Kip: I just saw your posting after I created another thread to see if there were any other UMKC applicants on here. Good luck to you!
As far as clinical experience, my route probably wouldn't work for you as I am a respiratory therapist. That is, at minimum, an associate level degree. It probably wouldn't be worth doing the school just to apply to the MSA program. Johnson County Community College does have a pretty good program, though... and if you have all the pre-reqs done, you MIGHT be able to do the rest of the school in 1 year... still probably not worth it.
I would guess your best bet would be CNA/PCT type role, or some sort of tech in the OR (either surgical or anesthesia - but I don't know what kind of training you need for those jobs). I would also try and get a lot of hours in the OR shadowing.
I guess I'm not a whole lot of help! Have you heard anything on the time frame for the UMKC application process? I didn't know when they would be getting in touch for interviews, etc. Best of luck to you!