Houston Community College has a strong medical assistant program, said Cynthia Lundgren, the program’s director. Although clinical procedures are taught at the HCC-Coleman College in Houston because of its laboratory facilities, classes such as anatomy and physiology are taught at the Missouri City campus. As part of the program, students are required to complete 240 hours of external learning experience, treating patients in a professional setting. “Students are taking a review course at the same time that they are out there in the field,” Lundgren said. “For the credentialing exam, you need to not only have the book knowledge, but you also have to have the practicum experience.” Medical assistants fulfill a wide range of roles from administering injections and tests to performing administration tasks, Lundgren said. “We are producing caring, competent medical assistants,” she said.

Houston Community College-Missouri City

1600 Texas Parkway, Missouri City 713-718-2900 www.hccs.edu/locations/southwest-college/missouri-city-campus Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-10 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m.-5 p.m., closed Sun.