Trade Schools
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for medical assistants is projected to grow 16 percent by 2031, much faster than the average growth for all occupations.
As the large baby-boom population ages, the demand for healthcare services will continue to grow and medical assistants will be needed to ensure day-to-day operations in physicians’ offices, hospitals, clinics, and other medical settings run smoothly.
If you live in Iowa and you’re contemplating the idea of starting a career as a medical assistant, this page is for you.
Here we have compiled information about the best medical assistant schools in the region, how much they charge for tuition, how long the programs last, curriculum, and admission requirements.
1Ross College
About the School
Ross College provides hands-on expert-led medical training programs at its Davenport, Iowa campus.
Courses Offered
The Medical Assistant program available at Ross College provides classroom instruction on basic human anatomy and physiology, disease processes, medical terminology, first aid, CMA procedures, and assisting with examinations.
The curriculum also covers basic administrative skills, such as medical charting and filing, basic word processing, computer information, customer service skills, and other routine office procedures.
Graduates are ready for entry-level positions in a physician’s office, a clinic, or another medical setting.
The program can be completed in 30 weeks by day students and in 36 weeks by evening students.
The final portion of the program consists of an externship that gives students the chance to apply what they have learned and practiced in the classroom in a real-world setting.
The six-module curriculum includes classes such as:
- Introduction to the Office Laboratory
- Medical Office Procedures
- Medical Terminology/Anatomy & Physiology
- Medical/Surgical Asepsis and Infection Control
- Keyboarding
- Urinalysis
- Introduction to Word Processing for the Medical Office
- Mathematical Applications in the Medical Office
- Medical Insurance Coding Procedures
- Medical Office Automation
- Hematology
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1801 E Kimberly Rd, Davenport, IA 52807
- Phone: (563) 344-1500
- Website: https://rosseducation.edu
2Mercy College of Health Sciences
About the School
Mercy College of Health Sciences offers hands-on learning programs, an accelerated curriculum, and flexible schedules for students who want to start careers in the healthcare field.
Degree, certificate and continuing education programs are available at the college to prepare students for the workforce quickly.
Courses Offered
A Medical Assisting program designed to be completed in just one year is available at Mercy College of Health Sciences.
The program combines online instruction with two six-hour skills labs and 160 hours of clinical practicum experience at one of the school’s local healthcare partners.
Tuition for this program is approximately $10,000.
The Medical Assisting curriculum includes classes on:
- Medical Assisting Administrative Procedures
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Medical Assisting Lab Procedures
- Diseases of the Human Body
- Medical Assisting Professional Components
- Medical Assisting Practicum
- And other related topics
Contact Information
- Address: 928 6th Ave. Des Moines, IA
- Phone: (515) 635-1133
- Website: https://plus.mchs.edu
3Marshalltown Community College
About the School
Marshalltown Community College offers more than 55 academic programs students can choose from.
The school’s catalog includes programs that can lead to A.A. degrees.
Educational options are also available for transfer students.
In addition, the college offers a variety of programs designed to prepare students for the workforce immediately after graduation.
Courses Offered
The Medical Assisting program available at the Marshalltown Community College focuses on preparing individuals who can complete both medical office administrative tasks as well as clinical and laboratory duties.
Among many other topics, the program includes instruction in basic anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, law and ethics, patient psychology, and medical office procedures.
Students can graduate in only 11 months and become ready for employment in physicians’ offices, specialty clinics, urgent care, hospital laboratories, and other healthcare facilities.
The courses included in the Medical Assisting program may also be used to fulfill elective requirements toward an Associate of Arts degree.
Contact Information
- Address: 3700 South Center Street, Marshalltown, Iowa 50158
- Phone: 641-752-7106
- Website: https://mcc.iavalley.edu
4Des Moines Area Community College
About the School
Des Moines Area Community College offers programs for students who want to start careers in Nursing, Certified Nursing Assisting, and Early Childhood Education at its Urban campus.
The campus includes traditional classroom space as well as patient rooms identical to the ones that can be found in modern medical clinics.
The DMACC Healthcare Simulation Center, which is also located on the campus, features state-of-the-art, life-like, and automated manikins programmed to talk and display symptoms of various illnesses.
This provides students with hands-on experience and prepares them for real-world scenarios.
Courses Offered
A Medical Assistant program is available at the college’s Ankeny campus.
This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
Students learn a variety of skills, including how to:
- Perform administrative duties
- Participate in Emergency Preparedness
- Assist with risk management
- Prepare patients for examinations and treatments
- Give injections and instruct patients about medications
- Clean instruments and order supplies
- Perform lab tests and specimens
- Assist with minor surgery
- Maintain patients’ records
- Take x-rays of the chest and extremities
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 2006 South Ankeny Boulevard, Ankeny, Iowa 50023
- Phone: 515-964-6200
- Website: https://www.dmacc.edu
5Western Iowa Tech Community College
About the School
Western Iowa Tech Community College provides a variety of academic programs for high schoolers, adults, and businesses.
Iowa residents may qualify for free tuition through the Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship.
There is no fee to apply at the college.
Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of General Studies, and Associate of Applied Science degrees are available at the community college, as well as diplomas and certificates.
Western Iowa Tech Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Courses Offered
The college’s catalog features a variety of programs, including:
- Administrative Assistant-Medical Associate of Applied Science- a program that can be completed in two years and is available in Sioux City
- Medical Assistant- a Diploma program available in Sioux City that takes one year to complete
- Medical Coding Specialist- a Diploma program available online and in Sioux City
- Medical Scribe Diploma
- And more
The Medical Assistant program offers classes such as:
- Medical Terminology
- Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology
- Introduction to Keyboarding
- Essentials of Medical Coding
- Fundamentals of Medical Assisting
- Pharmacology
- Medical Insurance
- Medical Laboratory Techniques
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 4647 Stone Avenue, Sioux City, Iowa 51106
- Phone: 712.274.8733
- Website: https://www2.witcc.edu
6Kirkwood Community College
About the School
Kirkwood Community College offers a variety of courses and programs that prepare students for careers in healthcare, business, agriculture, hospitality, and many other fields.
Two-year degrees, one-year certificates and diplomas, and short-term programs are available.
High school dual credit and high school completion courses are also provided at the college.
Kirkwood Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Courses Offered
A Medical Assistant program that can lead to an Associate in Applied Science or a Diploma is featured in the college’s catalog.
Students take classes on subjects such as:
- Basic Anatomy and Physiology
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Introduction to Clinical Procedures
- Medical Lab
- Medical Law and Ethics
- Basic Medical Office Insurance
- And more
The total estimated cost is approximately $11,390 for the diploma program and $15,345 for the Associate in Applied Science Degree.
The Medical Assisting program available at Kirkwood Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
Contact Information
- Address: 6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404
- Phone: 319-398-5411
- Website: https://www.kirkwood.edu
7Hawkeye Community College
About the School
Hawkeye Community College offers training programs for high school students and adults.
Associate of Arts/Science Degrees, Diploma, Certificates, Workforce Education Certifications, and Apprenticeships are available at the college.
Programs are also offered for transfer students.
Hawkeye Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Courses Offered
A Medical Assistant program is available at the college.
Students enrolled in this program learn about clinical procedures, such as taking vital signs, collecting and preparing lab specimens, collecting and recording data, and educating patients.
The program covers office management, scheduling, billing, and other administrative clinic duties as well.
The college provides a patient simulator lab where students learn how to handle and react to different patient scenarios.
More than 192 hours of a practicum course are also included in the curriculum.
This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
The Diploma program can be completed in approximately one year and includes 33 credits.
Classes meet in the day or evenings.
Students also have to take the following pre-requisite courses:
- Fundamentals of Oral Communication
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Introduction to Health Professions
- Introduction to Psychology
- Medical Terminology
Contact Information
- Address: 1501 East Orange Road, P.O. Box 8015, Waterloo, IA 50704-8015
- Phone: 319-296-2320
- Website: https://www.hawkeyecollege.edu
8Orion Education Group USA
About the School
Orion Education Group USA helps students develop the skills that can prepare them for successful careers through hands-on training.
Orion Technical College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Careers Schools and Colleges.
To be admitted to Orion Technical College, applicants must be at least 17 years of age and possess a high school diploma.
A pre-enrollment online assessment and a computer speed and internet speed assessment are also part of the admissions process.
Courses Offered
A Medical Assisting program is available at Orion Technical College.
This program covers the following skills:
- Drawing blood, giving injections, performing EKGs, measuring vital signs, and more
- Developing administrative abilities
- Externship
This program runs for 40 weeks and is available fully online.
The curriculum includes classes such as:
- Pharmacology
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Medical Law and Ethics
- Medical Terminology
- Human Diseases
- Clinical Procedures
- Professional Development
- And more
The total cost for this program is $16,768 for the four terms.
Each term includes 10 weeks.
Financial aid is available for students who qualify.
Contact Information
- Address: 3940 Elmore Ave, Davenport, IA 52807
- Phone: (563)674-6633
- Website: https://orion.edu
9Iowa Western
About the School
Iowa Western offers educational programs for students looking to complete a degree or certificate in a variety of academic areas.
Iowa Western Community College is accredited as a post-secondary institution by the Higher Learning Commission.
Courses Offered
Among many other programs, the college provides the following Medical Assisting courses:
- Medical Assistant Diploma
- Medical/Clinical Assistant Certificate
The Medical Assistant Diploma program prepares students for careers as administrative and clinical assistants in physician’s offices.
Graduates are eligible to take the American Association of Medical Assistants exam and become Certified Medical Assistants.
The Medical/Clinical Assistant Certificate program prepares students with the skills needed to work under the supervision of physicians to provide medical office administrative services and perform clinical duties, such as:
- Patient intake and care
- Routine diagnostic and recording procedures
- Pre-examination and examination assistance
- First Aid
The Certificate program requires 18 credits, while the Diploma program requires 43 credits for graduation.
The Medical Assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
Contact Information
- Address: 2700 College Rd. Council Bluffs, IA 51503
- Phone: 712-325-3200
- Website: https://www.iwcc.edu
10Southeastern Community College
About the School
Southeastern Community College provides academic programs that prepare students for employment in a variety of fields, including healthcare.
Certificate, Degree, and Diploma programs are available.
Southeastern Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Courses Offered
The college provides the following programs that prepare students for careers in a variety of health professions:
- Emergency Medical Services- Certificates and Associate in Applied Science programs are available
- Healthcare Technology Management- an online program that leads to an Associate in Applied Science Degree
- Medical Assistant- a Diploma program
- Medical Coding and Billing- Certificates and Diploma options are available
- Nurse Aide Certificate
- And more
The Medical Assistant Diploma program helps students start rewarding careers in health care in less than one year.
This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program.
The curriculum includes classes on topics such as:
- Medical Terminology
- Administrative Procedures
- Introduction to Electronic Health Records
- Human Relations
- Basic Medical Insurance and Coding
- Specialty Procedures
- Clinical Externship
- And more
In total, the program includes 48 credits.
Tuition is $200 per credit hour for resident students.
Contact Information
- Address: 1500 West Agency Rd, West Burlington, Iowa 52655
- Phone: (319) 208-5000
- Website: https://www.scciowa.edu
Regional Salary in Iowa
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ames, IA | 160 | $39,320 | $18.91 | $46,600 | $31,200 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 460 | $40,980 | $19.7 | $48,860 | $35,420 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 620 | $37,620 | $18.09 | $45,940 | $29,180 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | 1,090 | $43,350 | $20.84 | $49,140 | $35,910 |
| Dubuque, IA | 140 | $38,850 | $18.68 | $45,990 | $34,020 |
| Iowa City, IA | 530 | $44,200 | $21.25 | $52,170 | $37,450 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | 250 | $37,610 | $18.08 | $45,570 | $30,800 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | 270 | $40,040 | $19.25 | $46,420 | $34,490 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have read our list of 10 of the best medical assistant schools in Iowa, it’s time to continue the research and apply for the program that best meets your needs.
This is an important step so take into account your budget, schedule, curriculum, and all the other relevant factors.
