Medical Assistant (MA) Program
A medical assistant is an allied health professional who has an important role within a healthcare team. Medical assistants are cross-trained to perform administrative and clinical duties to assist physicians and other team members in patient care. The Northwestern Medicine Medical Assistant program is a part-time, 10-month program (40 instructional weeks) that provides 9 months of didactic instruction followed by a 1 month, 160-hour externship. The curriculum is designed to blend classroom, laboratory, and clinical learning to ensure graduates have the scope and breadth of knowledge required of entry-level medical assistants. The externship ensures exposure to all aspects of clinical operations that enables graduates to function as professionals in various areas across the healthcare system including medical offices, hospitals, and outpatient clinics. The program begins every September and is limited to 20 students per year. Upon successful completion of the program, students will be awarded a certificate of completion from Northwestern Medicine and will be eligible for the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) certification examination through the American Medical Technologists (AMT). |
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Program Mission Statement
The mission of the Medical Assistant program is to meet the growing needs of patients through the training and development of medical assistants who embody Northwestern Medicine's Patients First mission.
Program Goals
In support of the program's mission, the following goals have been established:
The mission of the Medical Assistant program is to meet the growing needs of patients through the training and development of medical assistants who embody Northwestern Medicine's Patients First mission.
Program Goals
In support of the program's mission, the following goals have been established:
- Graduates will perform competently as entry-level medical assistants.
- Graduates will employ effective communication skills.
- Graduates will develop and utilize critical thinking skills.
- Graduates will demonstrate high standards of patient care and ethical and professional practice
- The program will meet the needs of the community by producing qualified, competent entry-level medical assistants.
Program Outcomes
Year Certification Exam Pass Rate Job Placement Rate
2018 – 2019 100% (6/6) 100% (5/5)
2019 – 2020 100% (7/7) 100% (7/7)
2020 – 2021 100% (4/4) 100% (3/3)
2021 – 2022 83% (5/6) 83% (5/6)
Additional program documentation available upon request.