Medical Assistant
Drake State’s Medical Assisting Technology (MAT) associate degree program prepares students for rewarding careers in patient care. Medical assistants help physicians with a wide variety of patient care tasks and can work in physician offices, minor emergency centers, and other free-standing outpatient medical and health clinics.
Students will learn how to:
- Perform patient physical assessments
- Take and record medical histories and vital signs
- Administer medications and treatments
- Assist with diagnostic procedures including electrocardiograms
- Perform venipuncture
- Interpret basic laboratory results
- Provide patient education
- Manage a clinic or physician office
- And many other skills
Medical assistant earnings
Students in the Medical Assistant program must develop excellent communication skills and respect the confidential nature of medical information. Clinical duties require a reasonable level of manual dexterity and visual acuity.
According to Lightcast Economic Modeling, the median salary for a medical assisting career is $33,862.
Note: Salary ranges can vary widely depending on location and many other important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.
Earn your accounting certificate or degree
Program Options
- Career Pathways & Programs
-
Medical Assistant Advising Form
-
Medical Assistant Certificate
-
Medical Assistant 12-Hour Short Certificate
-
Administrative 9-Hour Short Certificate
-
Phlebotomy 9-Hour Short Certificate
-
Supply list for MAT 229 Preceptorship
-
Supply list for MAT 239 Phlebotomy
Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider
Becoming a Basic life source provider will:
- Prepare individuals for basic life support in the event of emergency situations.
- Recertify health care providers with basic life support certification.
- Raise awareness of life-saving measures in disaster situations.
Cost:
$99 for new BLS Provider course
$79 for renew BLS Provider course