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.
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.
Application Process and Requirements
Classes beginning Aug. 2023 – The application period opens on Jan. 18, 2023, through the deadline of May 30, 2023.
PLEASE NOTE: Fall 2023 Cohort Applicants will be notified via their CWI Email of the status of their application.
Application Process
- Complete CWI Associate Degree or Technical Certificate application and be accepted to CWI.
- If you have completed a bachelor's or master's degree, submit a Bachelor's Degree Transfer Credit Request form.
- Verify your prerequisite coursework by:
- Reviewing the program Plan of Study on the Requirements Tab
- View Your Progress on my.cwi.edu (Learn How)
- Complete the Medical Assistant Application and submit by the due date.
Medical Assistant Program Application
For help or questions regarding the Medical Assistant Program Application, please contact:
Sabina Omair
sabinaomair@cwi.edu
208.562.2409
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.
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
Applications are now being accepted for CWI’s healthcare programs.
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.