CMA - Medical Assistant (Cert)
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Additional Information
Applicant Requirements:
Applicants may be high school seniors and must provide proof of high school graduation or a General Educational Development (GED) credential to be considered for admission to the Medical Assistant Certificate program.
All applicants applying for admission into the MA program must complete and meet the following requirements:
Immunizations
Students must have proof of all immunization requirements before applying to the MA program. Students without proof of completed immunizations will not be considered for entrance into the program. NO EXEMPTIONS!
Completed Hepatitis B Series
Please note: The Texas Department of State Health Services requires that all students enrolled in health profession programs that are exposed to blood and body fluid must have completed the Hepatitis B Series prior to direct patient care. The Hepatitis B Series includes three injections. Hepatitis B is a 3-stage series that will take at least 6 months to administer. There is also a two-stage series that can be administered in place.
Meningitis (MV)
Please note: Texas Legislature approved Senate Bill 1107 requiring all entering university students under the aged of 22 to submit evidence of being immunized against meningococcal meningitis.
Mumps, Measles, Rubella (MMR)
Varicella
Tetanus and Diphtheria
Tuberculosis test, within the last 12 months: (If the TB test comes back positive, then results from a current annual chest x-ray will need to be provided.)
Influenza
Please note: Rotation sites have the right to refuse students who have asked for exemptions from immunization. For that reason, we are unable to offer immunization exemptions for students.
CPR Certification (If hold certification)
Basic Life Support (BLS training from the American Heart Association CPR is given in the program but must provide if a student wants to be exempt.
Please note: Students must possess a current BLS CPR healthcare provider card. The student’s card must not expire while participating in the MA program. If your BLS CPR healthcare provider card expires during your time in the program, you may be pulled from your clinical site education.
Background Screening
An acceptable level -3 criminal background screening will be required for all beginning the program. Students with criminal charges and /or convictions may not be eligible for admission.
If an applicant has been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony, the applicant may be denied acceptance to the university without further reason. If the applicant should be granted acceptance, the applicant acknowledges that he/she may not be able to obtain clinical experience, licensure in a/any state upon graduation based on his/her criminal record. The applicant will agree that the university will not be held liable in the case of failure to progress in clinical rotation and /or achieve licensure. Failure to disclose a misdemeanor or felony to the university is grounds for dismissal.
Drug Screening
A drug and alcohol screening will be required for all students beginning the program.
If a student submits any healthcare degree which requires licensure (RT. RN. LPN/LVN. PA. DC. MD.), the student must also submit proof of good standing.
Computer Skills and Access
Medical Assistant students are required to demonstrate a variety of computer skills throughout the program. All students must be able to access the Parker University's online teaching platform, for instruction and dissemination of information. Some MA courses may operate with part of the content to be completed online, and the remainder of the content delivered in the on-campus setting. Students are assigned a Parker University email address upon admission to the University. Students may utilize library computers on campus to check their Parker University email accounts and to access the university's Learning Management System (LMS). The LMS and email accounts should be checked frequently for assignments, announcements and/or messages.
Clinical Experiences
Clinical Education is an important part of the curriculum of the Medical Assisting Program. Supervised clinical experience is essential for professional preparation, as it provides the students with a “hands-on” opportunity to integrate academic knowledge with clinical skills in a professional setting.
Students are not allowed to receive compensation for hours worked during clinical experience. Students will be graded on clinical performance just as they are classroom instruction.
Every effort will be made to provide local clinical experiences; however, students are not guaranteed local clinical placements and should expect clinical experience to be outside the area requiring traveling to and from the facility or possible relocation. Students do not have the option of choosing their clinical site or shift.
Prior to clinical experiences students will be required to provide proof of statement of good health, immunization record, medical/health insurance, CPR/BLS, drug screening and level-3 background check. If a student has a felony or misdemeanor on their record, they may not be placed in the clinical setting. This may interfere with their ability to graduate.
Interactions with patients in health care carries inherent risks to both the patient and health care provider. Students participating in the Medical Assisting Program may be exposed to blood, body tissues or fluids and communicable diseases. All students are expected to provide appropriate care to all assigned patients regardless of their medical diagnosis. Some of the medical diagnoses’ patients may have include tuberculosis, MRSA, hepatitis A, B, or C, HIV, COVID-19 or other transmittable diseases. Students may also care for patients who are unidentified carriers of infectious disease. As in many health professions and programs, students may occasionally be exposed to bodily injuries and environmental hazards.
Technical Standards
In addition to academic and performance standards, students must be able to meet and maintain the following technical standards for the purpose of admission and continuation in the program:
Communicate Effectively: Ability to interact with patients and healthcare professionals in both written and verbal form. Be able to articulate in a clear and distinct manner procedures, instructions and oral reports.
Cognitive: Ability to execute complex mental processes. Obtain and retain didactic knowledge including many procedures and protocols with the ability to apply this knowledge for the purpose of collecting, interpreting, and integrating information to make decisions.
Coordination: Gross body coordination such as maintain balance, hand-eye coordination, arm-hand steadiness and precision. Dexterity to operate control panel while manipulating transducer simultaneously.
Visual and Hearing: Ability to distinguish color on Doppler procedures as well as various shades of graph while performing sonograms. Hearing must be adequate to perceive and interpret equipment signals, monitor alarms, and calls for help.
Stamina: Ability to push/pull objects in excess of fifty (50) pounds. Ability to stand during examinations and long procedures. Lift and transfer patients from wheelchair or stretcher to and from examination table. Assist patients into proper position for examination.
Emotional Stability: Ability to adapt and function under stress. Deal with the unexpected and adapt to change. Perform multiple tasks and responsibilities concurrently. Possess a strong work ethic, compassion, and integrity.
Please note: Student is subject to dismissal if after admission to the Medical Assisting Program it is discovered that a student cannot meet the technical standards.
Readmission Requirements
Students who withdraw or are dismissed from the program must apply for readmission according to university policy. No preferential consideration is given to prior students for readmission. Students will be readmitted one time only if the cumulative GPA and programmatic requirements are met in addition to the program not exceeding maximum class capacity.
Physical Requirements
Medical Assisting students must exhibit good physical health and endurance. Due to the nature of the coursework and clinical content, sufficient physical strength is required for lifting and moving patients and handling equipment in a clinical setting. Ability to stand or sit for up to eight hours per day and lift fifty pounds. This may include lifting, pulling, bending, and squatting. Additional requirements include but are not limited to clinical reasoning, attention to detail, efficiency, excellent hand/eye coordination, clearly distinguish color, ability to hear differences in sound and compassion. Direct patient contact may include invasive procedures and bodily fluids.
Persons with disabilities are eligible for admission if they can carry out classroom, laboratory and clinical assignments, patient intake, assessment and techniques, or the equivalent; pass written, oral and practical examinations and meet all the requirements of the school and program. Parker University will make reasonable accommodations for disabilities. Applicants and students are welcome to discuss any disabilities that they believe will hinder completion of the curriculum. In considering a prospective or actual applicant who discloses a disability, Parker University may require an interview to determine if the individual meets the physical qualifications to complete the program. The Office of Student Services can provide more information regarding accommodations that Parker University might be able to provide.
Tuition and fees
All charges, including tuition and fees, are due and payable on or before the date of the term's first class. Payment plans must be signed by the second Friday after the term start date for students enrolling in the full term of first attendance date for students enrolling after the start of the term.
For detailed information about tuition fees, and the total cost of attendance, visit: www.parker.edu/tuition
Additional expenses
In addition to the above expenses, MA students should expect to have the following expenses:
Immunizations
Background and drug screening
Trajecsys (clinical tracking system)
Textbooks: see textbook list for more details
School supplies
Computer with internet access (for accessing Parker LMS, online course materials, and assignments)
Costs of attending clinical experiences including meals, travel, parking, scrubs, room and board (if necessary), and any other costs incurred with clinical education courses.
supplies such as a stethoscope and blood pressure cuff
Uniform:
Clinical: plain-colored (program specific - red scrubs) with the Parker University logo
On-Campus: red scrubs
Plain, solid-colored, close-toed shoes
Lab coat (optional)
Students must provide proof of the following prior to attending clinical experiences:
CPR/BLS certification (class offered at Parker University or show proof of completion)
Professional liability insurance
All Health Science students are required to carry professional liability insurance. This type of insurance is automatically purchased through Parker University’s registration fees. Liability coverage for the students’ clinical education does not apply outside scheduled clinical affiliation time.
Environmental requirements
Interaction with patients in health care carries inherent risks to both the patient and the health care provider. Students participating in the MA program may be exposed to blood, body tissues or fluids, and communicable diseases. All students are expected to provide appropriate care to all assigned patients regardless of their medical diagnosis. Some of the patients may have tuberculosis, MRSA, Hepatitis A, B, or C, C. Diff, HIV/AIDS, COVID-19 or other transmittable diseases. Students may also care for patients who are unidentified carriers of infectious diseases. As in many health professions and programs, students may occasionally be exposed to bodily injuries and environmental hazards.
Standards of Appearance
Proper professional dress and appearance are required. The MA program has a firm dress code guideline for all students (this includes fieldtrips and observation visits, clinical settings and campus). All attire must always be well-maintained and clean. General appearance encompassing conventional hairstyle and naturally occurring hair colors and conservative use of jewelry, make-up and accessories.
Daily baths, deodorant
Students having hair longer than collar length shall tie it back with no decorative adornment
Beards and facial hair shall be neatly trimmed
Perfumes, colognes, and aftershave are not allowed
Closed toe, light-in-color, clean shoes (no cloth or shoes with air holes on the top) with socks must be worn
Approved standardized scrubs with a plain white lab coat (optional)
Jewelry is limited to one ring on each hand (engagement rings, wedding rings, graduation rings) and wristwatch. One small post earring on each ear permitted. No other jewelry or body piercing allowed
Natural appearing make-up
Fingernails – clean, neat, trimmed short; nail polish may be limited to clear or neutral shades
No visible tattoos
Plain colored (program specific) scrubs with the Parker University logo fitting appropriately
Neckline must not be too low
Pants must not be too large or small and worn at the natural waist.
MA Attendance Policy
Attendance Expectations
Students are required to attend all scheduled clinical rotations, classes, and laboratory sessions at the assigned dates and times. Attendance is mandatory and directly impacts program progression.
Students must be present at the clinical site for the full scheduled shift. There is no make‑up time for missed clinical hours, and students are not permitted to stay late to compensate for absences or tardiness.
Mandatory Procedure for Calling Off
Failure to follow the procedures below will result in the student being considered a No Call/No Show and may lead to disciplinary action, including dismissal from the program.
Classroom/Lab Call‑Off Procedure
If a student is unable to attend a scheduled class or lab session:
The student must email the Program Director and the course instructor notifying them of the absence.
A phone call or text message may be used as supplemental communication; however, email documentation is required for the student file.
Submits an excused absence request form with documentation (i.e., doctor's note) via the link below. Student Affairs will review and verify the authenticity and validity of the documentation.
No Call/No Show and Tardiness
Students will be considered a no call/no show if required notification guidelines are not followed.
After one (1) occurrence of a no call/no show, the student will receive a written warning and be placed on probation. After a second occurrence of a no call/no show, the student will be subject to dismissal from the MA program.
Absences and Program Limits
Students are allowed a maximum of four (4) total absence days per program year, consecutive or intermittent, regardless of reason.
All absences must be reported through the Office of Student Affairs excused absence reporting system (Student Affairs link). Notification to faculty or clinical sites does not replace this requirement.
Absence Limits
The following are considered excessive absences:
Missing more than two (2) clinical days per rotation or
Missing more than four (4) didactic and/or laboratory days
Program Consequences
All absences count toward the absence limit, regardless of whether the absence is reported or approved through Student Affairs. Students who exceed the allowable number of absences will be subject to disciplinary action, which may include dismissal from the program.
Due to the sequential, competency‑based nature of the curriculum and required clinical hour minimums, excessive absences may prevent students from meeting program outcomes and accreditation requirements.
Tardiness Policy
If a student anticipates being tardy, they must notify the Program Director and Instructor as soon as possible, but no later than one (1) hour prior to the scheduled start time.
Students who arrive late to class must enter discreetly in order to minimize disruption to instruction.
Two (2) instances of tardiness of fifteen (15) minutes or more are equivalent to one (1) day of absence. An instance of tardiness is defined as missing more than fifteen (15) minutes of a scheduled class.
Habitual tardiness will not be tolerated. Frequent tardiness will result in a formal written warning. Continued or excessive tardiness may result in dismissal from the MA program.
Responsibility for Missed Content
Students are responsible for all coursework, clinical competencies, and laboratory material missed during any absence, regardless of the duration.
It is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor to arrange review of any missed laboratory material or assignments.
Appointments
Students should schedule personal appointments (including medical and dental appointments) outside of scheduled school and clinical hours whenever possible. If it becomes necessary to attend an appointment during scheduled school or clinical time, the absence will be counted unless prior approval is obtained from the Program Director.
Appointments required by funding agencies should also be scheduled outside of school hours whenever possible. Students are responsible for informing those agencies of the program’s attendance policies.
Pro-Rated Attendance
Students who re‑enter the program at any point during the curriculum will be assigned a pro‑rated allowable absence for both classroom and clinical attendance. Re‑entering students will not receive the full number of allowable absence hours granted to students beginning the program at its start.
The assigned pro‑rated absence allowance will be reviewed and discussed with the student at the time of re‑entry. Re‑entering students who exceed their allotted absence hours will be subject to dismissal from the program.
Illness During Class / Lab
To protect the health and safety of others, students suspected of having a communicable illness will be sent home from class or laboratory activities. Any time missed will be deducted in accordance with program attendance requirements.
Holidays and Time Off
Students will follow the College of Health Science academic calendar for all major holidays and scheduled breaks during the didactic portion of the MA program. Refer to the Clinical Holidays and Time Off Policy for information regarding clinical rotations.
Inclement Weather Policy
The Medical Assistant (MA) Program operates in accordance with Parker University policies to promote and protect student safety. Students are strongly encouraged to respond appropriately to inclement weather conditions and to place their personal safety and the safety of their families above all other concerns.
During the didactic portion of the curriculum, when classes are held on campus, students are required to follow University decisions regarding campus closures, delayed openings, or class cancellations. Parker University actively monitors weather conditions and will communicate updates as needed.
When students are away from campus, they are advised to monitor local media for weather advisories, school closures, delayed openings, and announcements regarding the resumption of classes. Once the University has resumed classes, students are expected to return to their scheduled coursework.
If classes are not cancelled and a student does not attend, the absence will be counted in accordance with the attendance policy. Any extenuating circumstances related to weather or safety concerns should be communicated to the Program Director as soon as possible. The Brightspace Connect notification system will send alerts via e-mail, voice mail, call, and/or text message with details regarding class cancellation. The Parker University main phone line will also have a pre-recorded message to inform students with school opening, class cancellations, and delays. If the University closes for inclement weather, it will be broadcasted on the major four television stations, ABC - Channel 8 (WFAA), Fox - Channel 4 (KDFW), NBC - Channel 5 (KXAS) and CBS - Channel 11 (KTXA) by 5:00 AM. Students may also visit www.parker.edu or social media (Facebook) where additional information will be posted.
MA Clinical Attendance Policy
Students are required to be in clinical at their scheduled times. Students who miss more than two (2) clinical days during a single rotation will be subject to dismissal from the program. If the student is unable to be present for the scheduled clinical day/time, the student must follow the “Clinical Site Call-Off Procedure” as stated below:
Clinical Site Call‑Off Procedure
If a student is unable to attend a scheduled clinical shift, the following steps must be completed at least one (1) hour prior to the scheduled start time:
Call clinical site at least one (1) hour prior to scheduled clinical shift.
Send electronic message (email) to clinical coordinator and program director at least 1 hour prior to scheduled clinical shift. Report absence by giving your name, time, and reason for reporting off.
Submits an excused absence request form with documentation (i.e., doctor's note) via the link below. Student Affairs will review and verify the authenticity and validity of the documentation.
If this procedure is not followed in its entirety, the student will be written up and may be subject to termination from MA program.
Missing more than two (2) clinical days per rotation will result in dismissal from the program.
No Call / No Show Policy
Students will be considered a no call/no show if required notification guidelines are not followed.
After one (1) occurrence of a no call/no show, the student will receive a written warning and be placed on probation. After a second occurrence of a no call/no show, the student will be subject to dismissal from the MA program.
Tardiness Policy
If a student anticipates being tardy, they must notify the Program Director, Clinical Coordinator, and Clinical Preceptor as soon as possible, but no later than one (1) hour prior to the scheduled start time.
Students who arrive late to a clinical assignment must clock in immediately upon arrival to the department, with the time verified by the clinical preceptor.
Two (2) instances of tardiness of fifteen (15) minutes or more are equivalent to one (1) day of absence. An instance of tardiness is defined as missing more than fifteen (15) minutes of a scheduled shift or class.
Habitual tardiness will not be tolerated. Frequent tardiness will result in a formal written warning. Continued or excessive tardiness may result in dismissal from the MA program.
Clinical Hours and Make-Up Policy
Students are required to make every reasonable effort to make up any missed clinical hours within the same week the absence occurs. If the missed time cannot be made up during that week, the student may be required to complete the missed clinical hours on a non-scheduled day or during a holiday break, as assigned by the program.
If clinical hours are not made up in a timely manner, the student may be required to extend their final clinical rotation. Any costs associated with extending a clinical rotation will be the financial responsibility of the student.
Inclement Weather Policy
In the event of a school closure due to inclement weather, the Program Director, in coordination with the Clinical Coordinator, may determine that clinical instruction will transition to online activities. Approved online activities completed during this time will count toward required clinical hours, up to the equivalent of one clinical day.
Any additional clinical hours missed due to inclement weather or school closure that are not otherwise approved must be made up in accordance with the program’s clinical attendance and make‑up policy. Students are expected to use their best judgment when determining whether to travel to their clinical site based on weather conditions between their residence and the facility. Students must contact their clinical preceptor to confirm whether the site is operating under normal conditions. If a clinical site is closed, students are required to notify the Clinical Coordinator and Program Director for further instructions. Hospitals and outpatient facilities may go into “lock-down” up to 24 hours prior to a storm event. The clinical preceptor will inform the student of an eminent lock-down. In this event the student will contact the Clinical Coordinator and Program Director. The student is to leave the hospital and take all personal items with them. The student may NOT stay in the facility once the lock-down procedure has been instituted.
Parker University does not require students to attend clinical if the Parker University campus is closed due to inclement weather. Any absences due to inclement weather while the Parker University campus is closed do not count against the students’ total absences allotted for clinical rotations. Students who choose to attend clinical during inclement weather should do so with caution and at their own risk. Clear communication is required for safety purposes; students must notify both their clinical site and the clinical coordinator/program director if they plan to attend or will be absent due to weather conditions.
Time missed due to weather-related absences is required to be made up prior to graduation. A make-up schedule will be provided as needed and may include holidays, extended daily hours, or weekends based on the availability of the clinical facility. A two-week extension at the end of rotations can be allowed, if necessary.
Student safety remains the top priority, and accommodations will be made to ensure required clinical hours are completed. The Brightspace Connect notification system will send alerts via e-mail, voice mail, call, and/or text message with details regarding class cancellation. The Parker University main phone line will also have a pre-recorded message to inform students with school opening, class cancellations, and delays. If the University closes for inclement weather, it will be broadcasted on the major four television stations, ABC - Channel 8 (WFAA), Fox - Channel 4 (KDFW), NBC - Channel 5 (KXAS) and CBS - Channel 11 (KTXA) by 5:00 AM. Students may also visit www.parker.edu or social media (Facebook) where additional information will be posted.
Illness During Clinical
To protect the health and safety of others, students suspected of having a communicable illness may be sent home from clinical rotations. Any time missed will be deducted in accordance with program attendance requirements and must be made up prior to graduation.