Accrediting bureau stamps “Quality” on Southwestern’s Medical Assistant Program, Feb. 22

Southwestern Oregon Community College’s Medical Assistant Program gained program accreditation by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) in February 2016. ABHES is an accrediting agency nationally recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and leads in advancing the quality of health education programs nationwide. “This accreditation is significant for our college,” said Susan Walker, Southwestern’s Director of Nursing and Allied Health. “It demonstrates Southwestern’s commitment to provide a quality program that will support and train students to achieve their career goals.” Students who graduate from the Medical Assistant Program can take a national credentialing examination to earn certification as a Certified Medical Assistant. This certification demonstrates to employers that Southwestern’s graduates are committed to professionalism and possess the knowledge required for their position. More employers are requiring credentialing. Certification also meets the qualifications for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services order entry rule; various components of regulatory bodies such as OSHA and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments; and by private sector bodies such as The Joint Commission and National Committee for Quality Assurance. Southwestern’s Medical Assistant Program graduates approximately 10 students each year. To learn more about the program, visit http://www.socc.edu/allied-health. To find out more about the accreditation process, visit https://www.abhes.org/.