How to Become a Medical Assistant in Iowa

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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!

Search Medical Assistant Programs

Get information on Medical Assistant programs by entering your zip code and request enrollment information.

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5 Medical Assistant Schools in Iowa

Des Moines Area Community College

Des Moines Area Community College Logo

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

Kirkwood Community College Logo

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

Iowa Central Community College Logo

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

Ellsworth Community College Logo

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

Western Iowa Tech Community College Logo

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 NameAddress
Des Moines Area Community College1100 7th St, Des Moines, IA 50314
Kirkwood Community College6301 Kirkwood Blvd SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Iowa Central Community CollegeOne Triton Cir, Fort Dodge, IA 50501
Ellsworth Community College1100 College Ave, Iowa Falls, IA 50126
Western Iowa Tech Community College4647 Stone Ave, Sioux City, IA 51106

Salary

In Iowa, medical assistants make an average salary of $32,000 annually.

Annual Salary Range:
$33K
$36K
$39K

Average Salary of Medical Assistants in Iowa

City NameSalary
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
* Salary information last updated 2024

Regional Salary in Iowa

RegionEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Ames, IA160$39,320$18.91$46,600$31,200
Cedar Rapids, IA460$40,980$19.7$48,860$35,420
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL620$37,620$18.09$45,940$29,180
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA1,090$43,350$20.84$49,140$35,910
Dubuque, IA140$38,850$18.68$45,990$34,020
Iowa City, IA530$44,200$21.25$52,170$37,450
Sioux City, IA-NE-SD250$37,610$18.08$45,570$30,800
Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA270$40,040$19.25$46,420$34,490
* Salary information based on the May 2022 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Medical Assistants, OCC Code 31-9092, BLS.
* 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.

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