STCC medical assistant program ranked top for affordability, quality
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Two websites have ranked Springfield Technical Community College‘s medical assistant program the top in Massachusetts for quality and value.
Medicalassistantadvice.com listed STCC as having the best medical assistant program in Massachusetts. STCC was listed as No. 1, beating out other community college and training programs in the state. Another website, MedAssistantEDU.org, rated the program as the most affordable in the Commonwealth.
STCC medical assistant students train on campus in this photo from fall 2019.
“One of the top medical assistant schools in Massachusetts, Springfield Technical Community College prepares you for a rewarding career in the allied healthcare field by combining practical learning with didactic classes,” Medicalassistantadvice.com wrote about STCC.
The medical assistant program at STCC offers a “one-plus-one” option, which means students in the program obtain a certificate after one year of successful coursework. They can either enter the workforce or continue another year in the program to pursue an associate degree.
In naming STCC among the most affordable medical assistant associate degree programs of 2020-21, MedAssistantEDU.org wrote, “At more than $1,800 less than the state average for public medial assistant associate degrees, the Springfield Technical Community College AS-Medical Assistant offers unmatched quality without breaking the bank.
“And thanks to its comprehensive curriculum that includes valuable hands-on learning through laboratory and simulation experiences, you’ll feel confident knowing you have everything you need to succeed as a trusted member of the healthcare team.”
MedAssistantEDU.org writes, “Becoming a medical assistant is one of the quickest routes to a career that offers a big return on a relatively small investment of time and money.”
Professional medical assistants perform administrative duties such as word processing, recordkeeping, billing, electronic medical records and scheduling procedures. Clinical responsibilities include assisting the physician with patient care, performing electrocardiograms, assisting with physical examinations, performing phlebotomy, obtaining and processing specimens. Graduates are qualified to accept positions in medical offices, clinics, health maintenance organizations, insurance companies, hospitals, ambulatory care centers, or any other area where their broad basic skills are needed.
Karolyn Ryan, program director and associate professor in the medical assisting department, said she was delighted to find out the program made two separate lists of top schools.
“Our program offers value and quality for our students who are well prepared to sit for the national certification exam offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants,” Ryan said. “We’re proud of the work we do to train students and help fill the demand for skilled workers in the healthcare field.
Christopher Scott, dean of the School of Health and Patient Simulation, applauded the faculty and staff in the medical assistant program.
“We have talented and dedicated faculty and staff who go out of their way to help the students succeed,” Scott said. “These rankings are a reflection of the quality of instruction our community has come to expect from STCC, which is the most affordable college in the region.”
The STCC medical assistant certificate program is accredited by Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education programs (CAAHEP) upon recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB). Not all programs in the state have received accreditation.
STCC has a long list of top rankings in health and other programs. Earlier this year, it was named a top college for dental hygiene and nursing.
For more information about the medical assistant program and to apply visit stcc.edu/explore/programs/mast.as/ or call STCC Admissions at (413) 755-3333.
About Springfield Technical Community College
Founded in 1967 and located on 35 acres of the Springfield Armory National Historic Site, STCC is a major resource for the economic vitality of Western Massachusetts. As the only technical community college in Massachusetts, STCC offers a variety of career programs unequalled in the state. STCC’s highly regarded transfer programs in business, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, liberal arts, and STEM fields continue to provide the options for students pursuing a four-year degree. With an annual enrollment of about 7,000 day, evening, weekend, and online students, STCC is a vibrant campus rich in diversity.
For more information about STCC, visit www.stcc.edu. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@S_T_C_C) and Instagram (@stccpics).
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jim Danko, (413) 755-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu