Students are expected to provide proof of a Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan prior to the start of the program or clinical start for PTA and SLPA. The insurance plan must cover you throughout the length of your clinical experience, which is most cases, consists of the entire length of the program. If you are in need of Health Insurance, please note the following important dates and visit cod.studentbenefitplans.com.

Important Dates

• November 1 through January 15: Open Enrollment
  If you will need health insurance ANYTIME within the next year, you must apply during the current open enrollment period.
• December 15: Deadline to enroll in a plan that will start January 1.
• January 15: Deadline to enroll in a plan that will start February 1.
• After January 15: Enrollment is closed.

If you miss open enrollment, but have a qualifying life event, you can still apply during a Special Enrollment Period.

While we cannot guarantee your official acceptance into the program, you need to be aware that there is short timeframe of when you are able to purchase a Health Insurance plan. The purpose of this step is to make you aware and that the time to research and purchase is NOW. Purchasing health insurance outside of this timeframe will take months and may prohibit your admittance into the Program. NOTE: Obtaining Health Insurance is NOT an application requirement but it is a requirement to be in the program.

You want to attend a credible college that stands out from the rest. At COD, you'll discover:

• Dedicated instructors with years of professional experience.
• Affordable programs to help you achieve success without creating overwhelming debt or draining a savings account.
• Instruction utilizing top-notch facilities and equipment in the Health and Science Center.

Health Care Office Assistant, Certificate

A student in the Health Care Office Assistant Certificate program will learn appointment scheduling, front office tasks, basic accounting, basic insurance coding, and legal and ethical responsibilities as they pertain to administrative office in health care settings.

Medical Assistant, A.A.S.

Medical assistants are trained to work in ambulatory settings, such as physicians' offices. These multi-skilled personnel perform administrative and clinical procedures such as billing and coding, maintaining medical records, appointment scheduling, recording vital signs, preparing patients for examination, collecting blood specimens, performing basic laboratory tests, performing electrocardiograms (EKGs), preparing and administering medications, and assisting physicians with treatment and minor procedures. This degree requires a minimum of 64 credits in program requirements and electives.

Medical Assistant, Certificate

Medical assistants are trained to work in ambulatory settings such as physicians' offices. These multi-skilled personnel perform administrative and clinical procedures such as billing and coding, maintaining medical records, completing basic clinical assessments, recording vital signs, preparing patients for examination, collecting blood specimens, performing basic laboratory tests, performing electrocardiograms (EKGs), preparing and administering medications, and assisting physicians with treatment and/or minor procedures. This certificate requires a minimum of 39 credits in program requirements.

 

The College of DuPage Medical Assistant Certificate Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of the Medical Assistant Education Review Board (MAERB) for the years 2019 - 2023.

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355 - 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
Phone: (727) 210-2350
Fax: (727) 210-2354
Email: mail@caahep.org

The College of DuPage Medical Assisting program has a five-year average of 80.41% for job placement and a five-year average of 82.89% for national exam passage for the years 2019 - 2023.

Academic and Career Pathways give you a roadmap to achieving your career goals. Follow a pathway based on your degree or certificate that outlines which classes you need to take and when so you graduate on time or move on to the next phase in your career.

• Medical Assistant, Associate in Applied Science
• Medical Assistant, Certificate
• Healthcare Office Assistant, Certificate

In accordance with program goals outlined by the American Association of Medical Assistants, College of DuPage Medical Assistant Program goals are: To prepare competent entry-level medical assistants in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.

Upon completion of the Medical Assistant Program, the graduate will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the subject matters required for competence in the profession and demonstrate competence in the following academic subjects:

Foundations for Clinical Practice

• Anatomy & Physiology
• Applied Mathematics
• Infection Control
• Nutrition

Applied Communications

• Concepts of Effective Communication

Medical Business Practices

• Administrative Functions
• Basic Practice Finances
• Third Party Reimbursement
• Procedural and Diagnostic Coding

Medical Law and Ethics

• Legal Implications
• Ethical Considerations

Safety and Emergency Practices

• Protective Practices

Program Learning Outcomes

Medical Assistant program graduates will:

• Identify structure and function of human body
• Demonstrate basic math computations
• Demonstrate Infection Control
• Identify dietary nutritional needs
• Apply medical terms and abbreviations
• Apply verbal and non-verbal communication
• Apply law and ethics for medical assistant
• Perform medical business practices
• Demonstrate safety and emergency practices
• Demonstrate appointment scheduling
• Demonstrate patient registration procedures
• Demonstrate medical insurance billing procedures
• Compose clear and accurate correspondence using electronic technology

College of DuPage partners with several four-year institutions to help students seamlessly complete a bachelor’s degree to become a medical assistant. Students can connect with Transfer Services for personalized guidance on transfer opportunities.

For more information about Transfer Pathways, visit the College of DuPage Catalog. The pathway outlines a typical two-year course plan for completing an AA or AS degree before transferring to a four-year program. Course requirements vary by institution, so consult your faculty or academic advisor for specific guidance.

Articulation Agreements

College of DuPage maintains transfer agreements with many colleges and universities to ensure a smooth transition toward a bachelor’s degree. These agreements often include a defined course sequence. Students should regularly meet with a faculty member or Advising Services to stay on track.

• National Louis University, AAS Medical Assistant to BS Health Care Leadership

Transfer Guides

Beyond articulation agreements and guaranteed admission programs, College of DuPage courses transfer to many other institutions. Transfer Guides help students select COD courses that meet prerequisites for specific majors and include details such as contact information, major requirements, general education requirements, and transfer policies.

• University of St. Francis, AAS Medical Assistant to BS in Health Care Management

Medical assistant jobs vary from office to office, but in general, these health care workers will greet patients, update and file patient and medical records, fill out insurance forms, schedule appointments and handle billing and accounting procedures.

In addition, a medical assistant takes patient medical histories and vital signs, prepares patients for examination, collects blood specimens by both capillary or veripuncture technique, gives injections, removes sutures, performs basic laboratory tests, sterilizes equipment, authorizes and phones in drug refills, perform EKGs and explains treatment procedures to patients.

As with any healthcare position, there are certain occupational risks that come into play with being a Medical Assistant and those hazards include the following:

• Exposure to infectious diseases
• Sharps injuries
• Bloodborne pathogens and biological hazards
• Chemical and drug exposure
• Ergonomic hazards from lifting, sitting, and repetitive tasks
• Latex allergies
• Stress

In 2018, 95% of medical assistants surveyed work in physicians' practices and the other 5% in hospitals, in nursing homes, outpatient facilities, public health departments, and offices of other health practitioners, such as dentists, podiatrists, chiropractors, and optometrists.

Earnings vary depending on location, experience and skill level. However, the average entry-level medical assistant will earn approximately $19.02 per hour according to the AAMA 2021 salary survey.