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Medical Assistant

Campus Location: Peosta

Program Entry: Fall

Award: Diploma

Description:

Medical Assistants are allied health professionals who perform administrative and clinical functions that support the services of physicians and other health practitioners in a medical office setting. Duties vary depending on the practice and scope of practice in the state. Clinical duties can include collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, performing basic laboratory tests, sterilizing medical equipment, doing blood draws, taking electrocardiograms and preparing patients for x-rays. Administrative functions include patient scheduling, patient registration, performing billing services and purchasing and maintaining supplies. Medical Assistants, if directed by a physician and state law, might instruct patients about medications and special diets, prepare and administer medications, authorize drug refills and telephone prescriptions to a pharmacy.

The goal of the Medical Assistant program is to prepare competent entry-level medical assistants in the cognitive, psychomotor and affective learning domains.

 

 

Medical Assistant

Admissions Requirements:

  • Submission of your official high school transcript with ACT score.
  • Submission of transcript from any college or university previously attended.
  • Completion of ACCUPLACER assessment if necessary.

In addition to the College admission requirements outlined, program applicants must meet the minimum entrance requirement (ACCUPLACER Reading 70 and ACCUPLACER Arithmetic 80 or Elementary Algebra 44) on a basic skills assessment for placement in reading and math.

The College has contracted the services of Certified Background to review and monitor background checks, health records, training requirements and drug testing. Students will submit the following documentation to their website prior to the designated date:

  • Background check - includes a nationwide criminal history search and child, dependent adult and sex offender registry checks.
  • Health records - physical and immunizations (MMR, varicella, Hepatitis B, 2 step TB, Tdap and influenza.
  • Training - CPR American Heart Association HealthCare Provider CPR, mandatory reporter of child and dependent adult abuse, HIPAA and blood borne pathogens.
  • Drug testing - prior to clinical participation, random, post incident/accident and suspicion. Students are required to be substance free throughout the program.


In addition to meeting the above listed requirements upon admission, students must maintain these requirements throughout the program. Failure to remain compliant will result in denial for clinical participation. Clinical participation is required for program completion.

Note: Background checks will be evaluated per the NICC program compliance policy and by the Iowa Department of Human Services, if applicable. Clinical participation is dependent on this evaluation.

Students must be aware of the physical demands during the practicum course. Daily activities require bending, stooping, reaching, squatting, pushing and pulling in all directions. You will be asked to lift and carry objects weighing up to a minimum of 50 pounds and also shared weight. Clinical tasks can include repetitive actions, such as simple and firm grasping and fine manipulation and walking, including stair stepping. You may also be in contact with communicable disease and chemical/bio hazardous material and odors. You may be required to provide documentation of health insurance coverage.

Classes are scheduled two or three days a week at the campus and include lab hours. Clinical experience is scheduled in a physician setting after completion of required prerequisite course work.

Medical Assistant

Academic Requirements:

Minimum Credits: 46.5

View the printable Ed Plan (Diploma).

Term 1
CourseTitleCredits
ADM:105 Introduction to Keyboarding OR 1.0
ADM:116 Keyboarding II 3.0
BIO:158 Basic Anatomy and Physiology 2.0
BIO:160 Basic Anatomy and Physiology Lab 1.0
HIT:320 Health Records Management 2.0
HSC:117 Basic Medical Terminology 2.5
MAP:111 Medical Office Management I 3.0
MAP:353 Clinical Procedures I 4.0
MAP:431 Human Relations 1.0

 

Term 2
CourseTitleCredits
HIT:210 Basic Medical Insurance and Coding 2.0
MAP:358 Clinical Procedures II 5.0
MAP:501 Math for Medications 1.0
MAP:513 Medical Assisting Pharmacology 3.0
MAP:532 Human Body: Health and Disease 3.0
SPC:112 Public Speaking 3.0

 

Term 3
CourseTitleCredits
BCA:212 Intro to Computer Business Apps 3.0
MAP:402 Medical Law and Ethics 2.0
MAP:622 Medical Assistant Practicum 6.0
MTR:109 Intro to Medical Transcription 2.0

Note: Students are required to take some courses in an online or hybrid format.

Medical Assistant

Employment Information:

View Gainful Employment information for this program.

Iowa Workforce Development Estimated Salary

$22,572 - $27,658

Iowa Workforce Development Estimated Annual Openings (Statewide)

135

Medical Assistant

Additional Information:

Students should be aware that clinic sites can be located anywhere within the NICC service area at both ends of the district. Travel is required and students are responsible for transportation to and from, which could be as far as two hours away. Practicum is held only in the summer semester and is held on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Contacts

Jennifer Anglin
Acting Medical Assistant Program Director
800.728.7367, ext. 196
anglinje@nicc.edu