Medical assistants work alongside physicians,mainly in outpatient or ambulatory care facilities, such as medical offices and clinics. Employers are seeking medical assistants because they are the only allied health professional trained to perform both administrative and clinical duties. The majority of medical assistants work full-time with benefits. Medical assistants usually work weekdays during normal business hours when physician’s offices are open to see patients.

The Medical Assistant Program at Iowa Central Community College prepares the student with theory and entry-level competence in the performance of administrative and clinical duties. The diploma program includes two semesters of theory and lab, followed by a 30 day summer practicum. The program begins in the fall and concludes in the summer. Students must earn a passing grade (as outlined in individual course syllabi) in all Medical Assistant curriculum courses and meet the prerequisites to progress in the program. Upon successful completion of all program requirements, the graduate is eligible to make application to take the CMA (AAMA) Certification Examination. Students may opt to continue their education to obtain an AAS degree in Medical Assisting, completing an addition 13 credit hours of required coursework and 6 credit hours of elective coursework beyond the diploma requirements.

Program Mission Statement: The Iowa Central Community College Medical Assistant Program is committed to meeting the educational needs of students preparing for a career as a medical assistant. Program graduates become competent medical assistants who are able to meet the expectations of area health care providers and employers and contribute to the health and well-being of their patients and the communities within which they live and work.

Student Responsibilities: The following additional requirements will be discussed with accepted students at Medical Assistant Program Orientation: Pre-Entrance Medical Record, Criminal Background Search, Iowa Child/Dependent Adult Abuse Search, AHA Health Care Providers or Red Cross BLS for the Professional Rescuer, Mandatory Reporter Child/Dependent Adult training and certification, HIPAA training and certification, and Bloodborne Pathogens training and certification.

Accreditation: The Iowa Central Community College Medical Assistant Diploma Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (9355 - 113th St. N, #7709 Seminole, FL 33775, 727-210-2350, www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of Medical Assisting Education Review Board ( 2020 N. California Ave. #213 Suite 7, Chicago, Illinois 60647, 312-392-0155, www.maerb.org).

Admission Requirements: The following criteria is required for admission: Minimum of a high school diploma (GPA ≥ 2.5), GED (score ≥ 550), or 8 hours of college credit (GPA ≥ 2.0); ACT scores ≥ 18 in each category (writing and reading), or ASSET scores of ≥ 40 in each category (writing and reading); Accucplacer Next Generation score of ≥ 250 (reading), and WritePlacer score ≥ 5; previous college credit, if applicable (GPA ≥ 2.0 or HiSET 15). Early application to the program is encouraged. Twenty five students are accepted each fall. The Program Coordinator grants acceptance to the first 25 students that meet the above admission criteria. Applicants may not begin the program until ALL of the admission criteria have been completed.

Enrollment Date: Fall Semester
Minimum Required Credits: 42.5
Campus: Fort Dodge
Department: Health Science
CIP#: 51.08010100

Program Outcomes:

1. To prepare competent entry-level medical assistants in the knowldege (cognitivege), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.
2. To provide quality educational opportunities within the classroom and during the practicum experience.