Medical Assisting

Perform essential patient care

Collaborate with health care practitioners while delivering high-quality administrative and clinical care for patients in the outpatient setting. As a medical assistant, you will work in physician offices or other outpatient medical office settings assisting the provider with patient exams, obtaining vital signs, recording patient histories, obtaining samples for diagnostic testing, performing electrocardiograms, giving vaccinations and many other exciting job functions.

Your certificate in medical assisting will prepare you for work in the fast-growing health care field providing the administrative and clinical skills required to succeed in your new career. With a projected industry growth of 18%, you can be confident your future is bright.

Program accreditation

The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB).

What can you do with a certificate in Medical Assisting?

A certificate in Medical Assisting prepares you for the entry-level psychomotor, cognitive and affective competencies required to obtain certification as a medical assistant, allowing you to sit for the CMA (AAMA) examination offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants and to begin work in the field as a medical assistant. Medical Assistants typically work in the outpatient medical setting in areas such as physician offices, outpatient care centers and immediate care centers.

Administrative duties include:

scheduling and receiving patients
preparing and maintaining patient records
submitting insurance claims
handling telephone calls and written correspondence
performing medical transcription
maintaining practice finances

Clinical duties include:

performing first aid and CPR
collecting and processing specimens
taking patient histories and vital signs
assisting physicians with examinations and treatments
performing select diagnostic tests
giving medications as directed by the physician and as permitted by state law

Attend information session

We want to get you started in this program! First, make sure you have met the admission requirements.
You need to:
- Come to an info session: attend a Medical Assisting information session and enroll within two years.
- Meet prerequisites: Pass BIO 111 or BIO 244 and BIO 245 or equivalent transfer course with a grade of C or higher.
- Be in good academic standing: Have a CLC cumulative G.P.A. of 2.0 or above.
- Be 18 years old on the first day of class.
- Be eligible to work and have a valid Social Security number.
Your College & Career Navigator (CCN) will guide you through the admission process.

Highlights

WIOA Program

Eligible for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)-awarded vouchers.
Financial Aid/Scholarships Available

Based on need and/or achievement. Explore ways to pay for college.
Career Certificate

Earn a career certificate in 1 year or less to refine your skills into an in-demand career.
Program Length: 1 Year

Full-time students finish in 1 year.

Career Outlook

Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $30,687
  
  Median
  
  $39,303
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $48,668
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $14.74
  
  Median
  
  $18.89
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $23.39
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  20.54%
  
  Certificate
  
  44.74%
  
  Some college
  
  17.2%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  0.05%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  17.47%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Perform secretarial duties using specific knowledge of medical terminology and hospital, clinic, or laboratory procedures. Duties may include scheduling appointments, billing patients, and compiling and recording medical charts, reports, and correspondence.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $34,212
  
  Median
  
  $39,601
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $49,919
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $16.44
  
  Median
  
  $19.03
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $24.00
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  52.96%
  
  Certificate
  
  19.88%
  
  Some college
  
  1.18%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  25.97%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).

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Need help?

Your College & Career Navigator (CCN) is your "go-to person" ready to help you get started at CLC.

Your CCN guides you through the admission process, helps you choose your academic program, enroll in classes and connect you with resources.

Talk to a CCN

Recommended Pathway

This pathway serves as a guide for students to complete the degree or certificate assuming full-time enrollment (registered in 12 or more credit hours per semester) with Semester 1 typically representing a Fall term. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their College and Career Navigator (CCN) to identify coursework that will meet degree requirements based on individual academic goals. For a more inclusive list of course options, see the college catalog.

View program in catalog

Icon Key

Credit for prior learning available
Dual credit options available
Global citizenship
Online/Virtual options available

Course Code	Course Title	Credits
CLC 120	CLC 120 College Success Seminar Class Description This course is designed to teach students attitudes and skills valuable for college success. Topics may include: growth mindset, self-advocacy skills, college resources, college culture, financial literacy, and academic success strategies, such as study skills, time management, and goal setting. Throughout this course, students will develop skills necessary for promoting positive human relations in a diverse society.	2
BIO 111	BIO 111 Human Form and Function Class Description This course is intended to provide students with a preliminary introduction to human anatomy and physiology. It is designed to prepare students requiring only a technical level of familiarity with human anatomy, providing the background required for fields such as Surgical Technology and Emergency Medical Technology -- Paramedic.	4
HIT 111	HIT 111 Medical Terminology Class Description This course introduces students to medical terminology used in the healthcare field. Emphasis is on word construction using prefixes, roots, and suffixes. Definitions, spelling, pronunciation, and abbreviations are also included.	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	CLC 120
Course Title	CLC 120 College Success Seminar Class Description This course is designed to teach students attitudes and skills valuable for college success. Topics may include: growth mindset, self-advocacy skills, college resources, college culture, financial literacy, and academic success strategies, such as study skills, time management, and goal setting. Throughout this course, students will develop skills necessary for promoting positive human relations in a diverse society.
Credits	2

Course Highlights
Course Code	BIO 111
Course Title	BIO 111 Human Form and Function Class Description This course is intended to provide students with a preliminary introduction to human anatomy and physiology. It is designed to prepare students requiring only a technical level of familiarity with human anatomy, providing the background required for fields such as Surgical Technology and Emergency Medical Technology -- Paramedic.
Credits	4

Course Highlights
Course Code	HIT 111
Course Title	HIT 111 Medical Terminology Class Description This course introduces students to medical terminology used in the healthcare field. Emphasis is on word construction using prefixes, roots, and suffixes. Definitions, spelling, pronunciation, and abbreviations are also included.
Credits	3

Course Code	Course Title	Credits
MOA 111	MOA 111 Clinical Medical Assisting I Class Description This course introduces the students to the role of the Medical Assistant in the clinical area of the medical clinic, hospital or laboratory. Topics include brief review of medical terminology and anatomy, therapeutic communication, infection control, physical examination, patient coaching, nutrition, vital signs, ECG medical emergencies and assisting with minor surgical procedures.	4
MOA 112	MOA 112 Basic Medical Office Administrative Skills Class Description This course provides students with a foundation of knowledge and skills in the front office of a medical or dental office. It introduces students to the basic administrative skills in an outpatient healthcare setting. Some topics include: scheduling appointments, telephone techniques, legal and regulatory topics, managing the patient's health record, safety and emergency operations in the healthcare setting, among other healthcare related administrative skills. Students should be basic keyboard proficient and comfortable using a computer.	4
HIT 119	HIT 119 Pharmacology Class Description This course introduces students to pharmacology. Content includes terminology, drug classifications, therapeutic use, side effects, contraindications and interactions. Common dosage ranges and routes of administration will also be discussed.	1
MOA 119	MOA 119 Pharmacology Math and Medication Administration for Medical Assistants Class Description This course is an introduction to pharmacology including terminology, drug category, use, side effects, contraindications, and interactions. Common dosage ranges, pharmacology math and routes of administration including oral and parenteral will also be examined.	2
AMT 112	AMT 112 Computer Basics/Software Applications Class Description This course provides a comprehensive study of the use of computers and technologies. Class topics include computer hardware, software, operating systems, and electronic communications such as email, the Internet, and networks. Students will have an opportunity to analyze computer-purchasing strategies, as well as acquire knowledge on data security and storage. Hands-on software experience will be provided utilizing Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, the Internet, and email.	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	MOA 111
Course Title	MOA 111 Clinical Medical Assisting I Class Description This course introduces the students to the role of the Medical Assistant in the clinical area of the medical clinic, hospital or laboratory. Topics include brief review of medical terminology and anatomy, therapeutic communication, infection control, physical examination, patient coaching, nutrition, vital signs, ECG medical emergencies and assisting with minor surgical procedures.
Credits	4

Course Highlights
Course Code	MOA 112
Course Title	MOA 112 Basic Medical Office Administrative Skills Class Description This course provides students with a foundation of knowledge and skills in the front office of a medical or dental office. It introduces students to the basic administrative skills in an outpatient healthcare setting. Some topics include: scheduling appointments, telephone techniques, legal and regulatory topics, managing the patient's health record, safety and emergency operations in the healthcare setting, among other healthcare related administrative skills. Students should be basic keyboard proficient and comfortable using a computer.
Credits	4

Course Highlights
Course Code	HIT 119
Course Title	HIT 119 Pharmacology Class Description This course introduces students to pharmacology. Content includes terminology, drug classifications, therapeutic use, side effects, contraindications and interactions. Common dosage ranges and routes of administration will also be discussed.
Credits	1

Course Highlights
Course Code	MOA 119
Course Title	MOA 119 Pharmacology Math and Medication Administration for Medical Assistants Class Description This course is an introduction to pharmacology including terminology, drug category, use, side effects, contraindications, and interactions. Common dosage ranges, pharmacology math and routes of administration including oral and parenteral will also be examined.
Credits	2

Course Highlights
Course Code	AMT 112
Course Title	AMT 112 Computer Basics/Software Applications Class Description This course provides a comprehensive study of the use of computers and technologies. Class topics include computer hardware, software, operating systems, and electronic communications such as email, the Internet, and networks. Students will have an opportunity to analyze computer-purchasing strategies, as well as acquire knowledge on data security and storage. Hands-on software experience will be provided utilizing Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, the Internet, and email.
Credits	3

Course Code	Course Title	Credits
MOA 115	MOA 115 Insurance and Billing for Medical Assistants Class Description This course introduces the theory, structure, and organization of the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and International Classification of Diseases (Current edition) Clinical Modification (ICD-CM) coding systems. Emphasis will be on the application of coding principles to accurately assign CPT and ICD-10-CM codes to patient encounters in the medical record and on billing forms. Health Insurance, billing, reimbursement and financial management topics will also be covered. This course is for students pursuing a certificate or degree in Medical Assisting and not designed for those who want to become medical coders or billers in hospitals.	3
MOA 211	MOA 211 Clinical Medical Assisting II Class Description This course provides the medical assisting student with skills beyond the basic introductory course. This will be an overview of advanced skills. Emphasis includes: assisting with medical specialties, electrocardiography, assisting with diagnostic imaging. Additional focus will be on surgical instrumentation and assisting with surgical procedures.	4
MOA 210	MOA 210 Clinical Laboratory Procedures for Medical Assisting Class Description This course will provide Medical Assisting students with an Introduction to clinical laboratory procedures in an outpatient medical/physician office setting. Topics will include basic introduction to clinical laboratory safety, specimen collection protocols, infection control procedures and the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE). This course will also introduce students to point of service (POS) CLIA waived testing performed in physician office laboratory setting including urinalysis, basic blood collection and analysis and some microbiology and immunology procedures through both physical and simulation-based learning methods. This course is indented for students in the Medical Assisting program and not those seeking careers in outside the physician?s office laboratory settings.	4
PSY 121	PSY 121 Introduction to Psychology Class Description This course presents the basic concepts and theoretical perspectives for understanding psychology with an emphasis on cultural competence and social justice. It encompasses factors affecting human behavior and mental processes and includes, but is not limited to, the history of psychology, research methodology, the brain and behavior, learning, memory, cognition, language, intelligence, development, personality, abnormal psychology, therapy and social psychology.	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	MOA 115
Course Title	MOA 115 Insurance and Billing for Medical Assistants Class Description This course introduces the theory, structure, and organization of the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and International Classification of Diseases (Current edition) Clinical Modification (ICD-CM) coding systems. Emphasis will be on the application of coding principles to accurately assign CPT and ICD-10-CM codes to patient encounters in the medical record and on billing forms. Health Insurance, billing, reimbursement and financial management topics will also be covered. This course is for students pursuing a certificate or degree in Medical Assisting and not designed for those who want to become medical coders or billers in hospitals.
Credits	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	MOA 211
Course Title	MOA 211 Clinical Medical Assisting II Class Description This course provides the medical assisting student with skills beyond the basic introductory course. This will be an overview of advanced skills. Emphasis includes: assisting with medical specialties, electrocardiography, assisting with diagnostic imaging. Additional focus will be on surgical instrumentation and assisting with surgical procedures.
Credits	4

Course Highlights
Course Code	MOA 210
Course Title	MOA 210 Clinical Laboratory Procedures for Medical Assisting Class Description This course will provide Medical Assisting students with an Introduction to clinical laboratory procedures in an outpatient medical/physician office setting. Topics will include basic introduction to clinical laboratory safety, specimen collection protocols, infection control procedures and the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE). This course will also introduce students to point of service (POS) CLIA waived testing performed in physician office laboratory setting including urinalysis, basic blood collection and analysis and some microbiology and immunology procedures through both physical and simulation-based learning methods. This course is indented for students in the Medical Assisting program and not those seeking careers in outside the physician?s office laboratory settings.
Credits	4

Course Highlights
Course Code	PSY 121
Course Title	PSY 121 Introduction to Psychology Class Description This course presents the basic concepts and theoretical perspectives for understanding psychology with an emphasis on cultural competence and social justice. It encompasses factors affecting human behavior and mental processes and includes, but is not limited to, the history of psychology, research methodology, the brain and behavior, learning, memory, cognition, language, intelligence, development, personality, abnormal psychology, therapy and social psychology.
Credits	3

Course Code	Course Title	Credits	Course Highlights
MOA 212	MOA 212 Medical Assisting Externship Class Description This requires the medical assistant student to integrate and apply knowledge and skills from all previous medical assistant courses in actual patient care settings. Students will perform medical assistant administrative, clinical, and laboratory duties under the supervision of a mentor to effectively transition to the role of a medical assistant. The Medical Assistant Externship takes place during the final semester of the program.	3
MOA 213	MOA 213 Seminar in Medical Assisting Class Description Prepares students with study skills and tips necessary to successfully pass the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam. Course will cover the guidelines for submitting the CMA exam application and review content on the CMA exam. Resume writing and interviewing skills will also be introduced.	1

Course Highlights
Course Code	MOA 212
Course Title	MOA 212 Medical Assisting Externship Class Description This requires the medical assistant student to integrate and apply knowledge and skills from all previous medical assistant courses in actual patient care settings. Students will perform medical assistant administrative, clinical, and laboratory duties under the supervision of a mentor to effectively transition to the role of a medical assistant. The Medical Assistant Externship takes place during the final semester of the program.
Credits	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	MOA 213
Course Title	MOA 213 Seminar in Medical Assisting Class Description Prepares students with study skills and tips necessary to successfully pass the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam. Course will cover the guidelines for submitting the CMA exam application and review content on the CMA exam. Resume writing and interviewing skills will also be introduced.
Credits	1

Total Credit Hours

41

Medical Assisting at CLC

Get the bigger picture

The medical assisting certificate is just one possible way to study biological and health sciences. Get the bigger picture—degrees, credentials and extra options.

View the Medical Assisting program overview

Frequently asked questions

After you receive your certificate, you can sit for the CMA (AAMA) examination offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants. Once you pass the examination, you will earn the CMA (AAMA) Certified Medical Assistant credential.
In the program's final semester, students will be placed in medical practices affiliated with CLC to complete a 160-hour clinical externship. The externship is required by program accreditation, must be an educational experience and cannot be completed in a current employment setting. This clinical externship can be something valuable to add to your resume and may provide the clinical shadow hours required to apply for some Physician Assistant programs after completing a bachelor’s degree.
In this program, you can stack additional certificates, such as the Medical Reception/Receptionist Certificate, and add the A.A.S. degree. With your medical assisting certificate, you can complete the remaining credits for the A.A.S. in medical assisting in one additional year attending full-time.

*Cost includes tuition and other fees, including books and materials before financial aid is applied, such as grants, loans or scholarships. There are many opportunities for financial assistance at CLC. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.

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Perform essential patient care

Program accreditation

What can you do with a certificate in Medical Assisting?

Admission: More needed

Highlights

WIOA Program

Financial Aid/Scholarships Available

Career Certificate

Program Length: 1 Year

Career Outlook

Medical Assistants

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Need help?

Recommended Pathway

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Semester 1 9 Credits

Semester 2 14 Credits

Semester 3 14 Credits

Semester 4 4 Credits