North Iowa Area Community College
 WebAdvisor / NIACC E-Mail
Directory / Departments
Maps & Directions
Search / Site Map
Home / Calendar


NIACC Medical Assistant Program

Medical Assistant Program

<BGSOUND src="MedicalAssistant.mp3">

The Medical Assistant program at NIACC is designed to prepare men and women for an exciting career in the medical field. The program prepares students to function as members of the health care delivery team and perform administrative and clinical procedures.

The NIACC Medical Assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org), 1361 Park Street, Clearwater, FL 33756, Telephone: 727/210-2350, upon the recommendation of the Curriculum Review Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants Endowment (AAMAE).

Administrative duties include:

  • scheduling and receiving patients

  • preparing and maintaining medical records

  • performing basic secretarial skills and medical transcription

  • handling telephone calls

  • writing correspondence

  • serving as liaison between the physician and other individuals

  • managing practice finances

 Clinical duties include:

  • asepsis and infection control

  • taking patient histories and vital signs

  • performing first aid and CPR

  • preparing patients for procedures

  • assisting the physician with examinations and treatments

  • collecting and processing specimens

  • performing selected diagnostic tests

  • preparing and administering medications as directed by the physician

97% of available NIACC graduates are employed in training-related jobs.
(2006 NIACC Career Graduate Report)

Employment is projected to grow much faster than average, ranking medical assistants among the fastest growing occupations over the 2006-16 decade.

Entrance Requirements:
High school graduation or the equivalent is necessary for entrance into the program. Students are encouraged to meet with the counselor prior to program enrollment to arrange for assessment in keyboarding, reading, writing, and math to determine if additional course work is required to promote success. A physical examination providing evidence of current immunization and sound physical and mental health is also required prior to Clinical Procedures I.

NOTE: A physical examination providing evidence of current immunization and sound physical and mental health is also required prior to Clinical Procedures I. Criminal background checks and adult/dependent abuse checks will be required. Drug testing may also be required by individual agencies. Results of these checks will be used by contracted clinical facilities to determine clinical eligibility. Costs for requirements will be the responsibility of the student.

Beginning with the January 2001 administration of the Certification Examination, a student with a felony record may not be eligible for Certification Examination unless the Curriculum Board grants a waiver based on one or more of the mitigating circumstances listed in the Disciplinary Standards. The student can verify certification eligibility by contacting the AAMA (American Association of Medical Assistants), 20 North Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606-2903.
 

Suggested Schedule:
If the program is being extended beyond a one-year period, it is required that Clinical Procedures I and II be taking during the final year of the course of study.
 

First Term
BCA-129 Word Processing 2 s.h.
BUS-121 Business Communications 3 s.h.
HSC-120 Medical TerminologyI 3 s.h.
     
MAP-353 Clinical Procedures I 4 s.h.
HSC-150 Body Structure and Function OR
Anatomy and Physiology I and II 4 s.h.(each)
Total 16 s.h.
Second Term
ACC-111 Introduction to Accounting 3 s.h.
ADM-131 Electronic Calculators 1 s.h.
BUS-161 Human Relations 3 s.h.
HIT-210 Basic Medical Insurance and Coding 2 s.h.
ADM-215* Medical Office Procedures 3 s.h.
MAP-358 Clinical Procedures II  5 s.h.
BUS-107 Business Careers 1 s.h.
Total 18 s.h.
Summer Term
(only 8 weeks)
MAP-622 Medical Assistant Practicum 6 s.h.

* Prerequisites: BCA-129, Word Processing and BUS-121, Business Communication

For more information on the Medical Assistant program at NIACC, e-mail  Deb Stockberger at North Iowa Area Community College, 500 College Drive, Mason City, IA 50401 (1-888-GO NIACC)

Gainful Employment Disclosure

Health Division


  Home | Search | Calendars | Directory | NIACC News | Contact Us | Help Desk | Find us on Facebook | NIACC Alerts

North Iowa Area Community College, 500 College Drive, Mason City, IA 50401
641-423-1264 or 1-888-GO NIACC
www.niacc.edu