Looking for a medical assistant school in Iowa?
You are in the right place.
Below is a list of some of the most popular schools that may be right for you.
Whether on-campus or online, there is a school for you.
Read on to find out more!
Page Navigation
- 5 Medical Assistant Schools in Iowa
- Salary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Do you think that there is a benefit to attending an online medical assistant school or should I go to a brick and mortar campus?
- What are the benefits of going to medical assistant school in Iowa?
- How much would it cost me if I went to Iowa State University and graduated with my BA in Medical Assisting?
- What type of school do you think is the best for medical assistants?
- What do you think is the future of medical assistance and what changes will happen to it over the next few years?
5 Medical Assistant Schools in Iowa
Des Moines Area Community College
Location: Ankeny
Des Moines Area Community College offers a Medical Assistant Certificate Program that can be completed in one year if you take it full-time, or two years if you take it part-time.
The courses are available during the day.
Students will learn clinical and administrative skills through a combination of classroom instruction and lab practice.
Students will be able to file insurance claims and perform EKGs after completing the course.
Kirkwood Community College
Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa City
Kirkwood Community College offers a two-year public community college with a Medical Assistant Certificate program.
It can be completed in three semesters.
Also, it offers an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.M.) in Medical Assisting.
Additional general education courses can lead to the award.
KCC’s medical assistant program has been continuously accredited since 1972.
It offers small classes and state-of-the-art lab and classroom facilities.
The national certification exam passed 88 percent, with a retention rate of 82 percent and a 70% job placement rate.
Iowa Central Community College
Location: Fort Dodge. Webster City. Storm Lake
Iowa Central Community College offers a two-year public community college offering a Medical Assistant Certificate Program that starts in the fall and ends in the summer.
After completing the certificate program, students can choose to continue on to earn an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.M.) in Medical Assisting degree.
All students must complete 13 general education courses credits.
The program was completed by 80 percent of students who were enrolled during the previous academic year.
Ellsworth Community College
Location: Iowa Falls
Ellsworth Community College offers a Medical Assistant Certificate Program that can be completed within 11 months.
This program teaches students about medical terminology, medical ethics, patient psychology, communications, medical office procedures, and many other topics.
After completing the lecture and lab sections of the course, students will need to do a clinical externship in a local healthcare facility.
Students will need to also complete a Basic Life support course.
ECC’s Medical Assistant Certificate program has a 100% graduate satisfaction rate and a 73% job placement rate.
Western Iowa Tech Community College
Location: Sioux City
Western Iowa Tech Community College offers a 47-credit-hour Certificate Program in Medical assistants.
It can be completed in just two semesters and a summer term.
Students will be exposed to courses such as Administrative Office Procedures, Medical Lab Techniques, and Medical Law and Ethics.
Students will have the opportunity to practice in the lab and do a clinical externship.
WITCC’s Medical Assistant Certificate program achieved an average pass rate of 87.5 percent over the last five years.
Medical Assistant Schools in Iowa – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in Iowa
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Des Moines Area Community College | 1100 7th St, Des Moines, IA 50314 |
| Kirkwood Community College | 6301 Kirkwood Blvd SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 |
| Iowa Central Community College | One Triton Cir, Fort Dodge, IA 50501 |
| Ellsworth Community College | 1100 College Ave, Iowa Falls, IA 50126 |
| Western Iowa Tech Community College | 4647 Stone Ave, Sioux City, IA 51106 |
Salary
In Iowa, medical assistants make an average salary of $32,000 annually.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Medical Assistants in Iowa
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Des Moines | $36,614 |
| Cedar Rapids | $35,973 |
| Davenport | $36,083 |
| Sioux City | $32,269 |
| Waterloo | $34,399 |
| Iowa City | $35,677 |
| Council Bluffs | $35,845 |
| Dubuque | $35,687 |
| Ames | $36,273 |
| West Des Moines | $36,614 |
Regional Salary in Iowa
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ames, IA | 150 | $43,680 | $21 | $48,700 | $37,440 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 420 | $43,680 | $21 | $53,360 | $36,200 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 750 | $41,060 | $19.74 | $47,700 | $34,850 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | 1,190 | $45,840 | $22.04 | $53,540 | $37,970 |
| Dubuque, IA | 140 | $41,880 | $20.14 | $50,230 | $35,730 |
| Iowa City, IA | 490 | $43,470 | $20.9 | $54,950 | $38,240 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | 270 | $40,350 | $19.4 | $47,560 | $34,400 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | 240 | $42,270 | $20.32 | $48,560 | $36,860 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you think that there is a benefit to attending an online medical assistant school or should I go to a brick and mortar campus?
There is definitely a benefit to attending an online medical assistant school, as these programs are usually more affordable than traditional brick-and-mortar campuses.
However, if you are interested in pursuing a career in the health field, it is important to attend a program that offers hands-on experience.
What are the benefits of going to medical assistant school in Iowa?
The demand for qualified medical assistants is growing rapidly due to an increase in the number of people who are elderly or have chronic illnesses.
As such, there are many opportunities available both now and in the future for those who want to pursue an exciting career as a medical assistant.
How much would it cost me if I went to Iowa State University and graduated with my BA in Medical Assisting?
According to data from US News and World Report, the annual tuition for an undergraduate degree in Health Sciences at Iowa State is $11,680.
This includes all required fees and expenses such as room and board.
What type of school do you think is the best for medical assistants?
There are many schools that you can choose from if you want to learn medical assistance.
However, some of the best options include vocational or technical institutes, community colleges, and a few accredited universities.
What do you think is the future of medical assistance and what changes will happen to it over the next few years?
Medical assisting is an essential and growing field, and there are a lot of opportunities for those who have the right skills.
In addition to providing support during medical appointments, the future of medical assisting could see a rise in virtual services that allow patients to interact with doctors online.
