NMCC to mark Medical Assistants Week

    Northern Maine Community College will join with higher education and medical facilities across the country to mark National Medical Assistants Week Oct. 20-24, with activities designed to involve and educate the public about the profession, as well as one of the college’s newest programs.
    Two events are planned at NMCC Friday, Oct. 24. To accommodate the work schedules of the more than 20 working medical assistants and other health care professionals that serve on the college program advisory committee, a breakfast will be held at 6:30 a.m. in the Edmunds Conference Center. In addition to thanking the community members for their support in developing and guiding the program through its first year, the breakfast will involve a discussion amongst the medical assisting students, faculty and professionals on progress to date and an update of upcoming program accreditation activity.
    Following the breakfast, the students will present teaching projects they recently completed, which include visual presentations of health care topics that are commonly experienced in the profession. The exhibits will be on display for the public in the Christie Lobby at the college between 8-10 a.m. The students will be present to discuss their work.
    Medical assistants perform routine administrative and clinical tasks needed to keep the medical offices and clinics of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other medical professionals running smoothly and efficiently. Others in the profession may work in outpatient surgical centers, laboratories, or hospitals.
    NMCC officially welcomed its first students into the program in the fall of 2007. The development of the two-year program was in direct response to the specific request of regional health care practices and professionals, who were looking to fill positions.