Degrees & Certificates
Medical Assistant
Certificate of AchievementOverview
Medical Assistants are some of the most versatile professionals in the health care industry, with expertise in patient, clinical, and administrative responsibilities.
The industry is growing quickly as medical technology continues to evolve and physician offices and outpatient care centers open to meet the needs of an expanding patient community.
Designed to be completed in one academic year (three semesters), Waubonsee’s Medical Assistant Certificate of Achievement provides students with the experience and education to become licensed professionals in Illinois and begin promising careers.
The program requires a special application and admissions process. The Health Professions and Public Service office can provide further information. Please contact (630) 870-3900 or HPPS@waubonsee.edu.
Studying Medical Assisting at Waubonsee
Waubonsee students are leading the way in this exciting field. The 2020 Medical Assisting cohort completed coursework with a retention rate of 87.5%. 96% of graduates from the past three years are now employed in the field. Taught by exceptional instructors at our state-of-the-art Aurora Fox Valley Campus, our students master lessons in administrative, clinical, and laboratory procedures. Administrative duties include scheduling appointments, patient registration, and health insurance verification. Clinical duties include recording vital signs, giving injections, collecting blood specimens, performing EKG's, sterilizing equipment, performing laboratory tests, authorizing medication refills, and preparing patients for examinations.
Students are ready for their on-site externships, arranged in partnership with Advocate Dreyer Medical Clinic, Rush Medical Group, and Northwestern Medicine — where they actively participate in hands-on activities and take their first steps into their future role as a medical assistant. Our program continues to receive impressive recognition.
Program Accreditation, Admission and Handbook
Waubonsee’s Medical Assistant Certificate Program has received national accreditation from the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB).
The 2020 Medical Assisting cohort completed with a retention rate of 87.5%. 96% of graduates are now employed in the field.
Students looking to enter the Medical Assistant Program need to complete a special admissions application and process. Applications for the next cohort are due by June 1, 2024.
The Medical Assistant Student Handbook provides important details about the program and its expectations.
Working in Medical Assisting
Careers in medical assisting have promising earning potential and overall industry growth in both small and large settings, including medical offices, clinics, labs and other health care agencies. The medical assistant helps keep the practice running smoothly and has active roles with administrative and clinical duties: routine examinations, obtaining specimens, performing lab tests, scheduling appointments, handling medical insurance claims and other office roles.