Are you looking for a fulfilling, rewarding career in the healthcare industry? Do you want to make a difference in the lives of those around you while working in a fast-paced and constantly evolving field? College of Western Idaho's (CWI) Medical Assistant – Credit program may be the perfect fit.
Medical Assistants are key members of a healthcare team working alongside doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to provide essential patient care. They play a dual role in both administrative and clinical tasks.
These roles are also in high demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of Medical Assistants from 2021 to 2031 will grow 16 percent, with about 123,000 openings per year over the next decade. Opportunities may be found in a wide variety of settings, including physician offices, clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, and more.
"With the healthcare and social assistance industry world continuing to grow, our Medical Assistant – Credit program can help prepare those interested in these careers and fill the demanding needs," said Department Chair of Health Professions and Associate Professor, Dr. Sabina Omair. "We have incredible faculty and staff with resources and connections around the Treasure Valley who can help students become employed soon after they graduate."
Medical assistant roles offer an excellent starting point for those seeking a career in healthcare with many opportunities for advancement and growth for students, just ask Alexia Lopez.
“Ever since I was young, I knew when I grew up I wanted to help people,” said Lopez. “I always wanted to be a doctor and I still want to be. I knew going to college would help me further my education to pursue those dreams.”
Lopez enrolled in the College’s Medical Assistant – Credit program because it was a way to get her foot in the door to start helping patients and expand her medical knowledge.
Once she began the program, Lopez knew she made the right choice by choosing CWI because of its hands-on instruction that prepared her and her classmates for the real-world challenges of a Medical Assistant's role. She was able to learn critical skills in administrative tasks, such as scheduling appointments and maintaining medical records, as well as clinical tasks like taking vital signs, collecting patient histories, and assisting with exams.
The program also included a clinical-practice component, where students complete 180 hours of supervised experience in a healthcare setting to gain practical experience and build their skills. Lopez was able to work her externship at a Saint Alphonsus obstetrics and gynecology office in Boise which helped her solidify that this is the career path for her.
“I have felt a new sense of motivation and love for having access to education,” Lopez said. “I am so thankful I am able to attend college and follow my dreams.”
With her Intermediate Technical Certificate (ITC) earned from CWI's program, Lopez will pursue her Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Sciences at Boise State University, while working as a licensed Medical Assistant. Her ultimate goal is to attend a Physician Assistant school and further her career in the medical field.
She is grateful for the knowledge and experience she earned at CWI which has inspired her to continue to follow her dreams.
“CWI has helped me reach my goals!”
Don't miss out on the opportunity to earn your ITC quickly with CWI's revamped two-semester Medical Assistant – Credit program, starting Fall 2023. No application is required, and registration is open throughout the registration period. Pre- and co-requisite classes are no longer necessary.
CWI’s Medical Assistant – Credit program offers classes in both fall and spring semesters. For Fall 2023, CWI will offer two different sections students may enroll in.
9 a.m. – noon
5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
To learn more about CWI’s Medical Assistant – Credit program, please contact Sabina Omair at sabinaomair@cwi.edu.
