Background Checks

Students must pass a criminal background check and drug screen before beginning medical assisting coursework.

Background clearance includes the State of Washington and all other states and counties which the student has lived in for the past seven years.

Clinical Agency Requirements

Because LCC must comply with health care agency requirements, a positive finding or a pending charge in a background check may exclude the student from completing the medical assisting program. Some crimes disqualify a person from giving patient care. Clinical agencies retain the right to refuse placement to students with a history of certain offenses. For additional information, see Disqualifying Crimes.


COVID-19 Vaccinations

Please Note:

As healthcare providers have a duty to protect those under their care, vaccination against several communicable diseases, including COVID-19, is a requirement for students admitted to a healthcare program at LCC.

Medical Assisting students must provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 prior to entry to the program. Fully vaccinated is defined by the CDC as 2 weeks following the second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer (3 weeks between doses) or Moderna (4 weeks between doses) vaccines, or 2 weeks after the single-dose Johnson & Johnson Janssen vaccine. To find a free vaccine near you, visit Vaccine Finder.

Current Medical Assisting students who have begun the program must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to beginning clinical courses.


Additional Required Student Expenses

  • Selected immunizations
  • Social Security card
  • Current First Aid card
  • Healthcare Provider CPR card (American Heart Association) 
  • Criminal background check
  • Recent 2-step TB test or chest X-ray
  • 2 MMR vaccination or titers for Rubella, Mumps, Rubella showing immunity
  • Hepatitis B vaccination series or titer
  • 2 Varicella vaccinations or titer for varicella showing immunity
  • Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis vaccination (adult) within 10 years (TDAP)
  • Drug screen
  • Current Healthcare Provider CPR certification
  • Current First Aid certification (for students entering Nursing 101)
  • Personal liability insurance and/or health insurance (depending on clinical agency policies).
  • Vaccination against COVID-19
    • At this time, clinical agencies are recognizing full vaccination as two (2) weeks following of the these primary series dose schedules:

      • Two (2) doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine given at least three weeks apart
      • Two (2) doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine given at least four weeks apart
      • A single dose of the Johnson & Johnson Janssen COVID-19 vaccine

      Currently, students are strongly encouraged to stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccination boosters per the current CDC guidance.


Contact Medical Assisting Program

We are located on the second floor of the Health & Science Building. Stop by during regular office hours, or call (360) 442-2860 to make an appointment.

Healthcare Program Inquiries

  Bev Ylen, Health Programs Coordinator
  (360) 442-2860
  bylen@lowercolumbia.edu

Medical Assisting Program Inquiries

  Vicky Soladey, Program Director
  (360) 442-2878
  vsoladey@lowercolumbia.edu

Medical Assisting Program Advising

For initial advising contact the One Stop Center. For subsequent advising contact Vicky Soladey at vsoladey@lowercolumbia.edu.