Medical

 

• Location: WANIC at LWTech
• 3 High School Credits: YR 1 CTE (1.5), Health (0.5), Lab Science (1.0). YR 2 CTE (3.0)
• 2 Year Program Available
• No Tuition
• Program fees may apply Financial assistance may be available for qualifying students
• College Credits and Certifications available: Contact WANIC to find out more
• Prerequisites: Biology - Students are required to have successfully completed and passed the course without any adjustments to the standards. Minimum 8th grade reading level ability

This is a full year 3-period Skill Center class (3 high school credits).

Program Overview

The Medical Careers: Medical Assisting Pathway is a career-focused healthcare program centered on the clinical and administrative responsibilities of the medical assistant role. Instruction emphasizes the skills, knowledge, and professional behaviors expected in ambulatory care and outpatient clinical settings.

Students develop core medical assisting competencies including patient intake and rooming, vital signs, infection control and sterile techniques, medical documentation, electronic health records (EHR), appointment scheduling, insurance and front-office workflows, patient communication, and professional conduct in healthcare environments. Clinical skill development also includes medication fundamentals, injections, basic diagnostic testing, and emergency response procedures appropriate to the medical assistant scope of practice.

Academic instruction supports clinical training through anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, pathophysiology, behavioral and mental health, cultural competence, legal and ethical responsibilities, medical mathematics, and workplace safety. Students complete OSHA 10-Hour Healthcare Training, earning an industry-recognized safety certification aligned with healthcare workplace standards.

Hands-on learning occurs through structured clinical simulations and applied skills practice aligned to industry expectations. Year One prepares students for the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA), American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR), and OSHA 10-Hour Healthcare Certification. Students who successfully complete Year One may be eligible to apply for Year Two.

Applied Learning, Research, and Postsecondary Preparation

In addition to clinical and administrative skill development, students participate in structured disease presentations and applied research activities designed to strengthen clinical reasoning, medical communication, and postsecondary readiness. Students research disease processes by body system, analyze patient scenarios, and present findings using professional medical terminology and evidence-based sources.

Students also gain exposure to healthcare research and forensic science through guest speakers, case-based learning, and experiential opportunities connected to regional research institutes, clinical laboratories, and forensic or investigative healthcare settings when available. These experiences highlight how medical assisting, diagnostics, research, public health, and forensic medicine intersect within real-world healthcare systems.

Postsecondary preparation is embedded throughout the program. Students develop research writing skills, interpret clinical and population-level data, create professional presentations, and engage in career pathway exploration. Résumé development, interview preparation, and professional communication are emphasized to support both immediate employment and continued education.

Year One: Medical Assisting Foundations

Year One is designed for students enrolled as juniors or seniors and focuses on foundational clinical and administrative medical assisting skills. Students build competency in patient care fundamentals, healthcare documentation, safety practices, communication, and professionalism while preparing for nationally recognized certifications.

Certifications earned in Year One include:

• NHA Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)
• AHA Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR)
• OSHA 10-Hour Healthcare Certification

Year Two: Advanced Clinical Medical Assisting (Returning Seniors Only)

Year Two is available only to students who successfully complete Year One during their junior year and return to WANIC as seniors.

Year Two is an advanced, application-based continuation of the program and requires demonstrated readiness for clinical practice. The focus is the transition from simulated learning to real-world clinical application in outpatient and ambulatory care settings.

Year Two includes advanced training in patient intake, rooming, and clinic workflow; comprehensive patient preparation for examinations and procedures; expanded diagnostic and point-of-care testing; advanced phlebotomy and specimen handling; medication preparation and administration aligned with CCMA expectations; EKG acquisition and lead placement fundamentals; pediatric and special population considerations; telehealth workflows; professional documentation and chart accuracy; and clinical professionalism, teamwork, and time management.

A central component of Year Two is completion of a minimum 160-hour supervised clinical externship in an approved healthcare setting. Students apply their skills under supervision, receive evaluation from clinical preceptors, and demonstrate professional conduct consistent with healthcare industry standards.

Year Two culminates in preparation for the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA).

Career and Postsecondary Pathways

Students completing the Medical Assisting Pathway are prepared for entry-level healthcare employment and continued education.

Career pathways include medical assistant, medical front office or patient services representative, electronic health records technician, and phlebotomy support roles (with appropriate supervision or additional training). Postsecondary education pathways include nursing, physician assistant studies, respiratory therapy, physical therapy, medical laboratory technology, diagnostic imaging, forensic science, and other allied health or healthcare research professions.

Students enrolled in Medical Careers may be interested in pursuing a path to a variety of occupations.

Median Yearly Salary Seattle Metro area*

Medical Assistant   $58,850

Medical and Health Services Managers   $153,910

Phlebotomists  $48,730

Physician Assistants  $163,460 

* Source: careeronestop; U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics 2025

PREPARE FOR COLLEGE AND A CAREER!