Medical assistants are multiskilled health professionals specifically educated to work in a variety of healthcare settings performing clinical and administrative duties. The practice of medical assisting requires understanding of a complex body of knowledge and specialized skills requiring both formal education and practical experience that serve as standards for entry into the profession.

The Medical Assistant Program at Iowa Central Community College prepares students 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 (“C” or better) in all Medical Assistant curriculum courses and meet the prerequisites to progress in the program. Students may choose to continue their education to obtain an AAS degree in Medical Assisting, completing an additional 13 credit hours of required coursework and 6 credit hours of elective coursework beyond the diploma requirements. Graduation requirement: Students must pass all diploma and AAS program courses (if applicable) with a “C” or better and receive a “P” (pass) in Practicum to graduate from the program.

Program Admission Requirements: 1) Minimum of a high school diploma (GPA ≥ 2.5), GED (score ≥ 550), or 8 hours of college credit (GPA ≥ 2.0), 2) Minimum scores in reading and writing (based on the current Mandatory Placement Chart) indicating eligible placement in ENG-105 Composition I  or HS GPA ≥ 2.0 - 2.799 (for students graduating from high school in the past 10 years).

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.

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 admission criteria have been completed.

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, Florida 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, 312S-392-0155, www.maerb.org).

Enrollment Date: Fall Semester
Minimum Required Credits: 61.5
Campus: Fort Dodge
Department: Health Science
CIP#: 51.08010200

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.