Length: 3 semesters (Full-time and part-time options available.)

Award: Diploma
Associate of Applied Science degree upon completion of additional courses.

Description: In the clinical area, medical assistants (MAs) take patients to the examination room, ask about and record symptoms, and measure the patient’s height, weight and blood pressure. MAs also prepare instruments for and assist with minor surgeries, assist the physician with patient exams, obtain EKGs, give injections and draw blood for routine lab work. MAs may also be employed in an administrative position responsible for greeting patients, answering phones, scheduling appointments, and managing medical records, insurance payments and patient accounts.

Education: Kirkwood’s one-year Medical Assisting program includes classroom and laboratory experience, and a clinical internship at a physician’s office. The program may also be taken on a part-time basis. Most classes are offered each semester and selected classes are offered in the evening.

After earning a Medical Assisting diploma, graduates are eligible to take the nationally recognized Certified Medical Assistant exam. Most employers require certification within one year of employment.

The Kirkwood Medical Assisting diploma 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)

The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs can be contacted at:
727-210-2350
1361 Park Street
Clearwater, FL 33756

For more information contact:
Dawn Eitel, CMA (AAMA)
221 Linn Hall
319-398-5566
dawn.eitel@kirkwood.edu