Three Decades of Preparing Medical Assistants for Careers in Healthcare

For 30 years, Oconee Fall Line Technical College’s (OFTC) Medical Assisting program has prepared students to enter a profession that plays an important role in communities across the region.

The program will celebrate 30 years of accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) on Oct. 18. Initially accredited in 1996, the program has continued to meet established standards for quality education and preparation for the medical assisting profession.

For students, that accreditation represents a commitment to quality education and the knowledge and skills needed to begin a successful career in healthcare. Graduates of OFTC’s Medical Assisting program are also eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) examination, providing an important credential for employment in physician offices, clinics and other healthcare settings.

“Reaching 30 years of accreditation speaks to the strength of our Medical Assisting program and the dedication of the people who have supported it over the years,” Tammy Bayto, Dean of OFTC’s Allied Health programs, said. “Our goal remains the same — to give students the education and hands-on preparation they need to begin successful careers as medical assistants. We’re proud to have provided that opportunity to students for the past 30 years.”

An Evolving Program 

As the medical assisting profession has continued to evolve, OFTC’s program has evolved with it. Curriculum, technology and clinical experiences are regularly updated to help students prepare for certification testing and the changing needs of the healthcare workforce.

Brenda Gurr, an OFTC Medical Assisting instructor, has been part of that evolution for 18 years.

“I’ve seen a lot of changes in this field during my years at OFTC,” Gurr said. “But what hasn’t changed is our commitment to our students. We want them to leave here feeling prepared, confident and ready to begin their careers as medical assistants.”

Preparing Graduates for the Workforce 
The program’s impact can be seen in the success of its graduates, with a 100% job placement rate in 10 of the past 11 years. That strong record reflects the program’s long-standing commitment to providing students with the knowledge, hands-on experience and clinical skills needed to transition successfully from the classroom into the workforce.

“Seeing our graduates go on to successful careers as medical assistants is a reflection of the preparation they receive at OFTC and the dedication of the faculty and staff who support them along the way,” Bayto said. “For 30 years, we’ve worked to give students the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to take that next step into their careers as certified medical assistants.”

To learn more about OFTC’s Medical Assisting program or careers as a medical assistant, visit OFTC.edu.