Certificate
Redwood Campus
Table Rock Campus
Entry Requirements
The Medical Assistant Bridge Career Pathway Certificate is a special admission program, which means you must complete additional requirements and a separate application process beyond general college admission. This pathway is designed for currently employed medical administrative professionals who want to transition into a clinical medical assistant role within their organization. The program begins each fall and spring term and allows you to complete practicum training at your current workplace with employer support.
To be eligible for the program, you must have at least 500 hours of experience working in a medical front office role, such as a medical administrative assistant, patient service specialist, medical receptionist or administrative assistant in a health care setting. You should have experience with patient scheduling, check-in and screening, telecommunications, customer service, electronic health records and basic insurance or billing processes, along with strong professional communication skills.
Applicants must also provide two letters of recommendation from their current health care employer and complete a Clinical Training Agreement signed by the student, employer and RCC.
Priority application deadlines typically fall in early June for fall admission and mid-December for spring admission, with final deadlines later in each term.
Getting Started
Follow this step to prepare for and apply to the Medical Assistant Bridge Career Pathway
Certificate.
Step 1: Discuss the program with your employer.
Review the Medical Assistant Bridge Program Guide together to confirm employer support
for workplace practicum training.
Medical Assistant Bridge Program Guide
Step 2: Attend an Information Session.
Step 3: Gather application materials.
Obtain two letters of recommendation from your current or previous health care employer.
Step 4: Continue to the Application Process page.
Allied Health Occupations Info Session
Attendees receive information about the criteria and possible career opportunities in the field; local employment opportunities with wage ranges; how to apply for admission; academic requirements for the certificate program and more.
Watching an Allied Health Occupations info session is mandatory for students applying to the Medical Assistant and Medical Assistant Bridge programs.
Clinical Practicum Experience
In the Medical Assistant Bridge Career Pathway Certificate program, your clinical practicum takes place at your current workplace, allowing you to build clinical medical assistant skills in a familiar health care environment. With support from your employer and program instructors, you will apply what you learn in class directly to patient care tasks and clinical workflows.
During the practicum, you will strengthen clinical skills, practice professional communication and gain experience working as part of a health care team in an expanded role. Completing practicum hours at your job site helps you transition more quickly from a medical administrative position to a clinical medical assistant role within your organization.
Graduation Requirements
The Medical Assistant Bridge Certificate requires the completion of 22-30 program credits in addition to 0-4 prerequisite credits, which may be waived based on placement. Students must complete all courses outlined in this program with a grade of “C” or better to earn a certificate. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an Academic Advisor or faculty advisor before beginning any coursework.
See the Program Map in our academic catalog for specific course requirements.
Medical Assistant Bridge Program Map
For additional guidance, contact an Academic or your Allied Health Advisor to review the Program Map and develop a plan aligned with your goals.