Medical Assistant

Diploma

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Medical Assistant Program Application Now Open

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If you are interested in health science and really like to take care of others, there's a great career just waiting for you. We can have you job ready in less than a year in this full-time program. Spend two days a week taking courses online and two days completing labs on campus. Our graduates are skilled and in high demand. Iowa's Last-Dollar Scholarship may even cover your tuition.

What You Learn in the Medical Assistant Program

Learn basic anatomy and physiology, medical law and ethics, and psychology. Build clinical skills in examination, testing, and treatment. Put all you've learned into practice during an externship. And we help you prepare to ace the national certification exam. 

What Can I Do With a Medical Assisting Diploma? 

You help patients and front-line healthcare providers – it's a rewarding job. Work in a doctor's office, clinic, or group practice. It is likely you are the first face a patient will see. Provide intake and care, run routine diagnostic procedures, and record health history. This diploma and career field is the perfect stepping stone into EICC's programs in Nursing, Surgical Technology, Respiratory Therapy, and more.

A Solid Foundation

Medical Office Procedures

Room 2

Medical Office Procedures

Take vitals, do screening exams, pulmonary function testing, and more.

Terminology

It's the root

Terminology

Define medical words from Greek and Latin prefixes, suffixes, and more.

Human Disease

The principals, please

Human Disease

Learn diagnostic testing, procedures, and ways to manage pain.

Exam Prep

What’s the answer?

Exam Prep

Discuss your clinical experiences and take practice tests.

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Ready to Get Started? 

Take courses online and get hands-on in our campus labs. In nine months, you'll be career ready. Some things to note: 

In addition to EICC’s general admission requirements, you need to meet specific program admission criteria. You'll also want to consider the time commitment. This is a full-time program where you spend two days in class, then two days at home doing online work. You'll work hard, but the reward will be great when you're done! You'll complete the program with a skill set employers really need. 

Admission Criteria

  1. Must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have a high school equivalency that is in conformity with the requirements of the Department of Education, State of Iowa.
  2. Demonstrate college-level readiness in English, according to EICC placement assessments. If applicable, must have a test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) on file. Language proficiency for non-native speakers of English must be at a score of 500 or higher OR complete the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum score of 6.5 – no sub score below 6.0. In addition, you must have a speaking 1:1 time with an ESL/ELA coordinator.
  3. Prior to admission into the program, the EICC Admissions Office needs to receive your official college transcripts for any colleges previously attended. 
  4. Able to meet the following requirements of the Medical Assistant Program:
    • Actively participate in a very rigorous academic program
    • Remain calm in very stressful situations on a one-to-one basis
    • Work with groups of people in stressful situations
    • Ability to bend, squat, reach, kneel, carry, and lift
    • Ability to be on your feet for six to twelve consecutive hours in the clinical area
  5. Complete the Medical Assistant program application

1.0

Students who have exited the program at any time must be readmitted. The readmission process includes the submission of a written request. Please be advised that readmission is decided upon by a committee that reviews the written request. This review period can take up to six weeks. Priority will be given to those students who have been academically successful pending space availability and date of request. After 6 months the student will need to be reassessed on Clinical skills and competencies for Externship.      

2.0

Students may only repeat each medical assistant (MAP) core course once. If a student is not successful with a second attempt of a MAP course, they will not be able to progress and will be withdrawn from the program

3.0

All medical assisting students must be in optimum health as evidenced by the physical examination form.

4.0

Any student who exits the program at any time will be required to submit to a criminal background check and Medical Assistant Program paperwork upon being readmitted. 

Accepted students to the Medical Assistant program must fulfill the following requirements:

  1. Complete a national criminal background check and drug screening. Medical assistant courses with a clinical component may not be taken by a person who has been denied background clearance.
  2. You may only repeat each medical assistant (MAP) core course once. If a you are not successful with a second attempt of a MAP course, you will not be able to progress and be withdrawn from the program. 
  3. Must be in optimum health as evidenced by the physical examination form. To ensure the health and safety of patients, fellow students, faculty and other health care providers while enrolled, the medical assistant student will be:  required to achieve in a very rigorous academic program; involved in very stressful situations on a one to one basis; called upon to work with groups of people in stressful situations; required to use effectively all sensory organs; engage in activities which require above average manual dexterity; expected to bend, squat, reach, kneel and be able to carry and lift 50 pounds from the floor, to shoulder height and overhead, move, and turn persons who weigh at least as much as he/she does; required to be on his/her feet for six to twelve consecutive hours.
  4. Note for Transfer Students: Any transfer student applying for admission, who has been enrolled in a medical assistant curriculum other than EICC, will be required to meet with the Medical Assistant Program Director to discuss placement in the curriculum. The transfer student must meet the requirements set forth in the EICC admission/progression policy. Course syllabi and clinical site information from the transferring institution will be required for review.  The student may also be asked to provide written authorization allowing contact with instructors from the transfer institution regarding class and clinical performance.  In some cases, a letter of reference regarding theory, clinical and overall student conduct may also be required from the chair of health programs at the transfer institution.  Information acquired from these contacts will be considered in acceptance and proper placement into EICC medical assistant curriculum. 

Must be completed by the end of the first semester:

  • Proof of AHA Healthcare CPR
  • Physical with current vaccinations
  • Completion of Child and Adult Iowa Abuse certificates
  • All Medical Assistant course work

Students have to buy a stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, black scrubs and pay for the certification exam. Because this program is offered in a hybrid fomat, you also need a computer. 

 

Our program prepares you for the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) Medical Assistant Certification Exam. You can also take an extra, optional course which makes you eligible to take the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) Exam and Certified Medical Assistant Exam. Our program meets the educational prerequisite to sit for the exams. See Professional Licensure for more information.

Medical assistant students in class practicing taking temperature

Choice & Convenience

We are the only Medical Assisting program in the region that provides you a choice; take day or evening classes. Even better, take a majority of your classes online. Just come to campus to complete your labs. No other program in the area offers a hybrid format or night classes.

Two students talking with Student Services staff member

Iowa's Last-Dollar Scholarship

You may be eligible to earn a degree in this high-demand field for zero tuition costs! You file for financial aid, and if your Expected Family Contribution is at or below $20,000, the state covers the remaining balance beyond the aid for which you are eligible. More than two dozen career programs qualify, including this one. File your FAFSA by July 15.

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Female student smiling sitting in front of a computer monitor

Online to Fit Your Needs!

With more than 1,000 online students each semester and years of experience, we are an established leader in online education. Take classes on your schedule and be fully supported in reaching your goals. In addition to your instructor, take advantage of advising, tutoring, and all services EICC students enjoy.

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Ready to Launch?

Start here. Earn a certificate. Build new skills in a short-term program. Step into the field and enjoy the edge you now have in the job market. From baking to digital analytics, we give you a launching pad.

Where do you want to go?

Employment and Wage Outlook

Contact Admissions

Contact the admissions representative from the college you plan to attend. If you’re not sure, you may contact any rep. Each can answer questions about any college or program.

Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

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Medical Assistant: Locations

Muscatine Community College

152 Colorado St.
Muscatine, IA 52761
Map and Directions

Scott Community College

500 Belmont Rd.
Bettendorf, IA 52722
Map and Directions