The Medical Assistant Certificate prepares students for careers in a medical office or ambulatory care setting. The medical assistant performs a variety of administrative and clinical skills to assist physicians or other health professionals. Students will learn skills in accordance with the standards and guidelines recommended by the Medical Assistant Education Review Board. Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate is eligible to take a national certification exam.
The employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 18 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 104,400 openings for medical assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
The median annual wage for medical assistants was $35,850 in May 2020.
Those admitted will be required to submit a current and complete physical examination record, clear criminal background check and drug screen. Additionally, each medical assistant student must be able to perform each of the following essential skills.
We also recommend that you view our Information Session video below prior to applying.
Applications are accepted until the program is at full capacity.
Prior to applying, all applicants are encouraged to meet with Julie Rosenberg, the health career advisor at jmrosenb@oakton.edu.
Foreign high school graduates or students with foreign college credits need to send English-translated copies of their transcripts to Educational Perspectives. Students with foreign college credits should request a catalog match.
In compliance with the Americans with Disability Act, Oakton College does not discriminate on the basis of disabilities in admission policies of applicants to the Medical Assistant Program. Students admitted into the program must meet certain physical, communicative/cognitive and emotional/psychological criteria (listed below) with or without use of assistive devices or other approved techniques.
Motor
Auditory
Sensation
Communication
Retention
Attitude/Behavior
This is a limited enrollment program. All Oakton College Health Career students in nursing, physical therapist assistant, medical laboratory technology, pharmacy technician, phlebotomy, health information technology, and medical assistant programs must have “clear” criminal background checks and drug screens in order to participate in any and all clinical components of any health career program courses. To comply with state statutes and clinical affiliation agreements, and to provide a safe environment for students, employees, and patients cared for by students, those accepted into Oakton’s health career programs will be required to complete a criminal background check and drug screening through a company contracted by the College. Health Career students will be charged a fee for this service. An additional drug screening may be required prior to the student’s practicum experience.
Health Career curricula are governed by specific objectives, rules and regulations formulated by the College, accrediting bodies, and participating clinical facilities. Students should familiarize themselves with these standards. Each student’s right to participate in the clinical portion of the curriculum is also contingent upon compliance with the rules of the clinical facility. The clinical facility has sole discretion to determine when its rules have been violated. Clinical placements require a health assessment, certain immunizations, yearly flu vaccine, substance abuse testing, criminal background check, specific skill certification (i.e., CPR), and health insurance. The requirements represent an additional cost to the student.
Below is a suggested sequence of courses:
Meet our part-time faculty
Myrthe Potts
Lecturer
A.A. Health Administration, University of Phoenix
B.S. Health Administration, University of Phoenix
mpotts@oakton.edu
847.635.1684
Office: 100, Lee Center, Des Plaines