Medical Assisting Certificate
Medical Assisting Certificate
Available at these Campuses: Bridgeview
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The medical assisting certificate program at Northwestern College prepares students to work with patients in both a clinical and an administrative capacity. Although some of the work you do will take place behind a desk and behind the scenes, medical assistants are often the primary point of contact between a patient and his or her healthcare provider. From hands-on patient care and laboratory work to follow-up communication, medical assistants are a huge part of the modern medical office.
That’s why a medical assisting certificate can go a long way in helping boost your healthcare career. With the right certification in place, you can demonstrate to employers that you have the skills, the drive, and the follow-through to become a successful part of their team.
Medical Assisting FAQ
How long is the Medical Assisting program?
At Northwestern College, you can finish your medical assisting diploma in as little as 15 months. You can learn more about our Medical Assisting program by filling out our contact form here or by giving us a call at 1-800-205-2283.
Is the Medical Assisting program a good career choice?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for medical assisting is set to grow by 29% over the next 10 years. This is much faster growth than the average job category.
Is there financial aid available?
Yes! Financial aid is available for those who qualify. Whether it is federal Title IV assistance (via the FAFSA application) or Scholarships available at Northwestern College, our financial aid page can help get you started or you can give us a call at 1-800-205-2283.
Medical Assisting for Today and Tomorrow
Northwestern College’s medical assisting certificate program provides a comprehensive and detailed healthcare education designed to put graduates on the front lines of health care. Job skills acquired through our courses include:
- Preparing patients for examination
- Taking vital signs and medical histories
- Assisting with examinations, treatments, and office surgeries
- Performing laboratory procedures and electrocardiograms
- Instructing patients in preparing for x-ray and laboratory examinations
- Communicating after care instructions
- Assuming medical office responsibilities
- Working with healthcare computers and IT systems
This kind of well-rounded education is what employers have come to expect from those who successfully complete their certificate from an accredited medical assisting school. And because our medical assistant classes are accompanied by an externship program that puts you in the center of an actual medical office, you have an opportunity to put those skills to use even before you graduate.
Learn More about Medical Assisting
Attending school to be a medical assistant is a great first step in exploring all that the healthcare field has to offer. If you’ve ever envisioned yourself as a care provider that patients and their families can rely on, Northwestern College is happy to invite you to learn more. With flexible program options and class times, your new career might be much closer than you realize.
Program Goals
Northwestern College prepares competent entry-level medical assistants in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. Upon completion of the program, it is expected that students will be able to:
- Communicate effectively with patients, supervisors, support personnel, and other healthcare team members using suitable verbal, nonverbal, and written skills
- Apply knowledge of basic sciences and medical theory to the application and appropriate knowledge of administrative and clinical medical assisting procedures
- Apply critical and creative thinking and analytical skills to make sound administrative and clinical judgments to enhance patient care
- Deliver patient care in a respectful manner that reflects sensitivity to individual differences
- Earn the Registered Medical Assistant (AMT) credential
Graduates of the medical assisting certificate program are eligible to sit for the AMT RMA exam.
Course Information
As a medical assisting student, you will enjoy classes such as:
Emergency Preparedness
Students will be trained and certified as health care providers for CPR with AED as well as basic First Aid. Additionally, students will learn the basic principles of emergency management, understanding hazards and emergencies that could affect the workplace, and how to develop an emergency plan for the medical office/setting.
Clinical Assisting Skills
A lecture/laboratory class in which students learn and practice patient positioning, vision screening, vital signs, and other skills related to assisting the physician. Scheduled laboratory time is a requirement of this course.
Diagnostic and Specialized Procedures
Students will gain proficiency in applying and interpreting a 12-lead EKG machine, perform stress tests, and pulmonary function testing. In addition, students will learn how to assist the physician in a variety of specialized clinical procedures and situations to include pediatrics, geriatrics, obstetrics, and gynecology, minor surgical procedures, alternative medicine, nutritional concerns, and other specialty exams and procedures.
Accreditation and Certification
Northwestern College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, 230 S. LaSalle St., Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604, (312) 263-0456, www.hlcommission.org.
Northwestern College is approved for veterans training under the G.I. Bill for Veterans Educational Assistance.
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Making College Affordable
At Northwestern College, we help our students understand their college costs and how to pay for them. We also, understand that applying for financial aid can seem a little confusing and overwhelming, and want to make the process of applying for financial aid as easy as possible. That’s why our Financial Assistance Representatives are available to meet with you to help you understand financial aid and help you navigate through the application process.
Northwestern College participates in several different types of financial aid programs to enable our Financial Assistant Department to offer you the best possible combination of aid awards. We participate in both the Federal Student Aid Programs and Illinois State MAP Program, along with other miscellaneous financial aid programs from various sources (including Veterans Programs).
Most of our students receive some form of financial assistance. We work hard to help you find the money you need to finance your education, guiding you through the financial aid process and helping you explore different financial aid options. Grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study will assist you in paying for a college education. Read on to learn more about these opportunities.
Remember, you can always contact the Financial Assistant Department at any time and speak with one of our Financial Assistance Representatives if you have any questions regarding the financial aid process. We look forward to helping you!
Grants
Grants are need-based awards funded by the federal or state government. Grants are funds that do not require repayment. Learn More
Loans
For many students and parents, loans represents an important resource to help finance educational expenses. Northwestern College participates in the federal student loan program which allows students and their parents to borrow money to help meet their educational costs. A loan is a borrowed money that is expected to be paid back with interest. When you take out a student loan, you are making a legal obligation to repay the loan, so carefully consider the amount you borrow. Be a responsible borrower and borrow only what you need. Learn More
Scholarships/Tuition Discounts
The internal scholarships and tuition discounts that we offer are sums of money that do not require repayment. Last year, we made more than $4 million in scholarships available to students just like you. See which ones you qualify for.
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Get Started Now
Ready to learn more about the possibilities that an NC education can provide? Click or call – we are here to help you begin your journey.
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