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MUSCLE SHOALS-The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) notified Northwest Shoals Community College (NWSCC) on Monday (9/22) that the Medical Assisting Technology (MAT) Program has been awarded continuing accreditation.
According to MAT Program Director Katherine McBay, CAAHEP Accreditation ensures NWSCC students are being educated and trained by qualified instructors on competencies that best prepare them for the rigors of the workforce. “Not every MAT student can say they were trained through a CAAHEP accredited program,” said McBay. “I think this says a lot to employers of our students and the level of training they can expect from our graduates.”
The MAT program offers an associate in applied science degree that is designed to prepare students to assist the physician in providing patient care in physician’s offices, minor emergency centers, long-term care facilities, and other types of freestanding medical clinics. Medical assistants are also prepared to assume administrative roles in physician’s offices, including dealing with billing protocols, coding mechanisms and office management.
NWSCC also offers short-term certificate options in Phlebotomy and Medical Billing and Coding. The Phlebotomy option prepares students for work in acute care settings such as major hospital laboratories, minor emergency centers, etc. The Medical Billing and Coding option prepares students for careers in the health care field by offering courses in administrative functions of a physician’s office.
“Our MAT program team did a great job preparing and earning their continued accreditation,” said Brittney Humphres, Assistant Dean of Health Sciences. “The CAAHEP accreditation process is very meticulous. This is truly a testament to the amazing work Katie (MAT Director), Morgan (MAT Instructor) and Sharon Jo (MAT Assistant) do every day in preparing our students to be very successful medical assistants in the healthcare industry.”
In a letter to NWSCC President Dr. Jeff Goodwin, CAAHEP stated that, “The commission recognizes your organization’s commitment to quality health professions education, as demonstrated by your participation in CAAHEP accreditation.” The next evaluation of the program is scheduled to occur in fall of 2034.
Media Release/Trent Randolph/Director of Public Relations and Marketing NWSCC
