Medical Assistant

Drake State Community and Technical College

Associate's DegreeAcademic

Prepares graduates as medical assistants performing clinical and administrative duties in medical offices. Covers medical terminology, clinical procedures, lab procedures, pharmacology, EKG, phlebotomy, and medical office management.

Credits

65 credits

Format

In-Person

Eligibility Calculator

Which aid programs apply to this program?

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Program Pathways

Credentials this program stacks toward

No program pathways.

Program Requirements

Courses required to complete this program

BIO 120Medical Terminology

3 cr

MAT 102Medical Assisting Theory I

3 cr

MAT 103Medical Assisting Theory II

3 cr

MAT 111Clinical Procedures I for the Medical Assistant

3 cr

MAT 120Medical Administrative Procedures I

3 cr

MAT 121Med Administrative Procedures II

3 cr

MAT 125Laboratory Procedures I for the Medical Assistant

3 cr

MAT 211Clinical Procedures II for the Medical Assistant

3 cr

MAT 215Laboratory Procedures II for the Medical Assistant

3 cr

MAT 216Pharmacology for the Medical Office

4 cr

MAT 220Medical Office Insurance

3 cr

MAT 228Medical Assistant Review Course

1 cr

MAT 229Medical Assisting Practicum

3 cr

Program Details

Detailed information about this program

No detailed information available.

Requirements

What you need to earn this credential

No requirements listed.

Financial Aid

Eligible funding programs

No funding information available.

Scholarships

No scholarships listed.

Medical Assistant

Drake State Community and Technical College

Associate's DegreeAcademic

Credits

65 credits

Format

In-Person

Eligibility Calculator

Which aid programs apply to this program?

Record Quality Eligibility Calculators

Skills & Competencies

Skills developed through this program

Auto-populatedfrom O*NET via SOC 31-9092.00

Skills

SpeakingActive ListeningReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingSocial PerceptivenessCoordinationService OrientationMonitoringWritingJudgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem Solving

Knowledge

English LanguageCustomer and Personal ServiceMedicine and DentistryAdministrativeComputers and ElectronicsBiologyPsychologyPersonnel and Human Resources

Abilities

Oral ComprehensionWritten ComprehensionOral ExpressionNear VisionSpeech RecognitionWritten ExpressionSpeech ClarityDeductive ReasoningInductive ReasoningProblem SensitivityInformation Ordering

Tasks

Interview patients to obtain medical information and measure their vital signs, weight, and height.
Clean and sterilize instruments and dispose of contaminated supplies.
Record patients' medical history, vital statistics, or information such as test results in medical r
Evaluate the functioning of the neuromuscularskeletal system and the spine using systems of chiropra
Diagnose health problems by reviewing patients' health and medical histories, questioning, observing
Perform a series of manual adjustments to the spine or other articulations of the body to correct th
Answer telephones and direct calls to appropriate staff.
Schedule and confirm patient diagnostic appointments, surgeries, or medical consultations.
Complete insurance or other claim forms.

Technology

Billing and invoicing softwareOffice suite softwareAccounting softwareMedical softwareCalendar and scheduling softwareData base user interface and query softwareCategorization or classification softwareInformation retrieval or search softwareWord processing software

Tools

AudiometersAutoclavesBaumanometersBinocular light compound microscopesBlood chemistry analyzersBlood collection vialsBreathalyzersButterfly needlesCanesCast cuttersCentrifugesCredit card readersCrutchesCulturettesDictation equipment10-key calculatorsBarcode attachment equipmentBarcode scannersCredit card processing machinesDesktop computersDictaphonesEncodersFlat-top scannersLabel printersLaser facsimile machinesLaser printersLight pensMicrofiche viewing machinesMicrofilm viewing machinesMulti-line telephone systems

Work Values

RelationshipsSupportAchievementWorking ConditionsRecognitionIndependence

Career Pathways

Occupations this program prepares you for

Program Pathways

Credentials this program stacks toward

No program pathways.

What You'll Learn

Key competencies developed through this program

Auto-populatedfrom NSX Competency Framework

Mastery: developing (Level 2)(based on Associate's Degree)

Patient medical histories and vital statistics — gather and document accurately with minimal oversight using clinic EHR systems in a busy ambulatory care environment.
Examination rooms and procedure trays — set up independently for a variety of routine patient visits, applying knowledge of physician preferences and exam types.
Patients with diverse needs — interview, prioritize, and prepare for physician encounters by applying active listening and social perceptiveness in a multi-provider practice.
Clinical instruments and materials — hand to physicians during routine examinations and minor procedures, anticipating needs based on familiarity with common workflows.
Injections and suture removals — perform under established standing orders, applying learned clinical technique with appropriate attention to patient safety.
Specimen collection and preparation workflows — manage independently, ensuring proper labeling, logging, and timely transport to laboratory services.
Treatment instructions, medication details, and dietary guidance — explain to patients with varying health literacy levels using clear verbal and written communication.
Medical software and billing platforms — use routinely to support accurate coding, invoicing, and administrative documentation in a clinical office setting.
Sterilization and instrument-management cycles — monitor and document to ensure ongoing compliance with infection-control standards across a full clinic day.
Time and patient flow — coordinate across multiple examination rooms by applying scheduling awareness and organizational skills in a high-volume practice.

Program Requirements

Courses required to complete this program

BIO 120Medical Terminology

3 cr

MAT 102Medical Assisting Theory I

3 cr

MAT 103Medical Assisting Theory II

3 cr

MAT 111Clinical Procedures I for the Medical Assistant

3 cr

MAT 120Medical Administrative Procedures I

3 cr

MAT 121Med Administrative Procedures II

3 cr

MAT 125Laboratory Procedures I for the Medical Assistant

3 cr

MAT 211Clinical Procedures II for the Medical Assistant

3 cr

MAT 215Laboratory Procedures II for the Medical Assistant

3 cr

MAT 216Pharmacology for the Medical Office

4 cr

MAT 220Medical Office Insurance

3 cr

MAT 228Medical Assistant Review Course

1 cr

MAT 229Medical Assisting Practicum

3 cr

Program Details

Detailed information about this program

No detailed information available.

Requirements

What you need to earn this credential

No requirements listed.

Financial Aid

Eligible funding programs

No funding information available.

Scholarships

No scholarships listed.

Some details on this page are auto-populated from public workforce data sources: O*NET (opens in new tab), BLS (opens in new tab), College Scorecard (opens in new tab), DOL Training Provider Results (opens in new tab), NSX (opens in new tab). Provided in partnership with LER.me Career Intelligence.