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1-Year Medical Assistant Program in Des Moines

DES MOINES, IOWA

Medical assistant program

Mercy College of Health Sciences, MercyOne Des Moines, and Primary Healthcare have partnered to fill the critical need for medical assistants in the Des Moines area. Here’s your chance to make an impact and become a certified medical assistant (MA) in just one year!

No SAT or ACT scores required to enroll — just a high school diploma or GED. 

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Next step before transforming into a life-saving hero: complete the form below. Our admissions team will get you all the info you need to know.

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1-YEAR

Program Length

 

2

In-Person Skills Labs 

$10,000

Approximate Tuition Cost

2

Start Dates Per Year: Fall & Spring

100%

Employment Rate Among Graduates1

ENROLL TODAY — EARN TOMORROW

The Des Moines, Iowa, cohort has open seats — talk to an Enrollment Coach now! 

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YOUR BODY OF WORK

WHAT DOES A MEDICAL ASSISTANT DO?

Medical assistants provide critical physician support services to ensure healthcare facilities run smoothly. As an MA you will act as an important patient liaison in a variety of healthcare settings — such as clinic offices for physicians, podiatrists, and other health practitioners.

Administrative duties

  • Welcome patients
  • Answer telephones
  • Schedule appointments
  • Update and file patient medical records
  • Code and fill out insurance forms
  • Arrange for hospital admissions and laboratory services
  • Handle correspondence, billing and bookkeeping
 
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Healthcare duties

  • Collect medical histories
  • Take vitals
  • Draw blood
  • Explain treatment procedures to patients
  • Administer medications (as directed)
  • Prepare patients for examinations
  • Assist the physician during examinations
  • Perform basic laboratory tests
  • Transmit prescription refills (as directed)
  • Provide wound care

YOUR 1-YEAR COMMITMENT

  • 2 start dates available in October or April
  • 100% online Mercy College coursework
  • 2 six-hour hands-on skill boot camps with an approved instructor
  • 160 hours of in-person clinical practicum (that equates to four 40-hour work weeks)
  • $10,000 approximate tuition cost
  • Unlimited flexibility! Hold a full-time job and earn while you learn.

YOUR FUTURE IN HEALTHCARE

  • 100% job placement rate
  • Post-graduation job opportunities available at MercyOne and Primary Healthcare clinics!
  • 20-30% projected job growth in the next 10 years1
  • Unlimited launchpad for several other healthcare career opportunities
  • Tuition repayment options available in most MA positions

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS? Check out our FAQs!

Begin your Journey

Ready to Chart Your Course as a Mercy College student? Our simple, hassle-free admissions process will have you starting classes in no time, and our admissions team will guide you every step of the way!

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STEP 1
1:1 ENROLLMENT CONSULTATION

Speak with a Mercy College enrollment coach to answer any program questions and start your MA application. 

STEP 2
COMPLETE YOUR APPLICATION

Our streamlined admissions process is quick and easy and facilitated completely online. Feel free to start, stop, and complete all through our enrollment platform. 

STEP 3
COMMIT TO ONE YEAR 

Your Mercy College team and fellow MA cohort peers will be with you every step of the way.

STEP 4
LAUNCH YOUR NEW CAREER

After you complete the MA program and pass your Certified Medical Assistant (AAMA) exam nothing will stop you! Mercy College is partnering MercyOne and Primary Healthcare to fill the critical need for medical assistants in Des Moines and across Iowa. 

Mercy College student studying online

COMPLETE A FREE APPLICATION
The Medical Assisting program is a direct admit program. When you are admitted to Mercy College, you are admitted into the Medical Assisting program! To get started, complete the Mercy College application. If you are transferring credits, please visit our transfer page to learn more.

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The following courses and sequencing is a sample of required courses to graduate from the Medical Assisting program. The following courses are designed to allow students to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant (AAMA) Exam.

Quarter 1
MA 101 - Medical Assisting Administrative Procedures I (4 cr)
MA 106 - Anatomy and Physiology (4 cr)
 
Quarter 2
MA 102 - Medical Assisting Clinical Procedures I (4 cr)
MA 121 - Medical Assisting Administrative Procedures II (3 cr)
Skills Lab - Quarter 2 Skills Lab
 
Quarter 3
MA 108 - Diseases of the Human Body (3 cr)
MA 122 - Medical Assisting Clinical Procedures II (4 cr)
Skills Lab - Quarter 3 Skills Lab
 
Quarter 4
MA 201 - Medical Assisting Professional Components (2 cr)
MA 202 - Medical Assisting Practicum (4 cr)
 
TOTAL: 28 MAJOR CREDITS
 

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FAQ: MEDICAL ASSISTING

All Medical Assistant Careers Medical Assistant Program

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1. Job placement: Job placement statistics are based off of the 2018 graduate cohort.
2. Projected growth: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical Assistants.
3. Pass rates: Exam pass rate is based on 2019 graduates.

Request Info

Next step before transforming into a life-saving hero: complete the form below. Our admissions team will get you all the info you need to know.

Request Info

EMAIL
Admissions: admissions@mchs.edu

PHONE
Admissions: (515) 635-1133
General: (515) 643-3180

About Us

Mercy College of Health Sciences has been transforming students into healthcare professionals since 1899. Located in downtown Des Moines, Iowa, we offer master's degrees, bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, certificate programs, and continuing education courses.

Mercy College is the only private Catholic college in central Iowa and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), in addition to numerous programmatic accreditors.

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Mercy College is a Catholic, accredited, nonprofit institution of higher learning.

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