Medical Assistant Programs in California
There are different paths toward becoming a medical assistant in the state of California. Because the state does not legally require a license, registration, or special training to become one, you can legally obtain a job and earn your training on the job. However, to be truly competitive in the job market and earn the most respect on the job, it is ideal to gain some training and even earn a certification. Most healthcare employers prefer this, and many are beginning to require it from job candidates.
California has many training programs offered at vocational schools, community colleges, junior colleges and technical colleges. Most diplomas require one year of training, or you can pursue a two-year associate degree for more advanced training. If you are intending to earn your certification from the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), you will need to do your training at an accredited school. Accreditation is determined by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). There are currently over thirty such accredited programs offered throughout the state. Alternatively, you may pursue your studies through accredited online courses, which would be accompanied by an externship. Once your training is completed or nearly completed, you are eligible to register for the AAMA’s certification exam. If you pass this, you will be a certified medical assistant (CMA). Alternatively, you could pursue registration to become a registered medical assistant (RMA) through the American Medical Technologists (AMT).
Medical Assistant training in California will cover both the clinical and the clerical side of medical assisting, because medical assistants’ job duties can vary depending on their job and place of employment. You will be trained in medical billing, record keeping, patient and insurance communication, medical terminology and basic pharmacology. You’ll also learn how to assess patients, take blood pressure, prepare patients for procedures, and assist physicians, or sterilize equipment, among other duties. It’s an occupation that involves many skills and multi-tasking in both the administrative and clinical sides. Medical assistants can work in outpatient clinics, hospitals, doctors’ offices, or specialists’ offices, such as podiatrists, chiropractors, or optometrists.
The mean annual salary for a medical assistant in California in 2008 was $31,240, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and the mean hourly rate was $15.02. There were over 73,000 of them working, and the projections for growth of this occupation are excellent. There are also three local chapters to the California Society of Medical Assistants, as well as the esteemed California Medical Assistant Association, both of which can be of great benefit to you for the purposes of continuing education, networking, or job search assistance. Medical assistant jobs are a huge and important part of the fast growing healthcare industry, with very good job prospects. An expanding aging population as well as developments in technology will only open up opportunities for those with this career in California.
Below you will find a number of medical assisting programs offered throughout the state of California. Getting formal training and education can surely help set you apart from the competition when it comes to applying for a job as an MA in California. Whether you are in pursuit of a diploma or a 2 year associate's degree, there is a program listed here for you. Request information from the schools directly to learn more.
Medical Assistant Degree Programs in CA
California College - San Diego, CA
Upon graduation from the medical specialties program at California College you will be prepared to operate in administrative and clinical capacities in a health care environment. Start training here for a medical assistant career by requesting information below.
Programs Offered: Medical Specialties - Associate's
Select a Campus to Learn More: San Diego
Central Coast College
The medical assisting diploma program at CCC will help you develop the skills that you need to be successful as a medical assistant. Upon graduation you will be prepared to operate in administrative and clinical capacities in a health care environment.
Programs Offered: Diplomas - Medical Assisting, Pharmacy Tech, and Health Information and Patient Services
Select a Campus to Learn More: Salinas
Concorde Career College
Concorde is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools & Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT).
Programs Offered: Medical Assisting, Insurance Coding and Billing Specialist, Vocational Nurse, Respiratory Therapy, and Dental Assistant
Select a Campus to Learn More: Garden Grove, San Diego, North Hollywood, and San Bernardino
Empire College
Empire College in Santa Rosa, CA offers 3 different programs each designed to help you train to become a medical assistant. Each program differs slightly in content and time to completion. Request information to learn more today!
Programs Offered: Medical Assistant - Associate's Degree, Clinical Medical Assistant, and Medical Administrative Assistant.
Select a Campus to Learn More: Santa Rosa
Everest College
The medical assisting program at Everest College focuses on hands-on training. Students are prepared to meet the needs of today's employers and graduates can expect to find job opportunities in various settings including, but not limited to hospitals, physician offices, medical clinics, nursing homes, and home health agencies.
Programs Offered: Medical Assisting, Medical Insurance Billing and Coding, Medical Lab Tech, Pharmacy Tech, Massage Therapy, and Dental Assistant
Select a Campus to Learn More: Alhambra, Anaheim, City of Industry, Gardena, Hayward, Ontario, Reseda, San Bernardino, San Francisco, San Jose North, Torrance and West Los Angeles
Heald College
A degree or diploma from Heald College degree can help you gain the skills necessary to apply for jobs ranging from a clinical medical assistant or lab assistant to a patient services representative. Request information below to learn more.
Programs Offered: Medical Assistant - Associate's or Diploma
Select a Campus to Learn More: Concord, Fresno, Hayward, Rancho Cordova-Sacramento, Roseville, Salinas, San Francisco, San Jose, and Stockton
Institute of Technology - Modesto, CA
After graduating from the medical assistant diploma program at Institute of Technology, you will be prepared and eligible for CMA and RMA certification. If you successfully complete these two certifications, you will be recognized nationally as a Certified Medical Assistant. .
Programs Offered: Medical Assistant - Diploma
Select a Campus to Learn More: Modesto and Clovis
Kaplan College
At Kaplan College you will acquire the clinical and administrative skills needed to launch a successful career as a medical assistant. Request information below to learn more about Kaplan College's programs.
Programs Offered: Medical Assistant - Diploma
Select a Campus to Learn More: Bakersfield, Chula Vista, Fresno, Modesto, North County, North Hollywood, Palm Springs, Panorama City, Riverside, Sacramento, San Diego and Stockton
Milan Institute
Milan Institute provides a balanced combination of theory, practical, and hands-on instruction to those enrolled in their medical assistant program. Request information to learn more today!
Programs Offered: Medical Assistant
Select a Campus to Learn More: Clovis, Indio, and Visalia
National Career Education
Graduates of NCE's medical assisting program are encouraged to become certified by the California Certifying Board of Medical Assistants by taking the California Certified Medical Assistant (CCMA) examination. Learn more.
Programs Offered: Medical Assistant - Diploma
Select a Campus to Learn More: Citrus Heights
Newbridge College
At Newbridge College, you will gain valuable technical knowledge and the necessary patient care skills to work in the exciting field of health care. Request information to learn more about the programs offered at Newbridge College today.
Programs Offered: Medical Assistant
Select a Campus to Learn More: Long Beach and Santa Ana
North-West College
Northwest College offers a variety of health care programs, each designed to help prepare you for a career in the booming health care industry. Request information to learn more today!
Programs Offered: Medical Assistant - Certificate, Medical/Clinical Administrative Assistant Diploma
Select a Campus to Learn More: Pasadena, West Covina
Pima Medical Institute
PMI had established itself as one of today's leading medical career training schools. The Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools has accredited Pima Medical Institute since 1983.
Programs Offered: Medical Assisting - Certificate, Pharmacy Tech, Nursing, Respiratory Therapy...
Select a Campus to Learn More: Chula Vista
Platt College
After completing the medical assisting program at Platt College you will be prepared to work in a number of health care settings. Start here by requesting information from Platt College to learn more.
Programs Offered: A.S. Medical Assisting, A.S. Medical Administrative Specialist
Select a Campus to Learn More: Alhambra, Ontario
Santa Barbara Business College
Graduates of SBBCollege will be qualified for employment in physician offices, clinics, hospitals or insurance billing offices. Upon completion you will also be eligible to sit for a national certification test to become a Registered Medical Assistant.
Programs Offered: Medical Assistant - Diploma or Associate's
Select a Campus to Learn More: Bakersfield, Palm Desert, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria and Ventura
Silicon Valley College
Everest College in Phoenix offers a medical assistant diploma program which will help prepare you for a rewarding career in health care. Learn more by requesting information below.
Programs Offered: A.S. or Diploma in Medical Assisting
Select a Campus to Learn More: Emeryville, San Jose
United Education Institute
UEI is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training (ACCET). Request information to learn more today!
Programs Offered: Medical Assistant
Select a Campus to Learn More: Chula Vista, El Monte, and Huntington Park, Ontario, San Bernardino, San Diego , and Van Nuys
Valley Career College
Upon graduation from the medical assisting program at Valley Career College you will be prepared to operate in administrative and clinical capacities in a health care environment. Start training now for a rewarding career as a medical assistant.
Programs Offered: Medical Assisting
Select a Campus to Learn More: San Diego
Wyo Tech College
Wyo Tech College offers a medical assisting program in Long Beach, CA. Request information to learn more.
Programs Offered: Medical Assisting
Select a Campus to Learn More: Long Beach
Medical Assistant Schools Offered Online in California
Kaplan University - Online
The Kaplan University Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting degree program will prepare you online to become a professional medical assistant. It will also qualify you to seek national certification and licensing. The Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of the Curriculum Review Board (CRB) of the American Association of Medial Assistants Endowment (AAMAE). Graduates are eligible to take the Certified Medical Assistant exam, given by the American Association of Medical Assistants; or the Registered Medical Assistant exam, offered by the American Medical Technologists.* Recognized in all states.
Programs Offered: Medical Assisting, Medical Billing and Coding, and Pharmacy Technician
Keiser University - E-Campus Online
At Keiser University, students are trained to care for patients and learn to perform tasks such as the preparation of exam rooms, taking vital signs, assistance with minor surgical procedures, giving injections, lab operations, X-Rays and much more. MA's are also trained to perform administrative tasks that deal with insurance companies, patient billing, records, appointments, and supply ordering. Students receive hands on clinical training at a health care facility in their community. The program at Keiser University is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
Programs Offered: AA in Medical Assisting
Herzing University
The Herzing University Online Medical Assisting program is Accredited by the ABHES and graduates are eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant exam administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Graduates are also eligible to sit for the Registered Medical Assistant Exam administered by the American Medical Technologist association (AMT). This Medical Assisting program can be completed in 12 to 20 months.
Programs Offered: AS in Medical Assisting
San Joaquin Valley College
The online Clinical Medical Assisting program at SJVC offers training that combines classroom instruction with laboratory experience to create an ideal opportunity for students not only to to learn, but to understand how to put to use what they have learned in a clinical setting. Upon completion of the certificate or Associate's programs, students are eligible to sit for the Registered Medical Assistant Exam.
Programs Offered: Clinical Medical Assisting Certificate (Online) or Clinical Medical Assisting Associate's Degree (Online)
