GADSDEN – Answering a need to fill the “front line” of medical facilities, Gadsden State Community College is launching a medical assistant program.
The program opens Aug. 19 at the start of the 2024-25 academic year. Applications are being accepted.
Dr. Susan Thrasher has been hired as the director of the Medical Assistant Program that offers students a gateway to the rapidly growing healthcare field.
“We are providing hands-on training, modern facilities and comprehensive coursework to equip students with the skills necessary for a successful career in medical assistance,” she said. “It’s going to be incredible for the students who earn a degree at Gadsden State. The degree will empower them. It will empower the community.
“Knowledge empowers people.”
Thrasher’s 42-year career started well before she put on her scrubs and started her training. As a child, she had some health issues that required doctors’ visits and hospital stays, so she was exposed to many healthcare workers.
“I was especially drawn to the medical assistants because they were so wonderful to me,” she said. “I knew that’s what I wanted to do.”
Thrasher earned a doctor of education from the University of Alabama as a nurse educator, a master’s in nursing for Alabama and a bachelor’s in nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
On July 8, she started her job as the director of the Medical Assistant Program at Gadsden State.
“… I’m living the true dream teaching at the college level,” she said. “Medical assistants are the heart, soul and compassion of the community through providing service to patients, physicians and colleagues. We will use positive reinforcement in the classroom and labs to ensure that Gadsden State students define professionalism through acquaintance.”
The program takes five semesters to graduate followed by certification from the National Board for Medical Assisting of the American Association of Medical Assistants. This certification leads students to employment opportunities in physicians’ offices, outpatient clinics, laboratories, ambulatory institutions, hospitals, nursing homes, minute clinics and urgent care facilities.
Medical assistants are responsible for administrative, clinical, specialized and general duties. Some responsibilities include lab procedures, collecting patient history, conducting physical exams, performing EKGs, taking vital signs, giving injections, making referrals and setting up surgeries.
“Medical assistants really are the front line of a medical facility; the physician’s righthand person,” Thrasher said. “Medical assistants have a complete background to adequately support the physician.”
Gadsden State’s Medical Assistant Program will accept up to 15 students for the cohort starting this fall semester.
Admission to the program is competitive. Minimum admission requirements include:
- Unconditional admission to Gadsden State
- Completion of the online application by midnight Aug. 19
- ACT composite score or superscore of at least an 18 on the national or residual test
- Must be 18 years old or older
- A minimum of 2.5 overall GPA at Gadsden State for all college courses taken. If no courses have been completed at Gadsden State, the GPA from high school or from the college from which the student is transferring may be used.
- Minimum of 2.5 GPA for required Medical Assistant general education courses
- Must be eligible for placement in English 101 and Math 116
- Must be in good standing with the college
- Must meet the essential functions required for medical assistants
- Pass a criminal background check and drug test upon program admission
- Submit a completed health questionnaire and immunization records
- Have proof of insurance
The online application and more information about the program can be found at GadsdenState.edu/Medical.
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