The Allied Health Department serves as an umbrella term for two certificate of completion programs, an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Workforce Certification, and a spring phlebotomy course. In addition to SKC’s Admissions application there are additional applications required for the EMT course, the Medical Assisting Certificate of Completion (MACC) program and the spring phlebotomy course. Applications may be obtained from the Allied Health Department. Note: submission of a complete application with the required documentation does not guarantee course acceptance.
Individuals interested in the Emergency Services Certificate of Completion (ESCC) programs will have one of two emphasis to choose from: the Emergency Health Studies Emphasis or, the Emergency Management Emphasis. The EMT course, held over two quarters, is a required course for Emergency Health Studies Emphasis.. Additional requirements such as documentation of required vaccinations, proof of health insurance coverage, an applicant’s ability to pass a federal background check and a valid driver’s license are also required to be submitted with the EMT application. Please contact the Allied Health Department Chair for more information. The phlebotomy course is also a focus elective for Emergency Health Studies Emphasis students.
Students who successfully meet all eligibility requirements will earn their eligibility to sit for each course’s respective national exam. The national written exam for the EMT course is the National Registry for Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) and the national written exam for the phlebotomy course is the National Healthcareer Association’s Certified Phlebotomy Technician (NHA CPT) exam.
The department’s mission is to educate and train students to become competent professionals in the field of Medical Assisting, Emergency Services, EMT, and phlebotomy, and to become valuable members of the health care team. The goal of the department is to align the college’s mission statement, strategic plan, program mission, and accreditation standards to produce a professional, qualified, and culturally sensitive workforce to meet the health care and emergency needs of the surrounding communities.
Programs in this Department
CC Emergency Services
Emergency Services Programs are in moratorium status and no longer accepting new students.
The Certificate of Completion in Emergency Services prepares students with fundamental knowledge and skills in emergency services including medical, unmanned aircraft systems operation, and emergency management. Courses provide opportunities for earning multiple certifications that prepare students for entry level positions in various emergency services including Emergency Medical Technician and Emergency Operations. This program is offered by the Allied Health Department.
The Program offers two tracks; the Emergency Management Track and the Emergency Health Studies Track. Each track provides students with opportunities to move into careers within emergency services.
Graduates from SKC’s Emergency Services - Health Studies Track will be eligible to test for registration as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or may continue in the program to earn additional certifications in areas of emergency management that qualify graduates for work as an incident manager, dispatcher, or communications officer. The degree also may be used as a step in a career pathway toward other allied health degrees.
Graduates from the Emergency Services - Emergency Management Track are prepared to work in emergency planning and operations. The program emphasizes emergency operations within tribal communities and reservations.
Upon completion of the Emergency Services Certificate of Completion, students will be able to:
- Describe components of the Emergency Services System including federal, state, tribal, and local entities and their authority, responsibility, and requirements.
- Communicate clearly in written and verbal form with emergency services providers and the general public.
- Demonstrate critical thinking in formulating effective response to natural and man-made disasters.
- Describe the specific needs of rural and tribal communities related to emergency services.
- Act within legal and ethical frameworks of emergency services practice.
- Complete course requirements for application to take the EMT Registry Examination.
Admission to the Emergency Medical Technician course is limited. Students must meet the requirements for the EMT course and meet with the program director prior to enrolling in the EMT course. Admission into the EMT course is based on a points system that will be available on September 11.
Requirements for the Emergency Medical Technician course include the following. All requirements must be complete and on file in the Allied Health Department before starting the EMT course.
- Completion of an Application for Admission to the Winter Emergency Medical Technician course. The complete application and submission of required application documentations must be submitted to the Allied Health Department Head (275-4847) by November 5. Students will be notified of admission within two weeks of November 5. Students must CONFIRM their intention to enroll in the program by November 19.
- Documentation of 11th grade reading level or above on college placement test. Contact the Department of Academic Success (275-4792) for information about the placement test. Provide copy with EMT application.
- Documentation of MMR (2), Hepatitis B Series, current influenza vaccine, and a current Tuberculosis Skin Test completed within the prior three months before the course starts. Provide copy with EMT application.
- Documentation of health insurance, IHS beneficiary status, Medicaid, or Medicare coverage. Provide copy with EMT application.
- Ability to pass a federal background check.
- Emergency Medical Technicians may be required to lift up to 100 pounds. Applicants are required to schedule a physical examination. Sign-off to participate in the EMT course by a licensed healthcare provider is required.
- Other requirements as stated in the Emergency Medical Technician application.
Note: Students with a history of criminal convictions (whether felony or misdemeanor) relating to crimes such as, but not limited to, physical assault, use of a dangerous weapon, sexual abuse or assault, abuse of children, the elderly or infirm and crimes against property, including robbery, burglary and felony theft, may not be eligible for licensure as an EMT. Students with concerns in this area should consult with the program director.
The Salish Kootenai College Emergency Medical Technician course prepares students to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) and apply for licensure in Montana. The NREMT is accepted in many states as a prerequisite for licensure or may be accepted through a reciprocity agreement to determine eligibility. The SKC EMT program conforms to requirements in Montana. The College has not determined whether the program meets specific licensure requirements in other states. Students planning to work as an EMT in another state should consult that state’s requirements.
Program Contacts
Valerie Johnson
Department Chair
valerie_johnson@skc.edu
406-275-4847
Health Sciences Bldg,
Allied Health wing
CC Medical Assisting
The Medical Assisting Certificate of Completion is another Allied Health program offering. In addition to the SKC’s Admissions application there is an additional application for the Medical Assistant Certificate of Completion (MACC) program. Applications may be obtained from the Allied Health Department. With a fall start date, progression through the MACC program requires students to successfully complete all courses in a previous term with a 70% or higher in each class in order to progress to the next quarter. Students who meet all eligibility requirements will sit for the National Healthcareer Association’s Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (NHA CCMA) exam at the end of their program. SKC’s Medical Assisting currently boasts a 100% pass rate for the CCMA exam.
The Medical Assisting Certificate of Completion focuses on a competency-based learning approach that prepares graduates with the key cognitive, psychomotor and affective skills required by healthcare employers and the opportunity to pursue career opportunities with private practices, hospitals, clinics and government agencies. Students will participate in classroom and hands on laboratory activities to include career development, medical law and ethics, effective communication, introduction to the electronic health record (EHR), coding and billing, finance, administrative procedures, human disease, anatomy and physiology, infection control, phlebotomy, diagnostic testing, simulation module learning and applied clinical laboratory practices.
Medical Assisting Certificate of Completion Curriculum
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics employment of Medical Assistants is projected to grow 18 percent from 2020 to 2030. Medical Assistant is currently one of the fastest growing professions. As a result, physicians will hire more medical assistants to perform routine administrative and clinical duties, allowing the physicians to see more patients.
Certified Medical Assistants are able to obtain additional certifications including Electrocardiography Technician, Phlebotomy Technician, Specialty Certified Medical Assistants and work as clinic managers.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2022), the median annual Medical Assistant salary is $37,190 or $17.88 per hour. However, salaries can vary widely depending on a variety of factors such as location and type of health care facility.
- Be eligible and sit for the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) clinical Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) examination. Students who complete requirements for the NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician exam are eligible to sit for that exam.
- Qualify for employment in the healthcare field.
Successful graduates of the Medical Assisting Certificate of Completion will have learned to:
- Apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills in a healthcare setting.
- Display professionalism and respect for diversity in relation to culture, age, and gender.
- Perform within the legal and ethical scope of practice in the role of a Medical Assistant.
- Demonstrate professional and effective forms of communication with patients, families, and other healthcare professionals in culturally diverse communities.
- Demonstrate proficiency in the administrative and clinical competencies that are required in the role of a Medical Assistant.
- Physical Demands: The industry standards for a Medical Assistant are to have a full range of motion. This includes handling and lifting patients, stooping or stretching and hand-eye coordination. The job will require a Medical Assistant to stand 8-10 hours a day with occasional sitting. MA students must be able to carry 40-50 pounds.
- Additional requirements are stated in the Medical Assistant Certificate of Completion application and handbook..
- All students are required to have a complete federal background check done prior to the end of fall quarter/first year. Failure to pass the federal background check may result in inability to progress in the program.
- Note: Students with a history of criminal convictions (whether felony or misdemeanor) relating to crimes such as, but not limited to, physical assault, use of a dangerous weapon, sexual abuse or assault, abuse of children, the elderly or infirm and crimes against property, including robbery, burglary and felony theft, may not be eligible for employment in a healthcare facility as a medical assistant. Students with concerns in this area should consult with the program director.
- The Salish Kootenai College Medical Assistant Certificate of Completion program prepares students to take the National Healthcareer Association Certified Clinical Medical Assistant exam. The SKC MA CC program conforms to requirements in Montana. The College has not determined whether the program meets specific certification requirements in other states. Students planning to work as a CCMA in another state should consult that state’s requirements.
Admission Requirements
- Submission of the Medical Assistant Certificate of Completion application and related documents.
- All students are responsible for additional program fees to include purchase of uniform, name tag, OSHA approved clinical shoes, stethoscope, wrist watch with a second hand, immunizations, liability insurance, lab fees, certification fees and a federal background check.
- All students are required to provide documentation of health insurance upon acceptance to the Medical Assistant Program.
Requirements for Continuing in the Program
- Students that are accepted into the Medical Assistant Program must take all HIEP and MAST courses consecutively starting fall quarter/first year.
- Students are required to earn a C or better in all HIEP or MAST courses in order to remain in the program and advance to the next academic quarter.
- Students are required to earn a C or better in all non-medical assisting course.
- All students are required to successfully complete 160 hours of clinical externship hours prior to program completion.
- All students are required to take the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant national exam prior to program completion.
- Any changes in a conviction record and/or pending criminal charges which occur between the initial completion of the criminal background/registered sexual offender check and program completion must be provided in writing to the program director within ten working days from the date of notification. Failure to provide such information within the required time frame may result in immediate dismissal from the program.
- Students who are not in compliance with the Student Code of Conduct provided in the SKC Catalog and/or the SKC Medical Assistant Student Handbook may place themselves at risk for dismissal from the Medical Assistant program.
Program Contacts
Valerie Johnson
Department Chair
valerie_johnson@skc.edu
406-275-4847
Health Sciences Bldg,
Allied Health wing
Christina Tryon
CMA Instructor
christina_tryon@skc.edu
406-275-4932
Health Sciences Bldg,
Allied Health wing
Apply now and enjoy a unique educational experience that blends Western academic knowledge with Native American perspectives and practices. Benefit from smaller class sizes, personalized attention, and opportunities for hands-on learning and research. Join a supportive community that values cultural diversity and academic excellence, and prepare for a successful career and leadership role in your community. Apply today and start your journey towards a brighter future at SKC!