Oct. 14, 2020
LOUISVILLE – The Medical Assisting program at Sullivan University’s Lexington campus has been ranked the top medical assisting program in Kentucky.
The number one ranking of Sullivan’s Associate of Science in Medical Assisting has been announced by Medical Assistant Advice, an online site of educators and medical assistant professionals who bring their experience and expertise to guide current medical assistants or those who are seeking information on the profession.
In the rankings announcement, Medical Assistant Advice says that Sullivan’s program – which takes around 18 months to complete – trains students in both the front and back office functions of medical assisting. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB).
“The skills you master include scheduling appointments, patient record keeping, billing and insurance, drawing blood, taking vital signs, administration of medications, EKGs (Electrocardiogram), and assisting the physician during minor procedures carried out at the medical office,” the announcement says. “Besides, you will learn about keyboarding essentials, public speaking, professional development, and also participate in two externships at local medical settings.”
“Recognition of program quality by outside agencies or peers demonstrates excellence,” said Sullivan University Medical Assisting Program Director Jill Ferrari. “This will only solidify our reputation in our community more soundly as being a competent source of quality graduates for employment.”
Medical assistants are the medical professionals who complete administrative and clerical tasks in hospitals, doctors’ offices and clinics. They also take a patient’s temperature, check their blood pressure and discuss ailments and symptoms with the patient. In addition, medical assistants also have a keen understanding of medical billing and computerized medical records.
“People who genuinely care about others make the best medical assistants,” Ferrari said. “This job is ideal for those who want a job that provides a variety of experiences in an office environment or other medical setting. Sullivan University has the faculty and staff support that provide the most thorough preparation for this profession.”
The career outlook for medical assistants is strong.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics reports that the medical assisting job market is projected to grow at 19 percent through 2029, “much faster” than the average career growth rate of 4 percent. In Kentucky, the growth rate through 2028 is 13.7 percent, according to Projections Central, which projects employment and job growth in all 50 states.
In 2017, 80 percent of Sullivan graduates passed the national Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam of theAmerican Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), on the first try, compared to the national average pass rate of 60 percent.
“As illustrated in our certification exam pass and employment rates, most of our graduates pass the certification test after graduation, and are then able to get a job in the field” Ferrari said.
Ferrari said the career-ready relevancy of the curriculum is strengthened through the support of a community advisory board that is made up on employers, program graduates and community members who advise Sullivan on how to make the curriculum as relevant as possible for future medical assistants. The advisory board also assists in evaluating the program, which leads to improvements based on members’ recommendations.
“Current and future students will benefit from this accomplishment because employers like to hire well-qualified medical assistants who are ready for the job on day one,” Ferrari said. “We’ve been told in the past by employers that our graduates are well-prepared. Now, thanks to this ranking, more employers and prospective students know that.”
Medical Assistant Advice synthesizes data from the College Navigator, Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools, and Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Medical assisting programs are scored on MedicalAssistantAdvice.com Editorial Staff Ratings, Graduation Rate, Average Net Price, Admission Rate, Full-Time Retention Rate, and Total Number of Students Enrolled for the Medical Assisting Program.
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About Sullivan University
Sullivan University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Sullivan University or visit them online at www.sacscoc.org.
The University offers numerous certificates, diplomas, and degrees in career-orientated programs, ranging from business, pharmacy, human resources, I.T. and cybersecurity, supply-chain management, culinary and baking and pastry arts, hospitality studies, conflict management, nursing, allied health sciences, HVAC-R, interior design, and legal studies. Sullivan University has campuses in Louisville and Lexington, an extension in Fort Knox on the U.S. Army Post and Learning Centers in Louisa and Mayfield. Sullivan University also has many programs available partially or wholly online. For more information, visit www.sullivan.edu.
–From Pat Crowley
