Medical Assistant

We prepare you for a rewarding career as a Medical Assistant — one of the fastest-growing healthcare professions — in as little as three quarters. Medical Assistants are essential members of the healthcare team, combining clinical expertise with administrative and communication skills to support positive patient outcomes in ambulatory care settings such as primary care clinics, specialty practices, urgent care, surgery centers, and outpatient hospital departments.

Our accredited Medical Assistant program provides comprehensive training in clinical care, healthcare administration, and professional practice, preparing graduates to work alongside healthcare providers and contribute to high-quality patient care across diverse outpatient settings.

What You’ll Learn

The curriculum develops a well-rounded skill set across three key areas:

Clinical Skills

Hands-on training in patient care, diagnostic testing, procedures, medication administration, infection control, and clinical safety.

Administrative Skills

Front-office healthcare operations, including scheduling, medical records, insurance processes, and healthcare communication.

Professional Development

Workplace professionalism, ethics, teamwork, and patient-centered communication for diverse healthcare environments.

We prepare you to perform entry-level clinical, diagnostic, and administrative procedures safely and competently within the Medical Assistant scope of practice.

Program Highlights

• Complete in: as little as 3 quarters
• Credits: 44
• Format: Hybrid (online coursework + on-campus skills labs)
• Clinical Externship: Supervised hands-on training in a healthcare setting
• Stackable Training: ECG and Phlebotomy technician skills included
• Career Settings: Clinics, ambulatory care, specialty practices, outpatient hospitals

Accreditation & Standards

The Medical Assisting program at Edmonds College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB).

The curriculum meets educational and training requirements established by the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) under RCW 18.360 and WAC 246-827.

Certification & Credential

As a graduate, you are eligible to:

• Sit for a national Medical Assistant certification examination
• Apply for the Medical Assistant–Certified (MA-C) credential through the Washington State Department of Health
   

Learning Experience

Courses combine flexible online learning with in-person clinical skills labs where you will practice procedures such as:

• Patient assessment and vital signs
• Diagnostic testing and specimen collection
• ECG and phlebotomy
• Assisting with exams and minor procedures
• Medication preparation and administration
• Infection control and sterilization
• Electronic health record documentation

The program culminates in a supervised clinical externship, providing real-world experience in healthcare settings and preparation for employment

Program Enrollment

Enrollment is first-come, first-served, so starting early is encouraged!

• No required prerequisites
• No separate program application
• Admission is based on completing the standard Edmonds College admission process and meeting with an advisor to create your academic plan

Academic Planning

Full-Time MEDA Cohort:

MEDA courses start in the Fall term for this cohort.

Quarter 1

Quarter 2

Quarter 3

*** Students must successfully complete AHE 112 EKG, AHE 115 CPR, and AHE 141 Phlebotomy before enrolling in MEDA 118 and MEDA 205. Students who do not complete these requirements before Spring may need to delay MEDA 118 and/or MEDA 205. 

Part-Time MEDA Cohort:

MEDA courses start in the Spring quarter for this cohort.

Note: The AHE and HCA courses may be completed in any order that best fits the student’s schedule and course availability. The outline below is only a suggested pathway. Students must complete EKG, CPR, and Phlebotomy prior to enrolling in MEDA 118 and MEDA 205.

Quarter 1

Quarter 2

Quarter 3 

Quarter 4

Quarter 5

Quarter 6

*(165 clinical hours; typically completed over 4–6 weeks)
 

Get a Jumpstart On Your Learning

You don’t have to wait for the next cohort to begin your healthcare education! While you’re waiting, you can take foundational classes to build skills, earn credits, and explore the field:

• AHE 116 Introduction to Healthcare
• HCA 104 Medical Terminology
• AHE 110 The Human Body
• AHE 115 CPR
• AHE 112 EKG Technician
• AHE 141 Phlebotomy Technician
• HCA 153 Pharmacology

Clinical Requirements & DISA CastleBranch

To participate in clinical or externship experiences, you must complete all required health, safety, and background screening documentation. This typically includes immunizations/immunity, annual flu vaccine, TB screening, and any additional items required by clinical partners.

All requirements are managed through DISA CastleBranch (CB), the college’s secure compliance tracking system. You will create a CB account, complete the background check, and upload all required documents for your program.

Getting started: Watch the CB “Getting Started” video to set up your account. Use the additional tutorials for help with common tasks and troubleshooting. If you still need support, contact an Allied Health faculty advisor.

Background check requirement: A national criminal background check is required before clinical externships and must be completed before registering for the externship course. Some convictions or negative actions may prevent clinical placement. DSHS provides a list of disqualifying crimes/negative actions. If you have concerns, speak with an Allied Health faculty advisor early.

CB Package Code: EE78
Approximate Cost: $107 (subject to change)

Medical Assistant Career Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Outlook Handbook for Medical Assistants, employment of Medical Assistants is projected to grow 12% nationally from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Continued growth is driven by an aging population, increased demand for preventive healthcare services, and the ongoing expansion of outpatient and ambulatory care settings. The BLS projects approximately 112,300 Medical Assistant job openings nationally each year, on average, over the decade.

The Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) projects continued regional demand for Medical Assistants across Snohomish and King Counties, with steady annual growth expected through the current projection period.

According to the most recent available Washington labor market wage data, Medical Assistants in the Puget Sound region earn competitive wages, with average hourly earnings approximately ranging from:

• Snohomish County: approximately $26-28.00/hour
• Seattle–King County: approximately $27-29.00/hour

Actual wages may vary based on experience, certification, specialty, employer type, and work setting. These trends indicate strong employment opportunities for graduates in both clinical and administrative healthcare settings throughout the Puget Sound region.

Advising

For program information and questions, please contact one of the following Medical Assistant / Allied Health program advisors:

• Elaine Monroe | elaine.monroe@edmonds.edu 
• Lung Le | lung.le@edmonds.edu

Take the Next Step

If you want to continue your studies in healthcare, you may apply the Medical Assistant coursework towards the Allied Health associate degree and the Integrated Healthcare Management Bachelor of Applied Science degree:

• Allied Health Education AAS-T
• Integrated Health Care Management Bachelor of Applied Science