Concorde Medical Assistant Diploma Program

Blended Learning Approach

Concorde employs a blended learning method, allowing students to complete part of their coursework virtually while also attending essential in-person laboratory sessions on campus. Online modules offer flexibility, enabling students to conveniently fit studies around their personal commitments. Campus labs provide essential practical training guided by experienced healthcare professionals.

Students complete a total of 240 hours of on-campus laboratory training, where they learn vital clinical skills. The hands-on lab exercises ensure proficiency in techniques such as phlebotomy (drawing blood), performing EKGs, patient care, and injections.

Externship Experience

Following lab training, students participate in a significant 230-hour externship at an approved healthcare facility. This externship experience is vital, providing exposure to the real-world healthcare environment, direct patient interactions, and reinforcing clinical and administrative competencies learned in class.

The externship serves as a valuable transition period, enabling students to gain practical experience, build confidence, and network with potential employers in the Kansas City healthcare community.

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Students gain skills across both administrative and clinical domains. Key clinical competencies include:

• Taking accurate patient histories and vital signs
• Collecting blood samples for lab tests (phlebotomy)
• Conducting laboratory diagnostic procedures
• Administering EKGs
• Assisting healthcare providers during medical procedures
• Performing basic first aid, CPR, and wound care
• Infection control procedures and maintaining sterile environments

Administrative skills training covers essential office operations, including:

• Scheduling patient appointments and managing referrals
• Maintaining accurate patient medical records
• Managing medical billing and insurance processes
• Effective communication, telephone handling, and professional correspondence

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Prospective students must fulfill these basic criteria:

• Complete an approved application form
• Provide proof of a high school diploma or GED
• Successfully pass a Wonderlic/ORA Assessment (an entrance exam measuring basic skills)
• Participate in a financial aid meeting to develop a personal funding plan

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The program’s total cost is approximately $19,935, broken down as follows:

• Tuition: $19,163
• Textbooks (estimated): $522
• Technology Fee: $250

Concorde emphasizes financial accessibility through various financial aid options, including scholarships and grants for qualified students. Notably, the Healthcare Demand Grant automatically considers newly enrolled students, potentially reducing overall costs.

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While Concorde thoroughly prepares students for medical assisting roles, they note that professional certification examinations are managed externally. Students interested in certification post-graduation will need to verify their eligibility independently with certification organizations.

The program ensures students graduate with skills meeting industry standards and prepares them to confidently enter entry-level medical assisting positions immediately after completion.

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Students must obtain American Heart Association (AHA) CPR certification as part of their graduation requirements. To achieve this certification:

• Attend all scheduled CPR classes and lectures
• Pass a practical skills assessment and a written exam with a score of at least 84%
• Missed sessions must be made up or retaken entirely if necessary

This requirement emphasizes Concorde’s commitment to high safety standards and ensures graduates have a critical, universally recognized healthcare credential upon entering the job market.

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Medical assisting is projected to experience strong job growth nationwide, increasing by approximately 15% from 2023 to 2033. Concorde graduates typically find employment opportunities in various healthcare settings, such as private physician offices, clinics, hospitals, hospice care, long-term care facilities, and specialty medical practices.

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Strengths:

• Blended learning format: Provides flexibility through online classes and structured in-person labs.
• Extensive practical experience: 230-hour externship significantly enhances real-world preparedness.
• Financial support availability: Concorde offers robust financial aid, grants, and scholarship options.

Considerations:

• Program Cost: With total expenses nearing $20,000, the cost might be higher compared to shorter or employer-sponsored programs in the region.
• External Certification: Certification processes are managed externally; thus, students must confirm their eligibility independently.

Intensive Schedule: The condensed 9-month format, although fast, might feel intense for some learners, especially those balancing work or family responsibilities.

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Located at 930 Carondelet Drive in Kansas City, Missouri, Concorde’s campus is easily accessible for students throughout the Kansas City region. The campus provides specialized facilities, including dedicated simulation labs and professional-standard medical equipment, enhancing students’ training experiences.

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