Programs handbooks

Medical Assisting: Program overview

About

Welcome to PCC and the HEP Pathway

Welcome to Portland Community College and the start of your path to a rewarding career!

The Healthcare & Emergency Professions (HEP) pathway provides opportunities for students to gain certificates, degrees, licensure, and/or credentials to further their careers in healthcare and emergency services fields. Many of our programs provide hands-on learning opportunities with advanced technology, practical training in clinical settings, and instructors with industry experience. Program graduates are in high demand in the healthcare and emergency professions industry and have the potential to earn excellent wages and benefits.

For more information about the Healthcare & Emergency Professions pathway, see the programs offered. See the Healthcare programs comparison chart to compare degrees and certificates offered, program costs, and potential salaries offered in each career path.

About Medical Assisting

As a vital member of the healthcare team, medical assistants play a crucial role in patient care, working alongside doctors, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners in various healthcare settings. With a projected 23.3% job growth through 2032 in Oregon, and average salaries in the Portland area reaching $49,950 annually, this rewarding career path offers both stability and promising earning potential.

PCC’s Medical Assisting (MA) program stands out with unique offerings such as flexible class formats, a guaranteed admissions process, and instructors who are program graduates themselves. Our commitment to person-centered care, comprehensive curriculum, and supportive learning environment sets our graduates apart. Join us and embark on a fulfilling career as a highly skilled and sought-after medical assistant.

Mission and values

The mission of Portland Community College’s Medical Assisting program is to prepare individuals to be successful key players within a healthcare team. This is accomplished by intensive academic studies coupled with clinical partnerships in the community. Our program is designed around successful identification of the following essential skills; communication, professionalism, critical thinking, and attitude. Our goal is to provide students with the necessary knowledge and essential skills to become strong, confident, and capable working professionals within the healthcare community.

Goals and objectives

Program expectation goal

The goal of the Portland Community College Medical Assisting program is to prepare competent entry-level medical assistants who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession.

Program objectives

The following objectives are derived from the college objectives developed by the Strategic Planning Steering Committee:

  1. To offer a Medical Assisting program that is regularly assessed and updated in order to maintain technical standards and to meet the needs of students and the community.
  2. To teach using traditional and innovative instructional methods, materials, and equipment.
  3. To provide students with accessible library collections and learning resources.
  4. To provide students with opportunities to broaden their awareness and understanding of our diverse society.

Graduate achievement

PCC’s Medical Assisting program takes immense pride in the achievements of its graduates. The program’s commitment to student success is evident in the consistently high retention, national exam pass, and job placement rates. Graduates not only excel in their roles as medical assistants but also leverage their foundational knowledge and skills to pursue advanced healthcare careers. A number of program alumni have successfully transitioned into nursing, physician assisting, clinic management, and other fulfilling healthcare professions. PCC fosters a learning environment that empowers students to reach their full potential and make a lasting impact on the healthcare field.

PCC program outcomes (CAAHEP)

The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) requires all CAAHEP accredited Medical Assisting programs to publish information regarding program outcomes and make them available to prospective students. The following information is based on a five-year average (2018–2022).

  • 96.94% graduation on time
  • 100% employer satisfaction rate
  • 100% student satisfaction rate
  • 93.93% national exam pass rate

Updated information on program outcomes will be received in spring and posted to the Medical Assisting webpage.

Accreditation

Portland Community College is regionally accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). For more information, see the college’s Accreditation webpage.

Portland Community College Medical Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB).

The contact information is:
25400 US Highway 19 North, Suite 158, Clearwater, FL 33763
Phone: 727-210-2350

To file a complaint with CAAHEP, see their complaints regarding CAAHEP-accredited programs webpage.

Costs

In addition to the costs of attending Portland Community College, there are costs associated specifically with the Medical Assisting program. Students should anticipate the costs listed on the Medical Assisting program costs webpage. Note: all costs are approximate and subject to change.

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Janeen Hull
PCC – Academic & Career Pathways Dean

See the PCC Organizational Guide for information about college administration.

Contacts

Portland Community College
Cascade Campus
705 N. Killingsworth Street
Portland, Oregon 97217

Willow Creek Opportunity Center
241 SW Edgeway Dr.
Hillsboro, OR 97006

Sylvania Campus
12000 SW 49th Ave.
Portland, OR 97219

College mailing address:
PO Box 19000
Portland, Oregon 97280-0990

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Academic overview