Central Oregon Community College is located in Bend. As of the 2009-2010 school year, just under 18,000 students were enrolled there. It offers a one-year medical assistant certificate program accredited by the AAMA. In addition to classroom studies, students learn hands-on techniques that include drawing blood. Classes available in this program include medical terminology, human anatomy, introduction to the study of disease and medical office procedures. All students in the program must obtain their CPR certification, whether at the college or elsewhere.
Concorde Career College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges and has a campus in Portland. This campus offers a medical assistant diploma program that takes approximately eight months to complete. Students at the college will learn clinical skills like instrument usage, CPR, assisting in minor surgeries and administering injections. They will also learn administrative duties that include patient charting, appointment scheduling and basic insurance coding. Upon graduating, the career services department will help students find a jobs in hospitals, medical supply companies, home health agencies and insurance companies.
Lane Community College, founded in 1964, is located in Eugene. The medical office assistant program is available to teach students the necessary skills and information for them to take the AAMA certification examination to become a certified medical assistant. Courses in this program include medical coding procedures, clinical assistant, medical insurance procedures and medical formatting. All students are required to take part in an unpaid co-op during the spring term, which offers hands-on experience at local medical offices and clinics.
Mt. Hood Community College is located in Gresham and was established in 1966. The limited-entry, two-year medical assistant program here awards graduates with an associates degree. Students will learn administrative and clinical skills such as collecting laboratory specimens, administering medication and operating medical office equipment. Courses include introduction to medical administration, general psychology, disease processes, clinical procedures and medical law and ethics.