SAC News Release

"We are very excited about this opportunity for our Medical Assisting students, who will benefit enormously from their work with doctors and patients in supervised, mentorship situations," said Dr. Robert E. Zeigler, San Antonio College President.

"This agreement is truly a win-win situation for students as well as for healthcare providers," said Stephen C. Fitzer, Executive Director of the Bexar County Medical Society. He added that the collaboration will have a positive impact on the four critical cornerstones of health care: access, quality, safety, and affordability.

To participate in the program, student "externs" must meet the same BCMS qualifications as any other experienced applicant who is competent and proficient in a wide variety of clinical and administrative procedures. These qualifications include meeting the didactic and competency standards mandated by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs and the Curriculum Review Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants Endowment. In addition, students must demonstrate at least 60 hands-on clinical, general, and administrative competencies (comprising 96 individual competency tasks) with 100 percent accuracy and pass each course with a grade of "C" or better.

"Students learn the elements of each procedure as well as the rationale behind each step," said Cheryl Startzell, Coordinator of the SAC Medical Assisting Program. She added that students' work with scenarios to simulate clinical activities, patient flow, physician assistance, and documentation enables them to rapidly transition from the classroom to the clinic.

BCMS Staffing Services provides students with benefits, including options for medical insurance coverage, dental, disability and life. Students are paid for a half-day and earn credit for the unpaid half-day, which counts toward their externship. As a result, they can gain valuable contacts and prove themselves to employers who may decide to hire them full-time.

For more information, call San Antonio College Medical Assisting Program at 210-733-2574 or Bexar County Medical Society Staffing Services at 210-301-4362.

SAC Medical Assisting and BCMS Staffing Services Announce Mentorship Program

SAC Medical Assisting and BCMS Staffing Services
Announce Mentorship Program