Medical assistants are versatile healthcare professionals specifically trained to operate in various healthcare environments, undertaking both clinical and administrative responsibilities. The role demands a profound understanding of a diverse array of medical knowledge and specialized skills, necessitating formal education and practical experience to meet professional standards.

The Medical Assistant Program at Iowa Central Community College equips students with theoretical knowledge and foundational skills essential for performing administrative and clinical tasks. This diploma program spans two semesters of theory and laboratory work, followed by a 30-day summer practicum, commencing in the fall and concluding in the summer. To progress in the program, students must achieve a passing grade (“C” or higher) in all Medical Assistant curriculum courses and fulfill prerequisite requirements. For those interested in further education, an option exists to pursue an AAS degree in Medical Assisting, entailing an additional 13 credit hours of mandatory coursework and 6 credit hours of elective coursework beyond the diploma requirements. Graduation mandates successful completion of all diploma and AAS program courses with a grade of “C” or higher, along with receiving a “P” (pass) in the Practicum component.

Upon completing the medical assistant diploma program successfully, students become eligible to sit for a national certification exam. Graduates who qualify for and pass the exam can attain certification as certified medical assistants (CMA, AAMA).

Program Admission Requirements:
Candidates must meet one of the following criteria:​

• Possess a high school diploma with a minimum GPA of 2.5
• Achieve a GED score of at least 550
• Accumulate a minimum of 8 hours of college credit with a GPA of 2.0 or higher

Applicants must also demonstrate minimum proficiency in reading and writing, as determined by the current Mandatory Placement Chart, to be eligible for placement in ENG-105 Composition I. Alternatively, students who have graduated from high school within the past 10 years with a GPA between 2.0 and 2.799 may be considered for admission.

Student Responsibilities: 
Accepted students will be briefed on the following additional requirements during the Medical Assistant Program Orientation:

• Completion of a Pre-Entrance Medical Record
• Undergo a Criminal Background Search
• Conduct an Iowa Child/Dependent Adult Abuse Search
• Obtain AHA Health Care Providers or Red Cross BLS for the Professional Rescuer certification
• Complete Mandatory Reporter Child/Dependent Adult training and certification 
• Acquire Bloodborne Pathogens training and certification

Early application to the program is strongly encouraged. Admission is limited to twenty-five students each fall, with acceptance granted by the Program Coordinator to the first 25 applicants who meet the aforementioned admission criteria. Students may not begin Practicum until all admission criteria above have been fulfilled.

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 (cognitive), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.
2. To provide quality educational opportunities within the classroom and during the practicum experience.