Seminar & Skills Lab Attendance

Seminar and Skills Labs attendance is an essential part of your education and future career as a medical assistant. These sessions are designed to provide you with the knowledge and hands-on experience that are crucial to your success in the medical field.

Importance of Participation

1. Skill Development: Seminars and Skills Labs are integral for developing the practical skills you will need in a clinical setting. Engaging in these activities helps you build confidence and competence.
   
2. Comprehensive Learning: The interactive nature of seminars complements your textbook learning, reinforcing concepts and preparing you for real-world scenarios.
   
3. Professional Standards: Regular attendance demonstrates your commitment to your education and future career, which is a valuable trait in the healthcare industry.
   

Program Policies on Attendance:

To maintain the integrity of our program, please be reminded of the following attendance policies:

Synchronous Seminar Attendance 

Students are expected to be present and on time for all synchronous seminars. Students must notify their instructor before the start of the seminar if they will be late or absent for a synchronous seminar. Failure to inform the instructor before the seminar, except in extenuating circumstances as deemed by the instructor, results in an unexcused absence. If a student has an approved excuse for not attending a synchronous seminar, they will have access to the seminar recording to participate fully in the seminar's online graded discussion. Those who do not attend the seminar and do not have a valid excuse will be considered absent and will receive a failing grade for the post-seminar assessment. Failing grades in the Seminar course may result in the student not meeting the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy, which may be grounds for dismissal from the program. 

Students will be considered absent when they do not attend the seminar at all and do not obtain prior approval from the instructor, as well as if they log in to the seminar ten minutes after the start or leave the seminar ten or more minutes before the scheduled end of the seminar without prior approval of the instructor. Students without their camera on, except when pre-approved by the instructor, will also be considered absent. Students will be required to complete additional assignments to make up for unexcused seminar absences.  

Skills Lab Attendance 

Attendance in Skills Labs is a critical component of the NIMAA program and a key factor in what makes NIMAA unique. Throughout the program, students develop proficiency in the competencies required to be a medical assistant. Skills labs are opportunities to practice learned skills and demonstrate mastery. Students will practice skills under their instructor's direct supervision. 

Students must notify their instructor if they will be late or absent from a skills lab. Failure to inform the instructor before the skills lab, except in extenuating circumstances as deemed by the instructor, will result in an unexcused absence. Students with unexcused absences from skills lab will be required to meet with their instructor. 

Attendance Breakdown

Below, you will find information on how missing sessions can affect your attendance. You must notify your instructor of all absences and tardies.

Unexcused Seminar Absences	Student's Attendance Percentage
0	100%
1	96%
2	93%
3	89%
4	86%
5	82%
6	79%
7	75%
8	72%
9	68%
10	65%

Unexcused Skills Lab Absences	Student's Attendance Percentage
0	100%
1	90%
2	81%
3	72%
4	63%
5	54%
6	45%
7	36%
8	27%
9	18%
10	9%

We encourage you to view these seminars and Skills Labs not just as requirements but as vital opportunities to invest in your future as a medical assistant. Your engagement is key to your educational and professional success.

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