15 years experience in the allied healthcare field.
Crystal graduated from Mount Aloysius College and has worked for primary care physicians and several specialties including Endocrinology, Surgery, and Behavioral Health. Crystal brings her expertise and experiences from the healthcare community to her classroom, motivating and challenging while educating her South Hills MA students.
Pam Meister
Instructor
State College Main Campus
Pam Meister has taught at South Hills for 18 years. Pam is an instructor of anatomy and physiology and other health-related classes. She is a graduate of York College of Pennsylvania with a BSN in Nursing. Pam has practiced throughout the U.S. in the areas of Medical-Surgical, Psychiatric, and OR Nursing. She is a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International which promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education. She is also a member of the Anatomy & Physiology Society, Inc., which is dedicated to promoting excellence in the teaching of human anatomy and physiology.
Brenda Ream Stover, RHIT CCS CPC
Instructor
State College Main Campus
Brenda previously served at Centre Community Hospital [Mount Nittany Medical Center] for 12 years as a transcriptionist, coder, and later as a supervisor for the coding and transcription departments.
Brenda’s accreditations include:
• Certified Professional Coder (CPC), AAPC July 2013
• Approved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer, AHIMA September 2009
• Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), AHIMA September 1998
• Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT), AHIMA November 1991
She holds the following professional memberships:
• AHIMA—American Health Information Management Association
• PHIMA— Pennsylvania Health Information Management Association
• CPHIMA—Central Pennsylvania Health Information Management Association
• AAPC—American Academy of Professional Coders
Suzanne Feathers
Program Coordinator / Instructor
Altoona Campus
Suzanne Feathers is the Medical Assistant Program Coordinator for Altoona South Hills campus. Suzanne specializes in allied health education for Medical Assistant, Administrative Medical Assistant, and Health Information Technology students. Before joining the South Hills family, Suzanne was an educator at Computer Learning Network and Cambria-Rowe Business College, where she spent over twelve years as an Allied Health Instructor, Program Coordinator and Program Director.
Suzanne holds AHIMA certifications in Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) and as an AHIMA ICD10CM/PCS Coding Trainer. She has been a Certified Medical Assistant since 1995, becoming an LPN in 2012. Suzanne holds a Master’s degree in Health Administration with a minor in Education.
Her professional experience includes employment in skilled nursing facilities, physicians’ offices (including Family Practice and several specialists) working in the capacity of Office Manager, Insurance Billing and Coding Specialist, Medical Assistant, and LPN. She also served several years as a phlebotomist for American Red Cross.
Mary Prorok
Instructor
Altoona Campus
Mary Prorok is the Administrative Medical Assistant advisor for South Hills Altoona campus. Mary specializes in allied health education for medical assistants, administrative medical assistants, and health information technology students. Mary earned her RN associate degree from Mount Aloysius College and continued her education from Saint Francis College and Indiana University of Pennsylvania earning a bachelor's and master's degree in nursing.
Her nursing experience includes staff nursing on a medical-surgical unit, mental health instructor in a hospital school of nursing, and adjunct faculty at Mount Aloysius College. She is also currently an instructor of CPR and First Aid classes through the American Heart Association.
Mary has interest and experience in complementary medicine and that adds a holistic approach to the student and to the classroom.
Laina DeCriscio, CMA (AAMA)
Program Coordinator / Instructor
Lewistown Campus
Laina DeCriscio has been the Medical Assistant Program Coordinator for South Hills School of Business & Technology’s Lewistown location since late 2017. Laina received her medical assisting education from Des Moines Area Community College in Des Moines, Iowa. She has been practicing as a medical assistant for the past 10 years in both family practice and urgent care settings. Laina also received her Bachelors of Biology from Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa.
Cindy McCracken
Adjunct Instructor
Lewistown Campus
Cindy McCracken came to South Hills in 2015 with 18 years of previous teaching experience in the administrative and clinical medical assistant fields. She has a BSN degree from Goshen College in Indiana and an Education Specialist Certification from PSU. She has experience as a school nurse, a pediatric office nurse, and a coder for a general surgeon.
Her home is in Huntingdon where she lives with her husband, John. They have 4 children and 5 grandchildren. Besides teaching and family life, backpacking through Israel, Switzerland, Germany, and France; living in Arizona, Bermuda, and Massachusetts; and spending 3 months in an internship on the island of Guadeloupe have given her many unusual experiences.
Program Advisory Committees
| Member Name | Job Title | Company |
| Jennifer Longstreth | ACCESS Manager | Geisinger Gray's Woods |
| Shannon Hilliard | Nurse Leader Primary Care | Mount Nittany Physician Group |
| Rian Roan | Revenue Cycle Manager | Mount Nittany Physician Group |
| Hannah Killinger, CPC | Remote Coder | Conifer Health Solutions |
| Laura Moss | Dirctor Revenue Cycle | Mount Nittany Physician Group |
| Kathy Kocet | Nurse Leader Medical Specialties | Mount Nittany Physician Group |
| Ashley Shuey | Certified Medical Assistant | Mount Nittany Physician Group |
| Mary Bressler | Office Manager | Complete Medical Billing Solutions |
| Member Name | Job Title | Company |
| Amy Reighard | Administrator | Blair Gastroenterology |
| Anna O'Shall | Office Manager | John Anastasi, MD |
| Ann Marie Bomba | Office Manager | ENT Associates of Central PA |
| Carrie Moreno | Clinical Director | Allegheny Regional Endoscopy |
| Deb Pecka | Owner | Reiki Center for Body and Mind |
| Kaitlyn Gates-Franks | Technician | UPMC Altoona |
| Mary Altmanshofer | Office Manager | Bert Altmanshofer, DPM & Associates, LTD |
| Mary Myers | Office Manager | Altoona Ophthalmology Associates |
| Michelle Smith | Office Manager | Pediatric Health Care Associates |
| Rachel McMullen | Manager | Blair Orthopedics |
| Savannah Esmaili | Medical Assistant | Blair Medical Associates |
| Toni Bissaco | Office Manager | Women's Laser and Health Care |
| Gina Lechene | MSN | UPMC Altoona |
| Member Name | Job Title | Company |
| Sherri Ard | Registered Nurse, BSN | Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital |
| Holly Baker | Registered Medical Assistant | Geisinger-Women's Health |
| Andrea Brechbiel | Registered Medical Assistant | Broad Top Area Medical-Pediatric Care Center |
| Tracey Carolus | Talent Acquisition | Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital |
| Patricia Davidson | Outreach Worker | The Primary Health Network |
| Eric Egelman, DPM | Podiatrist/Practice Owner | Egelman Foot & Ankle |
| Lauren Fisher | LPN/Health Coach | Primary Health Network |
| Kirk Gilbert, Ph. D. | Science Instructor/Rural Health Educator | PSU Learning Center |
| Mary Alyce Nelson, MSN, RN | Assistant & Director of Clinical Services/ Director of Nursing | PSU Health Services |
| Phyllis Palm | Registered Nurse | Retired-Lewistown Hospital Administrator |
| Jody Peters | LPN/Office Manager | Primary Health Network |
| Tiffany Walden | Registered Medical Assistant | Mount Nittany Pediatrics |
| Taylor Yetter | Registered Medical Assistant | Primary Health Network |
| Kenton Stuck | Owner CEO/Realtor | In Home Services of Central PA |
For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please view the Medical Assistant Disclosures page on our website.
MA Graduates Can Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Only Two Years with St. Francis University!
South Hills students graduating with the Associate in Specialized Business Degree in Medical Assistant are eligible for a bachelor degree completion program in Healthcare Management or Health Studies through St. Francis University Office of Adult Degree & Continuing Studies.
Finish your Bachelor of Science degree in Healthcare Management or Health Studies in only two years or less through online, weekend, and evening classes in State College or Altoona. South Hills students will be guaranteed acceptance with a 2.0 GPA and up to 64 credits from our HIT program will automatically transfer into the program. Students and alumni may transfer in additional credits through military or other colleges as applicable, accepting up to 98 credits. The customizable curriculum allows you to take as few or as many classes as you want so you can balance work, family, and life. Financial aid is available to those who qualify. This program can also be completed fully online. Both programs are also fully online.
For more information about Bachelor's degree completion, visit the St. Francis website or call the Office of Adult Degree & Continuing Studies at 814-472-3012.
