Certificate or Associate of Science in Medical Assisting

Our Program    How and When to Apply     Background Preparation    
Clinical Work Experience    Faculty     Job Outlook

Become a Medical Assistant. A medical assistant (MA) performs clinical and administrative procedures as a member of the health care delivery team. As an MA, you may have clinical duties within the offices of physicians, podiatrists and other health practitioners. Some common tasks include taking medical histories and vital signs, explaining treatment procedures to patients, preparing patients for examinations and assisting physicians during examinations. You might instruct patients about medications and special diets, prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician, authorize drug refills as directed, telephone prescriptions to a pharmacy, draw blood, take x-rays electrocardiograms, remove sutures, change dressings and much more.

Our Program

Your three-semester MA program will include classroom instruction, practice in skills lab, and clinical experience in an ambulatory care setting. We give you the academic and clinical experiences needed to become a caring, ethical and competent health care professional. Your instruction will include skills practice and clinical experience in limited radiography.

Once you have completed the certificate MA program, you may continue on to work toward the two-semester Associate of Science in Medical Assisting Program Completion. 

Once you successfully complete these programs, you have the opportunity to advance into the Bachelor of Science in Allied Health or Health Care Administration degree programs at Mercy College.

Our MA program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.

How and When to Apply

We accept students into the MA program each fall semester. Because your admission into this program is on a competitive basis, early application is encouraged. Application deadline for each program is July 20.

Background Preparation

You need to successfully complete high school (or college equivalent) algebra I, human biology and English coursework before admission, and complete an interview with the Medical Assisting program chair.

Clinical Work Experience

You will experience direct patient contact during your clinical experience (called practicums) within Mercy Clinics. You will also work at many other leading health care providers in central Iowa to gain hands-on learning throughout your course of study.

Faculty

Our MA faculty team includes a full-time program chair as well as many medical professionals in the clinical setting. As a student, you will receive an exceptional level of personalized instruction.

Job Outlook

Once you have completed your MA degree, you’ll have the knowledge and clinical experience needed to become nationally certified, and you may be a limited radiographer. Your opportunities for employment will be excellent, as employment is projected to grow much faster than average, ranking medical assistants among the fastest growing occupations over the 2006-16 decade. For more details and statistics about specific roles and job opportunities go to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics website.