Medical Assistant
Why study to be a Medical Assistant?
Set in a simulated clinical setting, with supportive instructors and a team-centered approach, the COCC Medical Assistant (MA) program prepares students for high-demand, entry-level health care careers. Duties of MAs include recording medical histories, taking and recording vital signs, giving vaccines, and drawing blood. MAs are outpatient specialists also cross-trained to serve in administrative roles, from front-line patient support to maintaining electronic medical records.
"The Medical Assistant field is highly academic and skills-based, and gives almost as much diversity of where you can go as a nurse."
Dr. Marilyn Waller-Niewold, Medical Assistant assistant professor
Requiring just four terms of training (prerequisites included), classes for this cohort-modeled certificate program are held in COCC’s state-of-the-art Health Careers Center. A new cohort of 32 students starts each Fall term, culminating with a 160-hour, hands-on practicum with local medical offices. As a gateway to other medical training, or a meaningful occupation that contributes to the well-being of the community, Medical Assistant programs offer a versatile, rewarding entrance into the world of health care.
Our program aligns with the legal standards of practice necessary for professional licensure in the state of Oregon. After obtaining your license, if you consider relocating to another U.S. state, explore our resources to understand whether your skills meet licensing requirements in different states.
FUTURE STUDENTS
Learn more about attending Central Oregon Community College.
Program-Specific Information
Medical assistants support health care providers in offices or clinical settings in a broad range of administrative and clinical skills. Duties might include taking a patient's medical history and vital signs, preparing patients for exams and medical procedures, or administering select tests or medications as directed by clinicians. Administrative duties may require maintenance of medical records, patient scheduling, knowledge of insurance regulations, and basic secretarial and receptionist skills.
Training Partnership with St. Charles Health System
A nine-month, noncredit Medical Assistant program training partnership between COCC and St. Charles Health System, based at the Bend hospital, offers hospital employees looking for career advancement both essential clinical experience and eventual employment opportunities. Tuition is covered by St. Charles, with instruction provided by COCC. Accepted trainees commit to working as a medical assistant for St. Charles Health System for at least two years.
Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam
The program's one-year certificate readies graduates to sit for their certified medical assistant (CMA) exam. While certification isn't mandated by Oregon law, it serves as the industry's de facto standard. COCC's exam passage rate is in the 90% range, compared to the national average which is in the 60% range.
Unique Features
Important Links
Contacts
Allied Health Department541-383-7420
Department Directory
Shannon Waller, Associate Professor
Medical Assistant
Chair of Allied Health
541-318-3722
swaller@cocc.edu
How to Pay for College
Our Financial Aid staff can guide you through ways to pay for college.
Learn More
COCC's Admissions Specialists provide webinars and virtual sessions to learn more about COCC.
Accreditation
The Central Oregon Community College Medical Assistant Career Pathway Certificate of Completion Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org), upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board, MAERB.
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355 - 113th St. N, #7709, Seminole, FL 33775
727-210-2350
Central Oregon Community College is accredited by:
The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
8060 165th Ave. NE, Suite 100 Redmond, WA 98052
www.nwccu.org | 425-558-4224
Medical Assistant Statistics
Below is a table which shows the outcomes of the COCC Medical Assistant program as reported to the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB) on the program’s 2023 annual report.
|
Cohort Year |
Retention |
Job Placement |
Credentialing Exam Passage |
Graduate Satisfaction |
Employer Satisfaction |
|
2022 |
97% | 90% | 90% |
100% |
100% |
|
2021 |
100% |
93% |
96% |
100% |
100% |
|
2020 |
97% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
|
2019 |
95% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
|
2018 |
87% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
|
Five-Year Average |
95% |
95% |
96% |
100% |
100% |
|
*Numbers are rounded to the nearest whole number |
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