The Medical Assistant program is offered as a certificate or two-year associate in applied science degree program that prepares students to work in a medical office and perform both administrative and clinical procedures. The program is offered in both full-time and part-time class schedules. Medical assistant classes include hands-on clinical experience.
Medical Assistant administrative duties include scheduling appointments, patient registration and health insurance duties. Clinical duties include recording vital signs and preparing patients for examination. Medical assistants may also collect blood specimens, perform laboratory tests, sterilize equipment, instruct patients about medication and special diets, prepare and administer medications, authorize drug refills and perform EKGs.
In addition to earning a medical assistant degree or certificate, students also have the opportunity to earn a certificate to become a Health Care Office Assistant. This short-term certificate can be completed in one or two semesters.
Prospective students must follow specific registration criteria before being admitted into the program and follow the registration checklist located in the Medical Assistant registration packet.
Determine Your Path
Medical assistants are one of the ten fastest-growing careers in health care. Medical assistants work alongside physicians and other providers mainly in out-patient or ambulatory facilities such as medical offices.
You want to attend a credible college that stands out from the rest. At COD, you'll discover:
- Dedicated instructors with years of professional experience.
- Affordable programs to help you achieve success without creating overwhelming debt or draining a savings account.
- Instruction utilizing top-notch facilities and equipment in the Health and Science Center.
Health Care Office Assistant, Certificate
A student in the Health Care Office Assistant Certificate program will learn appointment scheduling, front office tasks, basic accounting, basic insurance coding, and legal and ethical responsibilities as they pertain to administrative office in health care settings.
Medical Assistant, A.A.S.
Medical assistants are trained to work in ambulatory settings, such as physicians' offices. These multi-skilled personnel perform administrative and clinical procedures such as billing and coding, maintaining medical records, appointment scheduling, recording vital signs, preparing patients for examination, collecting blood specimens, performing basic laboratory tests, performing electrocardiograms (EKGs), preparing and administering medications, and assisting physicians with treatment and minor procedures. This degree requires a minimum of 64 credits in program requirements and electives.
Medical Assistant, Certificate
Medical assistants are trained to work in ambulatory settings such as physicians' offices. These multi-skilled personnel perform administrative and clinical procedures such as billing and coding, maintaining medical records, completing basic clinical assessments, recording vital signs, preparing patients for examination, collecting blood specimens, performing basic laboratory tests, performing electrocardiograms (EKGs), preparing and administering medications, and assisting physicians with treatment and/or minor procedures. This certificate requires a minimum of 39 credits in program requirements.
The College of DuPage Medical Assistant Certificate Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of the Medical Assistant Education Review Board (MAERB) for the years 2019 - 2023.
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355 - 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
Phone: (727) 210-2350
Fax: (727) 210-2354
Email: mail@caahep.org
The College of DuPage Medical Assisting program has a five-year average of 80.41% for job placement and a five-year average of 82.89% for national exam passage for the years 2019 - 2023.
COD Stories
"Medical assistants make a difference in patients’ lives every day. As a medical assistant, you perform clinical duties while managing administrative tasks in a variety of medical offices." - Sara Starodub
Sara's COD StoryGet Started Today
The first step to getting started in the Medical Assistant program is to read the Medical Assistant Registration packet. The packet contains a registration checklist that you will need to follow in order to register for the program.
Academic and Career Pathways give you a roadmap to achieving your career goals. Follow a pathway based on your degree or certificate that outlines which classes you need to take and when so you graduate on time or move on to the next phase in your career.
In accordance with program goals outlined by the American Association of Medical Assistants, College of DuPage Medical Assistant Program goals are: To prepare competent entry-level medical assistants in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.
Upon completion of the Medical Assistant Program, the graduate will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the subject matters required for competence in the profession and demonstrate competence in the following academic subjects:
Foundations for Clinical Practice
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Applied Mathematics
- Infection Control
- Nutrition
Applied Communications
- Concepts of Effective Communication
Medical Business Practices
- Administrative Functions
- Basic Practice Finances
- Third Party Reimbursement
- Procedural and Diagnostic Coding
Medical Law and Ethics
- Legal Implications
- Ethical Considerations
Safety and Emergency Practices
- Protective Practices
Program Learning Outcomes
Medical Assistant program graduates will:
- Identify structure and function of human body
- Demonstrate basic math computations
- Demonstrate Infection Control
- Identify dietary nutritional needs
- Apply medical terms and abbreviations
- Apply verbal and non-verbal communication
- Apply law and ethics for medical assistant
- Perform medical business practices
- Demonstrate safety and emergency practices
- Demonstrate appointment scheduling
- Demonstrate patient registration procedures
- Demonstrate medical insurance billing procedures
- Compose clear and accurate correspondence using electronic technology
College of DuPage partners with several four-year institutions to help students seamlessly complete a bachelor’s degree to become a medical assistant. Students can connect with Transfer Services for personalized guidance on transfer opportunities.
For more information about Transfer Pathways, visit the College of DuPage Catalog. The pathway outlines a typical two-year course plan for completing an AA or AS degree before transferring to a four-year program. Course requirements vary by institution, so consult your faculty or academic advisor for specific guidance.
Articulation Agreements
College of DuPage maintains transfer agreements with many colleges and universities to ensure a smooth transition toward a bachelor’s degree. These agreements often include a defined course sequence. Students should regularly meet with a faculty member or the Counseling and Advising office to stay on track.Transfer Guides
Beyond articulation agreements and guaranteed admission programs, College of DuPage courses transfer to many other institutions. Transfer Guides help students select COD courses that meet prerequisites for specific majors and include details such as contact information, major requirements, general education requirements, and transfer policies.Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to your frequently asked questions regarding the Medical Assistant program.
Medical assistant jobs vary from office to office, but in general, these health care workers will greet patients, update and file patient and medical records, fill out insurance forms, schedule appointments and handle billing and accounting procedures.
In addition, a medical assistant takes patient medical histories and vital signs, prepares patients for examination, collects blood specimens by both capillary or veripuncture technique, gives injections, removes sutures, performs basic laboratory tests, sterilizes equipment, authorizes and phones in drug refills, perform EKGs and explains treatment procedures to patients.
As with any healthcare position, there are certain occupational risks that come into play with being a Medical Assistant and those hazards include the following:
- Exposure to infectious diseases
- Sharps injuries
- Bloodborne pathogens and biological hazards
- Chemical and drug exposure
- Ergonomic hazards from lifting, sitting, and repetitive tasks
- Latex allergies
- Stress
