Medical Assistant – Credit

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CWI Medical Assistant Credit Program

If I can help patients get to a place where they're comfortable and confident, I've done beyond what I ever imagined I could in the medical field. Jacquelyn Acance, CMA (AAMA)

Get Started Today

Now is the time to get a start on your future healthcare career with the Medical Assistant program at College of Western Idaho. Classes start this August with your training completed in as little as 9 months!
  • Get real world skills
  • Flexible learning options
  • Fully accredited program
  • Credits can transfer to other universities and colleges
  • Affordable tuition at $139 per credit
  • Financial aid and scholarships for those who qualify

Let's Get Started! APPLY TODAY

Prepare for your future career in healthcare in College of Western Idaho's (CWI) Medical Assistant – Credit program. Learn the knowledge, skills, and behaviors needed to be a competent, entry-level medical assistant. Through practical learning opportunities, you can master the administrative and clerical skills needed to provide quality healthcare to patients in our community and be prepared to complete the Certified Medical Assistant exam.


Entry-Level Skills to Begin Your Healthcare Career

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.1

1O*NET OnLine. (2023). Medical Assistants

The Medical Assistant – Credit program will prepare you with:

  • understanding of medical office practices and soft skills necessary for scheduling and patient interactions
  • working understanding of Electronic Medical Records
  • knowledge of medical records coding systems such as ICD10 and CPT codes
  • understanding and practice of HIPPA regulations
  • knowledge of Medical Law and Ethics
  • clinical skills including taking vital signs, removing sutures, giving injections and immunizations, performing EKG, urinalysis, CLIA waive tests, and other labs
  • proficiency with phlebotomy, assisting physicians with minor surgical procedures, and prepping and wrapping instruments used in minor surgical procedures

Industry Partnership:

CWI is excited to partner with Saint Alphonsus to provide opportunities for individuals to expand their education and grow in their careers. Learn more about this partnership.


Fall 2023 Program Updates

Exciting changes are coming to the CWI's Medical Assistant – Credit program starting Fall of 2023. 

  • Complete your Intermediate Technical Certificate (ITC) in only two semesters.
  • A supplemental application process, prerequisite, and corequisite classes are no longer required.
  • Only come to campus for labs, and complete classroom instruction online. 
  • Choose to begin fall or spring semester.

Healthcare Information Sessions IconHealthcare 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.

View Upcoming Sessions


Accreditation IconStatement of Accreditation

The mission of CWI's Medical Assistant – Credit program is to prepare competent entry-level medical assistants in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills) and effective (behavior) learning domains.

The Medical Assistant Intermediate Technical Certificate (ITC) at CWI 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
caahep.org

The following are outcomes for the Medical Assistant program at College of Western Idaho, as reported in the 2022 Annual Report Form (ARF) from the MAERB for the CWI 2020 program cohort:

  1. Retention rate – 94.87%
  2. Employer Satisfaction rate – 100%
  3. Graduate Satisfaction rate – 100%

Respectful Community

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

Medical assistant students working together in lab

Enter the exciting, life-changing world of Medical Assisting through the College’s Credit program.

Dental assistant students in lab

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.

Students attending a barbecue hosted by Saint Alphonsus Aug. 27, 2019

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

Group of Medical Assistants.

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

Health Science Student in medical classroom

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