Medical Assistant
Why Medical Assistant?
Medical assistants are at the heart of healthcare, performing a wide variety of clinical and administrative duties that keep medical offices running efficiently. This profession calls for compassion, organization, and strong communication skills that make it deeply meaningful for those who choose to serve patients and providers alike.
At Mid-State, you’ll learn in both classroom and clinical settings, gaining hands-on experience in area medical offices and clinics. Students benefit from hands-on simulation experiences in the Healthcare Simulation Center that enhance and support their clinical training. The program builds your administrative and clinical expertise, preparing you for national certification exams and long-term career success. Graduates consistently achieve above-average pass rates and enter the workforce ready to make a difference.
Program Facts
Program Outcomes
Graduates leave ready to succeed in their careers. Each year, data from Mid-State's Graduate Survey and statewide reports show consistently high satisfaction and strong starting salaries. Here's a snapshot of what success looks like after graduation.
Career Opportunities
Program Details
Take a closer look at what the program offers and what to expect.
Your course plan may vary, and you'll get a recommended sequence once you're enrolled. See below for full course details, see the program information guide, or talk with your advisor.
Meet our full-time instructors.
Tom Ekstrand, AAS, BA, CMA (AAMA)
Tom holds an AAS in medical assisting from Rasmussen University as well as a bachelor’s degree in mathematics with a minor in computer science and secondary education from Lewis University. He also attended Northcentral Technical College for his Medical Assistant technical diploma and is a certified medical assistant by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Prior to coming to Mid-State Tom worked as a medical assistant for seven years with Aspirus. He also has experience in all levels of education, from elementary school through community college.
“I believe that teaching is a combined effort between the educator and the learner, in an effort to reach a common goal.”
Nichol Soik, BS, CMA (AAMA)
Nichol earned her BS in health science with an emphasis in public health from Excelsior University and her medical assistant technical diploma from Fox Valley Technical College. She also holds a CMA (AAMA) credential. Her CMA experience includes family practice and mentoring students during their clinical rotation. She has also worked for the VA as a health tech performing phlebotomy and preparing specimens for transportation and testing. Nichol regularly attends continuing education through the American Association of Medical Assistants to keep up with the educational demands of the ever-changing medical field.
“I enjoy providing an enriching environment for students to flourish through education and hands-on experience in a field I am very passionate about.”
Employers will expect graduates of this program to be able to:
- Perform medical office administrative functions.
- Provide patient care in accordance with regulations, policies, laws, and patient rights.
- Perform medical laboratory procedures.
- Demonstrate professionalism in a health care setting.
- Demonstrate safety and emergency practices in a health care setting.
Alongside your career training, you'll develop key workplace strengths. Explore the additional skills you'll build.
To succeed in this program, you'll need to meet certain technical standards. These are the key skills and abilities needed for the program and future career success—with or without reasonable accommodations. Be sure to review them carefully before you apply.
Explore the resources and next steps below. Your academic advisor will help you know what to complete and when.
Quality You Can Trust
Program accreditation means your program meets high-quality standards recognized by employers and industry leaders. It ensures your education is respected, your credits are more likely to transfer, and your credential holds real value in the job market.
The Medical Assistant program at Mid-State Technical College helps students prepare to complete a national certification exam for Medical Assistants. Of the 2024 program graduates who attempted a national certification exam, 92% earned a passing score.
Mid-State Technical College has resources available to assist students with successfully completing an academic program. The medical assisting program at Mid-State Technical College has a five-year retention rate of 83.85% for the years 2020-2024.
The Medical Assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB).
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
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