The Medical Assisting program is a cohort-based curriculum. As a result, students will complete all their coursework together. The courses are designed to be completed part-time with about 10-15 hours needing to be dedicated to your coursework each semester.

This is a hybrid program, that includes both online and in-person learning. The coursework, which makes up the majority of the program, is 100% online. The in-person aspects of the program are two six-hour skill boot camps in quarters two and three. There are also 160 clinical hours, which will allow you to gain practical experience and form connections with potential employers. 

This program consists of 28 credits. You will graduate with a certificate or can earn or transfer extra credits to graduate with an associate’s degree. The advantage of having an associate’s degree is that it qualifies you to start one of our two MercyPLUS bachelor degree programs: Healthcare Administration or Public Health. We will counsel you to help you determine which of the options is best for your career goals. You can also visit MercyPLUS’s transfer page to learn more.

We understand that you might be nervous to take online classes and are doing everything we can to support you, both before you enroll and during your studies! Our Enrollment Coaches will help you have a stress-free online learning experience. 

You can expect active and adaptive learning through interactive textbooks, multimedia content, online activities, and the use of Medical Office Simulation Software. Social learning is encouraged throughout the program so you can easily engage, share knowledge, and discuss the program content with other learners using our discussion tool. The learning can be completed whenever is convenient for you, meaning you can learn on your own schedule.

This flexible online learning experience is paired with all the necessary practicum experiences you need to become a caring, ethical, and competent healthcare professional.

Medical Assistants perform both administrative and clinical duties to support the work of physicians, physician assistants, and other health practitioners. Responsibilities vary from office to office depending on location, size, and specialty. Common administrative duties include updating and filing patient medical records, coding and filling out insurance forms, scheduling appointments, arranging for hospital admissions and laboratory services, and handling correspondence, billing, and bookkeeping. Clinical duties may include instructing patients about medication and special diets, preparing patients for examination, collecting and preparing laboratory specimens as well as performing basic laboratory tests, drawing blood, and taking electrocardiograms. 

Through an excellent curriculum, the use of Medical Office Simulation Software, and extensive practical experience, our Medical Assisting program prepares you to perform both clinical and administrative tasks confidently.

The Medical Assisting program by OpusVi™ and MercyPLUS is a direct admit, entry-level program. This means that the only prerequisites are that you must have a high school diploma or equivalency and be 18 years of age or older. 

Working as a Medical Assistant normally requires formal training resulting in a certificate or diploma. While there are several certification options out there, only graduates of medical assisting programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) are eligible to take the CMA (AAMA) Certification Exam. Many employers, as well as insurance agencies that insure physicians, require this certification for reasons of liability. Our program is CAAHEP-accredited and prepares you for the Certified Medical Assistant (AAMA) Exam with pass rates of 100% for past cohorts.

Medical Assisting is a fulfilling career that includes both clinical and administrative tasks. It’s also extremely stable: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities for medical assistants are expected to grow by 19% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. Our program is geared towards kick-starting your path in the medical field. We help you with the job search, give you support when writing your résumé and cover letter, practice interview skills, and give you an opportunity to form professional connections at clinic sites. This has resulted in job placement rates of 100% for past cohorts. 

With several years of experience, medical assistants may look into taking on roles that involve more leadership. Due to their intimate knowledge of clinical operations, they are often well-positioned to become clinic managers. They also may consider advancing into other healthcare occupations such as a registered nurse, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner.