2023-24 Medical Assistant Requirements and Application

From submitting your application to admission to registration, Northwood Tech is available to help guide you through the admissions process. To help you successfully complete this program, Northwood Tech has developed a set of program requirements and functional ability criteria. For students with a disability, reasonable accommodations are available to help you be successful in the program of your choice.

Admission Requirements

The first step to get admitted is to fill out a Northwood Tech application, and Northwood Tech will guide you from there. If you're not quite ready to become a student, visit a campus to get the full Northwood Tech experience. A campus tour will give you the opportunity to meet staff, instructors and students, tour the campus and get a real feel for the campus culture.

Complete Online application form
Have earned a high school diploma or GED certificate; current high school seniors must provide both a current high school transcript and a final (official) transcript with confer date
Review and sign Background Check Disclosure
Review and sign Functional Abilities Disclosure
Complete admissions meeting with a Northwood Tech counselor

2023-24 Medical Assistant Additional Program Information

2023-24 Medical Assistant Additional Program Information-Transfer Track

Program-Specific Requirements

Submit Background Check fee
Have an acceptable Wisconsin Caregiver Background Check, National Criminal Background Check, Minnesota Caregiver Background Check (if applicable), and other states, if applicable (required at program start and prior to practicum)
Pass a physical exam, have current immunizations, and demonstrate negative status for tuberculosis (Tb)
COVID vaccination---highly recommended
- NOTE: Northwood Technical College cannot guarantee clinical placement or ability to progress in the program if a student is not able to meet the clinical site requirements including but not limited to; influenza vaccine, covid vaccine, negative tb skin test/quantiferon, up to date acceptable background check, or any other clinical requirements required by the clinical site. Northwood Technical College cannot guarantee clinical placement if the clinical site must be changed due to students inability to meet the site specific requirements. Many sites require the student information 4-6 weeks prior to the clinical start date.
Possess current certification of First Aid and ,BLS Basic Life Support, or equivalent
Review and sign Health Sciences Confidentiality Statement
Participate in a mandatory program orientation session

Medical Assistant Student Handbook Academic Year 2023-24

2023-24 Health Sciences & Medical Assistant Student Policies will be available August 2023.

Medical Assistant Orientation- Fall 2023

2023-24 Academic Calendar

Curriculum Checklists
- Curriculum Checklists are to be used as a guide. Although your academic advisor can provide guidance, you are ultimately responsible for selecting courses that meet a program's graduation requirements.
- 2023-24 MA Curriculum Checklist
- Progression Option 1.5 Year Completion Plan
- Progression Option 2 Year Completion Plan
Background Checks
- The clinical agencies that host the Northwood Tech MA students for practicum courses have significantly increased their demands for background check scrutiny over the past several years. Background checks will not be completed until 90 days prior to start of the Medical Assistant Practicum (January 1 for Ashland, New Richmond, and Superior students; August 1 for Rice Lake students). In the meantime, Northwood Tech wants to ensure students understand, prior to the start of the program, that if there are no clinical agencies that will accept the student based on the background check history, the student must be excused from the MA program, regardless of the student's academic standing. This is explained in further detail in the Background Check Disclosure form listed above, under Admission Requirements.
- All MA students are required to complete a Wisconsin Caregiver Background Check, Student ID Form, and a National Criminal Background Check, which must be completed through Verified Credentials, LLC:
- In addition to that, if you are a student who will complete a clinical rotation in Minnesota, you will also be required to complete a Minnesota Caregiver Background Check. Your Program Instructor/Advisor will inform you if a Minnesota background check is needed.
  - MN Department of Human Services (DHS) Background Studies
  - The MN Dept. of Health Services NETStudy 2.0 background study requires all persons who provide services to children and vulnerable adults to be fingerprinted and photographed.
  - Students will be required to provide Northwood Tech a copy of an Acceptable Form of ID for DHS Background studies (scroll down to What documents can be used to verify ID?), the completed MN DHS Data Worksheet and $42.
  - Northwood Tech staff will verify the information provided and enter it into the MN DHS website. Background Study subjects will receive an email from IDEMIA/IdentoGO that includes an individual specific tracking number called a Universal Enrollment Identification (UE ID). The email will be sent within a few minutes of the background study application being submitted in NETStudy 2.0 by the provider. The email includes instructions for study subjects to use IDEMIA's pre-enrollment system and information on locating a fingerprint location.
  - Students MUST present a form of ID to be fingerprinted and photographed. Students will be required to pay the $9.50 fee at the fingerprint and photo location. Visit MN DHS/IDEMIA Transition for information on fingerprinting and photo locations.
  - Within 14 days of receiving the email from IDEMIA/IdentoGO, students must be fingerprinted and photographed. If not completed within 14 days, the above process and fee payment will need to be repeated.
  - Background Study Notice of Privacy Practices
- After background checks are completed, students are expected to self report any changes.
Health Form and Directions
- 1. Complete the Health Form and save it.
- 2. Follow instructions on the form for submission.
Uniforms
- Uniforms
  - This link provides a list of websites and local uniform shops that sell uniforms. The uniform dress code is identified in the Medical Assistant Student Handbook under Health Sciences Policies: Professional Expectations and Dress Code (HS-24).
Complete and Give to your Instructor
- Functional Abilities Disclosure - listed above under Admission Requirements. Read the functions and initial/sign the last page as described. Submit to instructor by designated due date.
- Health Sciences Confidentiality Statement
BLS Course Offerings
- Fall 2023 BLS course offerings will be available soon.
Additional Information
- Professionalism Requirements
- 2023-24 MA Program Cost Sheet
- 2023-24 MA Textlist
- Insurance Information
- MA Program Technology Needs
- Student Biographical Change Request Please print and use this form if you change your name, address or phone number(s). You should submit it to your local Student Services to be certain that the changes are entered in the main computer system.

Medical Assistant Withdrawal

Instructions for Withdrawal from MA Core Courses
- If you are at this webpage, it means your MA Academic Advisor has been notified that you dropped your MA course (509-xxx) courses.
  - If you are withdrawing from your MA core (509-xxx) courses, the MA program would like to gather data regarding your decision to withdraw. This data is useful in the MA planning process. Thank you for providing this information.
  - Please carefully review the Withdrawal from the MA Program form. You may complete the form electronically and email to janel.ouimette@NorthwoodTech.edu or print and mail this form within one month of your exiting the program to the following address:
    - Janel Ouimette
    - Northwood Technical College
    - 1900 College Dr
    - Rice Lake WI 54868
  - If you have questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact Janel Ouimette, MA Program Director, at janel.ouimette@NorthwoodTech.edu or 715.788.7057.

Technology Requirements

If using Macintosh or Linux based computers, coursework must be submitted using your Office365 tools provided with your Northwood Tech email account. It is important to verify with your Program Faculty if non-Windows based computers are acceptable in the program.

View All Technology Requirements