Oakton Unveils New Medical Assistant Program
(July 19, 2016) Oakton is proud to announce a new medical assistant certificate approved by the Illinois Community College Board starting this fall in order to meet the growing demands in the health care field.
Many employers in the industry prefer credentialed medical assistants. Oakton’s medical assistant concentration is designed to provide an understanding of medical terminology, human anatomy and communicable disease transmission. The 44-credit hour program may be completed in two years. Upon completion, students are eligible to apply for and take a national certification exam.
“There’s a void for this kind of program in the North Shore suburban area,” said Dean of Science and Health Careers Ruth Williams.
Williams said the college began developing the program two years ago, and Oakton received crucial help from Advocate Medical Group, Northwest Community Medical Group and NorthShore Medical Group.
“These industry leaders played a vital role serving on an advisory board for the college and assisting with the curriculum development of Oakton’s medical assistant certificate,” Williams said.
Medical assistants perform administrative and clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing and coding 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 a physician.
The need for medical assistants continues to skyrocket. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment in this profession is expected to grow by 23 percent well until the next decade. An aging population, as well as increased access to health care and advances in technology, are some of the reasons for a bright future for medical assistants. According to salary.com, the median annual income for medical assistants in the Chicago area is approximately $35,000.
Oakton is currently accepting applications for the fall semester. Classes start Monday, Aug. 22, at the college’s Des Plaines campus, 1600 E. Golf Road. For more information, contact Julie Rosenberg, health career advisor, at 847-635-1266 or jmrosenb@oakton.edu.
