CWI Medical Assistant Credit Program
Overview
A Medical Assistant performs administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by a physician.
The Medical Assistant program at CWI offers you two pathways for your future career as a Medical Assistant:
- An Intermediate Technical Certificate (ITC) where you complete a semester of pre-requisites then two semesters of Medical Assistant classes.
- An Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree where you complete the ITC and an additional semester of healthcare focused courses, which are available online, to receive an associate degree in addition to the ITC.
Please note, the Medical Assistant program no longer requires a supplemental application process. You are encouraged to review the Plan of Study for your desired pathway and meet with an advisor with questions or for guidance.
Healthcare Information Sessions
Want to learn more about this program and other healthcare programs at CWI? Join a Healthcare Information Session to learn about the programs, what you can do to prepare for the programs, meet advisors and instructors, and ask questions.
Statement of Accreditation
The Medical Assistant Intermediate Technical Certificate (ITC) at College of Western Idaho is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB). This program meets the standards set in the education of quality patient care by competent well-trained professionals.
The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
9355 - 113th St. N., #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
www.caahep.org
The following is the aggregate outcome from our 2021 Annual Report Form (ARF) from MAERB for our 2019 cohort:
- Medical Assisting Program at CWI has average retention rate of 100 percent.
- Medical Assisting Program at CWI has a job placement average rate of 97.78 percent.
- Medical Assisting Program at CWI has an average employer satisfaction rate of 100 percent.
- Medical Assisting Program at CWI has an average graduate satisfaction rate of 100 percent.
Mission
1. To prepare competent entry-level medical assistants in the cognitive (knowledge), Psychomotor (skills) and effective (behavior) learning domains.
2. To prepare medical assistant students to successfully complete the CMA examination and practice as skilled practitioners.
3. To provide real life learning experiences to assist graduates in master of performing administrative and clerical skills to provide quality healthcare.
4. To provide a competent entry level Medical Assistant program to Treasure Valley in number sufficient to meet the needs of the health care community.
What You Will Learn to Do
- Working understanding of medical office practices that include:
- Soft skills necessary for scheduling and patient interactions
- Working understanding of Electronic Medical Records
- Use of medical records coding systems as ICD10 and CPT codes
- Understanding and practice of HIPPA regulations
- Knowledge of Medical Law and Ethics
- Clinical skills that include:
- Proficiency taking vital signs, removing sutures, giving injections and immunizations, performing EKG, urinalysis, CLIA waive tests and other labs
- Proficiency with phlebotomy, assisting physician with minor surgical procedures, prepping and wrapping instruments used in minor surgical procedures
Additional Opportunities
A Certified Medical Assistant credit program is being requested by the industry, specifically local hospitals, to meet the demand for Certified Medical Assistants in outpatient clinic settings.
Requirements and Costs
Degrees and Certificates
Medical Assistant - Associate of Applied Science Degree
2
YEARSAAS
Medical Assistant - Intermediate Technical Certificate
1.5
YEARSITC
Important Dates for Credit Programs
Summer 2023 | Fall 2023 | Spring 2024 | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Priority Registration Begins1 | N/A | April 10 | Nov. 13, 2023 | |
Open Registration Begins | Feb. 27 | April 17 | Nov. 20, 2023 | |
Financial Aid Priority Deadline | May 13 | July 29 | Dec. 16, 2023 | |
Admission Deadline2 | May 27 | Aug. 12 | Jan. 6 | |
Last Day to Register for Classes | June 2 | Aug. 18 | Jan. 12 | |
Tuition and Fees Due | June 2 | Aug. 18 | Jan. 12 | |
Classes Begin3 | June 5 | Aug. 21 | Jan. 16 | |
1 Priority registration is limited to continuing students. Students are assigned a registration time based on their cumulative credits earned. Students should check myCWI and their CWI email to learn their assigned registration time. Students may register online anytime on or after their assigned registration time. | ||||
2 The admission deadline for international students is earlier than the deadline for non-international students and is only available during the fall and spring semesters. Please consult the Academic Calendar for the international student admission deadlines for the fall and spring semesters. | ||||
3 Classes in shorter sessions (including 4-, 5-, and 8-week sessions) may begin before or after this date. Please refer to the Registration and Refund Deadlines by Class Section Dates (located beneath each semester) of the Academic Calendar for more information. |
Skills, Traits, and Prep Classes
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- A desire to serve others
- Exactness and precise attention to detail
- Computer Literacy Skills
- Health-oriented professional image
- Completion of pre-requisite Biology and Medical Terminology, as well as core Math, Psychology, English and Communications
Advising
Navigating your way through college can be confusing, especially if you try to go it alone. CWI offers advising assistance to help in deciding which courses you need to take to reach your education and career goals. Visit Advising or contact One Stop Student Services for more information.
Connecting With Ideas
Connecting With Ideas (CWI 101) is the first semester student success course designed to help CWI students become engaged members of the academic community and cultivate habits for lifelong achievement and success. Each semester, students can select from a variety of themes. More information about next semesters CWI 101 themes
Transfer
Look beyond your degree at CWI and plan for continuing your education by working closely with CWI advising and representatives of your intended transfer school. Planning before you transfer can save you time and money. Visit Transfer Information for more information or contact One Stop Student Services.
Financial Aid Available
Did you know that as a student in this program you may be eligible for financial aid? Through grants, scholarships, and loans, more than 60 percent of first-time, full-time CWI students receive some form of financial assistance. To learn more about financial aid options and whether you may be eligible, visit Financial Aid.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition for a full-time CWI student averages half the cost of a state university and a third of the cost of a private college. Tuition and fees vary based on program and residence. Visit Tuition and Fees for more information.
Career Info
Employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 29 percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations. The growth of the aging baby-boom population will continue to spur demand for preventive medical services, which are often provided by physicians. As their practices expand, physicians will hire more assistants to perform routine administrative and clinical duties, allowing the physicians to see more patients.
Medical Assistants are the most versatile allied health professionals. They are cross-trained to perform clinical and administrative responsibilities. Medical Assistants work alongside physicians, mainly in outpatient or ambulatory care facilities, such as medical offices and clinics. Most full-time Medical Assistants work a regular 40-hour week. Some work part-time, evenings, or weekends.
Locations
Instructors
Program Department Chair
Instructor(s)
Respectful Community
The College of Western Idaho is committed to maintaining a Respectful Community by providing equal opportunity for all individuals and does not discriminate in services, benefits, or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, veteran status, age, or any other legally protected status. More on Title IX
News and Blogs

College of Western Idaho invites anyone interested in or thinking about pursuing a career in healthcare to attend the 2022 Health Professions Open House Tuesday, Nov. 1.

Professional Nursing and Surgical Technology students enjoy food and networking during a barbecue hosted by Saint Alphonsus.

College of Western Idaho students performed blood draws during National Medical Assistants Week, Oct. 16-20.

The CWI Foundation received a $2,000 grant from the John William Jackson Fund.
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