Iowa Medical Assistant Programs

New graduates celebrate with their families at their nursing commencement ceremony.

How to Become a Medical Assistant in Iowa - Top Medical Assistant Programs in Iowa

Medical assistants perform a number of important job duties, assisting doctors and nurses with both medical and administrative tasks. As a result, a medical assistant will need to possess a wide range of different skills. There are opportunities available for medical assistants in Iowa in both doctor's offices as well as hospitals. To start the process of learning how to become a medical assistant in Iowa, it's a good idea to learn more about what the job entails and what training programs are available. Generally, students can choose to complete either a one-year certificate program or a two-year associate's degree from an accredited Iowa school.

Coursework in these various medical assistant programs in Iowa will include first aid, medical billing, medical terminology, and anatomy. After completing the one or two-year program, the next step in how to become a medical assistant in Iowa is to take a certification exam. This exam is offered three times a year, administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants. It must then be renewed every five years. While you do not need to earn this certification in order to work as a medical assistant in Iowa, some employers may require that you have this certification. There are a number of tasks that a medical assistant will perform in a typical work day, including taking vital signs, assisting with medical record-keeping and administering injections.

A good source of information for those looking for the best medical assistant programs in Iowa is the Iowa Society of Medical Assistants. This professional organization provides continuing education and certification for medical assistants in this state, along with networking opportunities. There are currently over 900 professional members in Iowa. They are associated with the American Association of Medical Assistants, which provides the Certified Medical Assistant credential outlined above.

The cities with the highest percentage of jobs available for medical assistants include Iowa City, Sioux City, and Des Moines. Some of the top medical assistant programs in Iowa are offered through technical colleges as well as community colleges. Keiser University offers a Medical Assisting associate's degree, while Allied Health Institute offers a Diploma in its Medical Assistant program. Other schools awarding associate's degrees in Medical Assisting include Independence University online and Brown Mackie College in Bettendorf. These programs generally take between one to two years to complete, at which time prospective medical assistants can then go ahead with the certification exam offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants, and join the Iowa Society of Medical Assistants.

• Iowa Department of Health