The application period for the Lone Star College-CyFair Medical Assistant Program 2024-2025 is March 3, 2025-July 31, 2025.

Medical Assistant Program at Lone Star College prepares students as multiskilled health professionals specifically educated to work in a variety of healthcare settings performing clinical and administrative duties. The practice of medical assisting necessitates mastery of a complex body of knowledge and specialized skills requiring both formal education and practical experience that serve as standards for entry into the profession. The program is committed to excellence in preparing medical assistants who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession.

What Does A Medical Assistant Do?

Medical Assistants perform routine administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices and clinics of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors and optometrists running smoothly.

The duties of Medical Assistants vary from office to office depending on office location, size, and specialty. In small practices, Medical Assistants are usually handling both administrative and clinical duties and reporting directly to an office manager, physician, or other health practitioner. Those in large practices tend to specialize in a particular area under the supervision of department administrators.

Medical Assistants perform many administrative duties. They answer telephones, greet patients, update and file patient medical records, fill out insurance forms, handle correspondence, schedule appointments, arrange for hospital admission and laboratory services, and handle billing and bookkeeping.

Medical Assistants collect and prepare laboratory specimens or perform basic laboratory tests on the premises, dispose of contaminated supplies, and sterilize medical instruments. They instruct patients about medication and special diets, prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician, authorize drug refills as directed, telephone prescriptions to a pharmacy, draw blood, prepare patients for x-rays, take electrocardiograms, remove sutures, and change dressings.

How Much Will I Earn As A Medical Assistant?

Average salary and hourly pay vary for practitioner CMA’s and non-CMA’s according to their years of experience as a Medical Assistant. . Average annual salary for a full-time practitioner with a CMA in 2022 is $38,190.

Is Medical Assisting Right For Me?

Take this quiz to find out!

1. Are you looking for a meaningful job?
2. Do you like helping others?
3. Do you have an interest in health and medicine?
4. Are you a "people" person?
5. Are you good at multi - tasking; switching tasks throughout the workday?
6. Do you like variety in your job?
7. Would you like to enter a career in an expanding field?

If you answered "yes" to five or more of these questions, congratulations! Medical Assisting could be right for you!

1. The Medical Assistant Program at Lone Star College-CyFair has an average 5-year job placement rate of 87% for the years 2018-2022.

2. Graduates of the Medical Assistant Program at Lone Star College-CyFair are satisfied with the education that they receive, with an average graduate satisfaction rate of 100% for the years 2018-2022.

3. The Medical Assistant Program at Lone Star College-CyFair has an average 5-year retention rate of 97% for the years 2018-2022.

4. Employer satisfaction rate for the Medical Assistant Program at Lone Star College-CyFair is 100% for the years 2018-2022.

5. The Medical Assistant Program at Lone Star College-CyFair has an average 5-year CMA (AAMA) national pass rate of 95% for the years 2018-2022.

Want more information? Download the 2023 MAERB Annual Report.

Acceptance into the Program

Final acceptance into the Medical Assistant Program is contingent upon a satisfactory background check and drug screening (as required by clinical facilities), which will be completed by an approved agency at the student's expense.

Information Sessions are mandatory. Applications will be handed out at each session. All sessions will be held at the Health Science Center Building #1-Room 123-Medical Assistant Lab, from 1-3 pm on the following dates:

• February 5, 2025
• March 19, 2025
• April 16, 2025
• June 4, 2025
• June 25, 2025
• July 9, 2025

All aspects of the program are explained in detail including a breakdown of each course, time requirements, dress code, cost and how to complete the application packet. It also showcases our wonderful state-of-the-art Medical Assistant Lab and meet the Program Director.

Please be advised that it MUST be filled out in its entirety EXCEPT for the physical examination which will be collected at the New Student Orientation on August 12, 2025.

• You must apply to the college and submit all transcripts to the college.
• The pre-application checklist is a breakdown of all steps you must follow when submitting the application
• The HESI exam is given at the testing center on campus with an appointment only. HESI testing period March 3, 2025-July 23, 2025.
• The Selection Process Worksheet is for information only on how we select prospective student into program.
• Deadline for application is July 31, 2025. Students will be notified of their status by Friday, August 4, 2025. New Student Orientation will be August 12, 2025, from 9 am-1 pm. Program will start August 25, 2025.

Information and Guidelines

• The program is 3 semesters- August to August-39 credit hours
• We are proudly accredited by CAAHEP-The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs in coordination from the Medical Assistant Education Review Board.
• If you have been convicted of a felony, you may not be able to sit and take the CMA(AAMA) national examination.
• Background checks are required to get into program. You will be sent a link to follow after your acceptance on how to request this.
• Students must be willing to attend classes from 8 am till 1:30 pm Mon-Thurs in the Fall and 8 am till 1:30 pm Mon-Fri in the Spring. Summer 2 classes will be 8 am to 5 pm during a clinical externship/practicum. We do not offer evening or weekend classes.
• Please complete FASFA forms early if you are obtaining financial aid. Please contact the college financial aid department for help.
• After you have been accepted, please make appointment for required physical before the New Student Orientation. EVERYTHING on the physical form must be completed including hearing and vision testing. All immunizations and labs are also required. No exceptions.
• Uniforms and a strict dress code or required-No visible tattoos or piercings are permitted. Hair color must be a natural color. No green, purple, pink…hair is allowed. No long fingernails and only light pink or nude polish can be worn.
• We perform a great deal of lab procedures….vital signs, venipuncture, injections and electrocardiograms. We have great manikins to practice on but be aware that we do practice on each other.
• 20 students will be accepted into the fall semester.

YOU MUST ATTEND an information session. If you have any questions, please email them to CF-AlliedHealthPrograms@lonestar.edu

Occupational Risk for Medical Assistants

Medical Assisting is a profession with many rewards, as practitioners can perform both administrative and clinical services, filling several roles in a variety of healthcare environments. The Bureau of Labor Statistics clearly outlines that it is a growth field, with an anticipated 18% growth from 2020 to 2030.

Medical Assistants work directly with providers and patients, with the goal of providing healthcare and ensuring patient safety. It is a position with a great deal of responsibility.

As with any healthcare position, there are certain occupational risks that come into play with being a medical assistant, and those hazards include the following:

• Exposure to infectious diseases
  Medical Assistants will potentially be exposed to infectious diseases such as COVID and influenza. Training in occupational exposure which includes any reasonable anticipated skin, eye, mucous membrane, or parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) that may result from the performance of an employee’s duties will be required in the program as well as your potential employment. 
• Sharps injuries
  Medical Assistants are potentially at risk for sharp injuries completing tasks such as venipunctures, injections, and capillary sticks. Extensive training in these areas is required for students such as engineering controls and work practice controls. 
• Bloodborne pathogens and biological hazards
  Medical Assistants should have mandatory training in school as well as employment for bloodborne pathogens and biological hazards such as the OSHA Standard, PPE guidelines, and disposal of hazardous materials.
• Chemical and drug exposure
  Medical Assistants will have training in chemical and drug exposure such as Safety Data Sheets, complying with the Hazard Communication Standard, and emergency eye wash station procedures and protocols.
• Ergonomic hazards from lifting, sitting, and repetitive tasks
  As a Medical Assistant, repetitive tasks such typing, incorrect lifting and sitting may cause injuries. Training on these subjects will be outlined and competency evaluated.
• Latex allergies
  Medical Assistants allergic to latex need to let the instructor as well as employer know of their allergies and possible complications of this topic. Alternative options will be available.
• Stress
  Medical Assisting is a very challenging as well as rewarding profession. With the high demands of health care, stress is always a concern for the student and employee. Taking care of oneself such as proper nutrition and exercise is highly encouraged. 

At the same time, there are protections set up with the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), and those protections are particularly important within a healthcare environment. OSHA has a series of standards that protect the safety of healthcare workers and patients.

Accredited medical assisting programs are required to teach students about the hazards that they face on the job and the protocols that can be put into place to ensure a workplace culture that prioritizes safety.