Medical Assisting

Graduates of this program are eligible to sit for the national Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam.

Medical Assisting Program Overview

Are you interested in healthcare and do you enjoy helping others? Working with patients, performing medical procedures and managing a doctor's office are all part of a rewarding career as a Medical Assistant. The School of Health Sciences at Northwestern College offers an Associate's in Applied Science Degree in Medical Assisting where your compassion for others and interest in healthcare is an advantage.

Program Objectives

  • Prepare patients for examination, obtain vital signs and take medical histories
  • Assist with examinations, treatments and office surgeries
  • Perform routine office laboratory procedures and electrocardiograms
  • Instruct patients in preparing for x-ray and laboratory examinations
  • Assume office responsibilities and apply computer knowledge

What You Can Learn

With your associate degree in medical assisting, you will be qualified to:

  • Prepare patients for examination, obtain vital signs, and take medical histories.
  • Assist with examinations, treatments, and office surgeries.
  • Perform routine office laboratory procedures and electrocardiograms.
  • Instruct patients in preparing for X-ray and laboratory examinations.
  • Handle administrative functions.
  • Assume office responsibilities and apply computer knowledge.
  • Take the national Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam.

Medical Assisting Career Opportunities

Medical assisting is projected to be the single fastest-growing major occupation in the United States, and graduates of this program can expect to find employment in a variety of healthcare settings. Medical assistants are in demand at medical offices, hospitals, ambulatory care clinics, outpatient laboratories, free-standing surgical centers and occupational medicine clinics.

Accreditation

The Northwestern College Medical Assisting Associate in Applied Science degree program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB). Curriculum Review Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants Endowment (AAMAE).

Northwestern College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org.

Requirements and Course Offerings

General and Degree Requirements and Course Offerings