GET THE SKILLS YOU NEED TO SHINE
Clinical duties vary, but may include:
- medical history and physicals
- vital signs
- patient education
- preparing and assisting patients for examinations
- phlebotomy
- electrocardiography (EKG)
- injections
Administrative duties include, but are not limited to:
- telephone triage
- patient reception and discharge
- electronic medical records
- insurance
- medical billing and coding
- correspondence
- inpatient and outpatient appointment scheduling
Students complete the following courses, preparing graduates for immediate employment as a medical assistant:
- Anatomy & Physiology I & II
- Business Communications
- Career Preparation
- Computers & Informatics
- Disease I & II
- Electronic Health Records
- Medical Coding
- Medical Math
- Medical Office Procedures
- Medical Terminology I & II
- Clinical Procedures I, II, & III
- Clinical Practicum (Externship)
Theory, onsite clinical experiences, and an externship are integrated into this intensive 9-month full-time program.
Upon successful completion of the Medical Assistant program, students are awarded a diploma. Students are eligible to sit for the national certification examination through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Additionally, students are also eligible to sit for the national certification examinations in phlebotomy, EKG, medical billing and coding, medical administrative assistant and medical assistant through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
From the August 2024 graduating class, 88% of the graduates secured employment in the healthcare field.
Medical assistants work alongside physicians, mainly in outpatient or ambulatory care facilities, such as medical offices and clinics. Medical assistants are an integral part of the healthcare team and work directly with providers and patients, with the goal of providing healthcare and ensuring patient safety.
Medical assistants can perform both administrative and clinical duties, filling several roles in a variety of healthcare environments. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 14 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. It is a position with a great deal of responsibility.
Graduates of the Medical Assistant program have been employed at local facilities including:
- Advanced Regional Center for Orthopedics and Podiatry
- Allegheny Pain Management
- Cardiology Associates of Altoona
- Conemaugh Nason Hospital
- EyeDoc Associates
- Oasis LifeCare
- Pediatric Care Specialists
- Reinhardt Family Practice
- UPMC Altoona Hospital
- UPMC Blair Medical Associates
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
- U.S. Digestive
Articulation Agreements
Students that successfully completed a health-related program in either CIP code 51.0899 or 51.9999 at a career and technology center or high school in Pennsylvania may be eligible to exempt from 9 credits (3 courses) in the Medical Assistant diploma program. Visit https://www.collegetransfer.net/ (select PA Bureau of CTE SOAR Programs under the Search menu) to learn more, or contact the Adult Education Office at (814) 941-8324 for more information.
Additionally, graduates of the GACTC Medical Assistant diploma program may be eligible to earn transfer credit into the GACTC Practical Nursing program. Contact the Adult Education Office at (814) 941-8324 or adulted@gactc.edu for more information!
Certification Opportunities
Graduates from the GACTC Medical Assistant Diploma program may be eligible to take the Certified Medical Assistant exam through the American Association of Medical Assistants (www.aama-ntl.org) upon completion of certification exam eligibility requirements. Additional certification opportunities include the following:
- OSHA 10-hour Healthcare certification
- Certifications through the National Healthcareer Association:
- Certified Clinical Medical Assistant
- Certified Medical Administrative Assistant
- Certified Phlebotomy Technician
- Certified EKG Technician
- Certified Medical Billing and Coding Specialist
Choose the program format that is best for you!
We offer two options to participate in the Medical Assistant diploma program! Review the program options below, and contact us to discuss which format is best for you!
- The traditional, in-person program is offered at the GACTC. The schedule for the in-person program is Mondays through Thursdays, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. The next session of our in-person program will begin September 21, 2026 and conclude June 25, 2027.
- We offer a hybrid format for the Medical Assistant program. Students will participate in courses asynchronously and remotely, and will attend in-person classes in the evenings at the GACTC twice per week. The in-person classes in the hybrid program allows students to participate in hands-on learning through simulation labs to learn and master competencies specific to the scope of a medical assistant. The program includes the same 240-hour internship as the in-person program, completed in the final term of the program at a local medical facility during dayshift hours. Students in the hybrid program may utilize the student services provided to adult students at the GACTC including access to the facility’s computer labs, study areas, advising, student activities, career assistance, and more! The next session of the hybrid program will begin January 25, 2027 and conclude on October 15, 2027.
Applicant Information
The GACTC welcomes all interested individuals to apply for admission into our career training programs. Review the admissions requirements and apply now at https://www.gactc.edu/adult-education/how-to-enroll/.
Prior to participation in the program’s clinical experiences at medical offices, a health examination form must be completed by a licensed medical professional. Students may be required to have a physical and should provide confirmation necessary vaccinations are current, per the health examination form. The form will be distributed to students after the first class session of the program. Vaccinations include: Hep B, MMR, Varicella, Tdap. Flu and Covid-19 vaccines may be required upon the clinical site’s request.
Students may also complete a drug screening prior to participation in the clinical experiences. The drug screening will be arranged by the GACTC.
Provider-level CPR certification is required. Additionally, students must complete a CPR course and submit to the GACTC the CPR certification card, valid through the anticipated completion of the program.
“The MA graduates from the Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center come in to the work place with a professional demeanor, and are well prepared to practice within the medical field. We have been extremely satisfied with the quality in the student graduates.”
“The students from the Phlebotomy and Medical Assistant programs have been spot on when arriving to clinical rounds. They are well taught, ask questions, and are always willing to learn. These programs have provided quality individuals to facilities as employees at a time when healthcare needs them most.”
“This is a fantastic program! Having had students in the office for shadowing, externships, and eventually hiring, I have typically found them to be very knowledgeable and competent. Students complete a very rigorous and comprehensive program to ensure that they are fully prepared to complete the certification testing, which is truly an added bonus whenever applying for positions in the medical field. This program is a true asset to the Altoona region. Thank you for all of your hard work for this program, adult students, and the medical community.”
The medical assistant program is very personal. I worked one on one with Mrs. Zurenko and the other staff, and they accurately lead in a direction for the most successful education. This allowed me to be able to expand my knowledge and find what I liked in my career. I learned so much about myself taking this program. I didn’t know the medical field was for me until I took the chance. It was the best decision I could have made.
The MA program helped me not only with gaining medical skills, but also professional skills. I was taught how to present myself professionally, how to apply my skills accurately, and how to be confident in myself. It grew me as a person immensely. You have to be disciplined to complete and absorb so much information in a short amount of time.
Mrs. Zurenko was the best thing about the MA program. She got to know me in a personal way and pushed me to succeed when I needed it. She taught me to be
confident in myself and my education. While the program was very demanding, Mrs. Zurenko was always willing to help in any way possible.
-Sarah Murphy
Medical Assistant Graduate
Student Testimonial:
Medical Assistant
Medical Assistant Adult Education Program
POSSIBLE CERTIFICATIONS
- OSHA 10-hour Healthcare certification
- Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) through AAMA
- Certifications through the National Healthcareer Association:
- Certified Clinical Medical Assistant
- Certified Medical Administrative Assistant
- Certified Phlebotomy Technician
- Certified EKG Technician
- Certified Medical Billing and Coding Specialist
PROGRAM INFORMATION
Tuition & Fees for 2026-2027:
$15,680.00
*Includes an optional laptop. If laptop is not needed through the GACTC, the cost of the laptop is deducted from the fees. Please see the program flyer to view detailed tuition and fees.
Program Hours:
1,140
Schedule:
- In-person program: Next session is September 21, 2026 through June 25, 2027. Schedule is Mondays through Thursdays, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.. Classes are held at the GACTC.
- Hybrid program: Next session is January 25, 2027 through October 15, 2027. Students will participate in courses asynchronously and remotely, and will attend in-person classes in the evenings at the GACTC twice per week. In-person class sessions will be two weekday evenings per week, 4:30 to 8:30 pm. The clinical practicum is typically completed during dayshift hours.
Contact the Adult Education Office at (814) 941-8324 to learn more!
TAKE THE
NEXT STEP
Please contact us to schedule a tour and to meet with a career counselor to discuss your career goals and this program. Complete this short form to request more information and to schedule a tour, or call us at 814.941.TECH.
We welcome your application to the Medical Assistant program.
