After more than two years of paperwork and focus, one of Rend Lake College’s newest programs has received accreditation. Last month, the Medical Assistant program earned a five year accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
RLC’s one-year Medical Assistant program consists of 36 credit hours over two semesters, plus an on-the-job practicum. Once in the field, medical assistants work under the supervision of physicians in their offices, clinics, and other facilities to perform both administrative duties and clinical tasks.
Bria Robinson, Allied Health Division Coordinator, said “RLC began working toward accreditation for Medical Assistant once it started in 2015, but we officially requested accreditation services from CAAHEP in December 2015. The accreditation is for all medical assistant students accepted into the program, those who are then eligible to sit for the national exams.”
As part of the accreditation process, a peer review was conducted by the CAAHEP’s Board of Directors and the Medical Assisting Education Review Board. In a letter to the college regarding the accreditation, the peer review groups “recognize the program’s substantial compliance with the nationally established accreditation standards.”
CAAHEP President Carolyn O’Daniel added in the letter, “The commission commends you and your colleagues for your commitment to continuous quality improvement in education, as demonstrated by your participation in program accreditation.”
RLC students interested in the Medical Assistant program can begin taking some general education courses this spring before applying for acceptance into the program this fall.
Robinson explained, “The program begins enrolling new students every fall. Students who wish to apply may take some of the required general education courses during the spring semester.”
To learn more about the Medical Assistant program, contact RLC’s Allied Health Division at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1251.
