7
Applicants that obtain provisional acceptance will have seven (7) days from the date emailed to
return the acceptance form in the attached acceptance letter. If the applicant chooses not to
accept or no response is obtained, the applicant will be dropped from future consideration and
the next applicant in rank order on the list will be notified of provisional acceptance.
When all available positions are filled, notification of an alternate position will be sent via email to
the next few applicants on the list. Notification of denial into the program will be sent via email
when all alternate positions are filled, typically before late June. Any individual, not receiving an
email by late June, should contact the Coordinator of Testing. Applicants who are not admitted
and remain on the list after the program starts will not be carried over for the next year. If interested
in applying for the next year’s program, a new program application must be submitted.
If an applicant is accepted to the program and chooses not to enter the fall class, any future
admission must be by re-application. All applicants must make application for each year they wish
to be considered for entrance into the MDA program. ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills
(TEAS) results will be considered valid for two consecutive academic years.
Any student admitted to the MDA program two times and have failed to continue in the program
must seek approval from the MDA Coordinator for re-application.
All correspondence will be sent via email, including acceptance, alternate, and denial notifications.
Therefore, an applicant must provide an email, Volmail or personal, that is checked on a regular
basis. The mailing address provided on the program application will be used for residency
purposes and verification of residence at that address will be required (see residency
requirements under STEP 1).
It is extremely important to abide by the deadline dates outlined in this packet. It is the applicant’s
responsibility to assure that these documents have been received in the designated office by the
deadline date.
If you have questions regarding this process, please contact the Coordinator of Testing Services
at (618) 985-2828 Ext. 8247.
PROFESSION
Medical assistants perform administrative office tasks and clinical procedures primarily in medical
offices. They work under the supervision of a physician and duties vary depending on the specific
needs of the practice. They are not to be confused with physician assistants (PA).
Administrative tasks of a medical assistant include updating and filing patients’ medical records,
filling out insurance forms, arranging for hospital admissions and laboratory services, answering
telephones, greeting patients, handling correspondence, scheduling appointments, and handling
billing and bookkeeping. Some common clinical tasks include taking medical histories and
recording vital signs, explaining treatment procedures to patients, preparing patients for
examinations, and assisting physicians during examinations. Medical assistants collect and
prepare laboratory specimens and sometimes perform basic laboratory tests on the premises,
dispose of contaminated supplies, and sterilize medical instruments. They might instruct patients
about medications 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.
Medical assistant wages vary throughout the nation. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports
median annual earnings in May 2022 at $40,700.