Medical Assistant

Technical Diploma
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Why choose Medical Assistant?

  • Medical assistants are at the heart of healthcare, performing a wide variety of critical tasks that keep the office humming efficiently.
  • This profession requires nurturing and compassion, making it a meaningful career for those who choose it.
  • The Medical Assistant program is accredited by Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, upon the recommendations of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board.
  • Gain confidence with your new skills in our state-of-the art Healthcare Simulation Center.
A trip to the doctor’s office reveals just how busy physicians are—and just how much they rely on their medical assistants. Medical assistants are at the heart of healthcare, performing a wide variety of indispensable tasks that keep the office humming efficiently. It’s also a profession that requires nurturing and compassion, making it a meaningful career for those who choose it.

Program Locations

Marshfield Campus
2600 West 5th Street
Marshfield, WI 54449

Stevens Point Downtown Campus
1001 Centerpoint Drive
Stevens Point, WI 54481

Wisconsin Rapids Campus
500 32nd Street North
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494

What You'll Learn

Mid-State’s Medical Assistant program prepares graduates to work confidently in medical offices and clinics, assisting in the reception, examination, and treatment of patients. You’ll learn valuable clinical and clerical skills as well as how to sterilize equipment and perform lab procedures, EKGs, and injections.

The program’s combination of classroom instruction and clinical practicum at a variety of area medical offices and clinics provides comprehensive, cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) preparation. Successful graduates are eligible to write one of two voluntary national certification exams for medical assistants.

Outcomes

  • Perform medical office administrative functions.
  • Provide patient care in accordance with regulations, policies, laws, and patient rights.
  • Perform medical laboratory procedures.
  • Demonstrate professionalism in a health care setting.
  • Demonstrate safety and emergency practices in a health care setting.

Employability Skills

  • Behave Responsibly: Ethical Behavior, Self-Responsibility, Conflict Resolution, Collaboration
  • Communicate Effectively: Writing, Technical Documentation, Listening, Speaking, Interpersonal Communication, Reading
  • Critical & Creative Thinking: Inquiry, Evidence Collection, Analysis, Reasoning, Reflection (Metacognition)
  • Cultural, Social, & Global Awareness: Global Awareness, Social & Cultural Awareness, Social Responsibility
  • Use Appropriate Technology: Use of Technology, Confidentiality, Security, Digital Civility

Learn more about employability skills at Mid-State.

Estimated Entire Program Cost

Cost based on the 2024/25 academic year.

  • Tuition & Fees: $5,006.63
  • Books: $886.09
  • Supplies, Uniforms, and/or Exams: $58.45
  • Total Estimated Cost: $5,951.17

Financial Aid Eligibility

This program is eligible for full Financial Aid

Cost of Attendance

Learn more about Cost of Attendance, an estimated budget that includes categories of expenses a student can expect to incur while attending. 

This course has options available to receive credit for prior learning (CPL) or work experience.

Term: 1
  Catalog# Title Credits
  31509301 Medical Assistant Administrative Procedures 2
  31509302 Human Body in Health & Disease 3
-or- 10806177 General Anatomy & Physiology  4
  31509303 Medical Assistant Laboratory Procedures 1 2
  31509304 Medical Assistant Clinical Procedures 1 4
  31509320 Medical Terminology for Medical Assistants 2
-or- 10501101 Medical Terminology  3
  31509318 Technology Foundations for Medical Assistants 1
  31801368 Workplace Communication  1
  Term Total   15-17 Credits
       
Term: 2
  Catalog# Title Credits
  31509305 Medical Assistant Laboratory Procedures 2 2
  31509306 Medical Assistant Clinical Procedures 2 3
  31509307 Medical Office Insurance and Finance 2
  31509308 Pharm for Allied Health  2
  31509309 Medical Law, Ethics, and Professionalism 2
  31509310 Medical Assistant Practicum 3
  Term Total   14 Credits
       
  Program Total   29-31 Credits

Instructors

TOM EKSTRAND, BA, CMA (AAMA)

Tom holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics with a minor in computer science and secondary education from Lewis University. He also attended Northcentral Technical College for his Medical Assistant technical diploma and is a certified medical assistant by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Prior to coming to Mid-State Tom worked as a medical assistant for seven years with Aspirus. He also has experience in all levels of education, from elementary school through community college.

“I believe that teaching is a combined effort between the educator and the learner, in an effort to reach a common goal.”


NICHOL SOIK, BS, CMA (AAMA)

Nichol earned her BS in health science with an emphasis in public health from Excelsior University and her medical assistant technical diploma from Fox Valley Technical College. She also holds a CMA (AAMA) credential. Her CMA experience includes family practice and mentoring students during their clinical rotation. She has also worked for the VA as a health tech performing phlebotomy and preparing specimens for transportation and testing. Nichol regularly attends continuing education through the American Association of Medical Assistants to keep up with the educational demands of the ever-changing medical field. 

“I enjoy providing an enriching environment for students to flourish through education and hands-on experience in a field I am very passionate about.”

Careers

  • Appointment Clerk (Medical/Dental)
  • Medical Assistant
  • Medical Records Clerk
  • Appointment Coordinator
  • Dental Aide
  • Medical Administrative Assistant
  • Medical Receptionist
  • Optometric Assistant
  • Patient Services Representative

Video

Fast-Track

High school students are eligible to enroll in this program and all courses required. Learn more about Mid-State Fast-Track.

Accreditation Information

The Medical Assistant program at Mid-State Technical College helps students prepare to complete a national certification exam for Medical Assistants. All (100%) of the 2019 program graduates who attempted a national certification exam earned a passing score on the exam.

Mid-State Technical College has resources available to assist students with successfully completing an academic program. The medical assisting program at Mid-State Technical College has a five-year retention rate of 86.98% for the years 2018-2022.

The Medical Assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of 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 • www.caahep.org

Additional Resources

Criminal Background Form

Medical Assistant Program Handbook

Occupational Risks

Technical Standards

Waiting List Policy

“What I enjoyed most about Mid-State were the instructors. Without their support and encouraging words of wisdom I wouldn't be where I am today!”

HEIDI PEPER, CMA
GRADUATE

Choose Your Path

Career pathways help you take your education one step at a time to maximize your investment and make college fit your life. Earn a credential and start using it in the workforce. Continue with another stack of related courses to gain a more advanced diploma or degree. Explore this program’s pathway in the graphic below. For an even quicker first step to a degree or diploma, check out our short-term certificates.

TransferDual CreditCredit for Prior Learning

Medical Assistant Pathway