California Medical Assisting Schools
Medical Assisting Career Information
- Medical Assistant Q&A - Read an interview with a real-life medical assistant, Michelle, who discusses the pros and cons of her job.
- Medical Assistant Duties - Learn about the duties of a medical assistant plus the exams and certifications you will need to pass in order to pursue this career in California.
- Medical Assisting Career Overview - Learn the basics about the field of medical assisting - duties, salary potential and more.
Here is a list of California schools which offer a wide variety of degrees and diplomas in the medical assisting field. Click on a school to find more specific information or just scroll down the page through all the schools and their programs.
A
Academy of Professional Careers
Request More Information Locations:
San Diego, CA
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Administrative Medical/Dental Assistant (Diploma)
The Administrative Medical/Dental Assistant program is designed to prepare students to enter the health profession as an administrative medical/dental assistant. Graduates will be able to function at the entry-level in a variety of settings including, but not limited to, medical offices, dental offices, hospitals and medical clinics. Graduates are also trained in medical/dental insurance coding and billing procedures.
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Medical Assisting (Diploma)
Medical Assisting duties vary from office to office, but normally include taking vitals signs and information, taking medical histories, preparing patients for examinations, and assisting during the appointment.
Advanced College
Locations:
South Gate, CA
Advanced Training
Request More Information Locations:
El Cajon, CA
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Medical Assistant (Diploma)
The Medical Assistant program has been designed to prepare students in 9 months for entry-level employment in a variety of medical settings. After hands on training, individualized instruction and a one month externship student can have jobs in places such as a physician’s office or medical clinic.
C
California Learning Center
Locations:
Anaheim, CA
/ Huntington Park, CA
/ Santa Ana, CA
Career Colleges of America
Request More Information Locations:
Los Angeles, CA
/ San Bernardino, CA
/ South Gate, CA
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Medical Assistant (Diploma)
This program prepares students for an entry-level position in the medical field as a front and/or back office assistant. Positions are available in clinics, hospitals and doctors’ offices. Upon successful completion of the training, the graduate will be able to perform EKG; prepare strips for evaluation; perform venipuncture; collect specimens; collect patient data; perform vital signs, CPR, and First Aid; perform simple lab tests (e.g., Urinalysis, Hematocrit); prepare patients for physical examinations; and assist physicians in minor surgeries.
Career Networks Institute
Request More Information Locations:
Costa Mesa, CA
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Medical Clinical Assistant (Diploma)
The Medical Assisting program is designed to prepare adult learners to meet the requirements for employment in medical offices, clinics, hospitals, and other health care environments requiring skills in medical office procedures and clinical assisting.
Center for Employment Training
Locations:
San Diego, CA
/ San Jose, CA
Central Coast College
Request More Information Locations:
Salinas, CA
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Medical Assisting (Diploma)
Central Coast College’s Medical Assisting program is designed to provide you with comprehensive medical assisting skills, including intensive training in administration, clinical work and laboratory work. Learn everything from how to maintain medical records to drawing blood. A 160 hour externship will help you to solidify these skills in a real-life work environment.
Clarita Career College
Request More Information Locations:
Santa Clarita, CA
/ Lancaster, CA
/ Long Beach, CA
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Medical Assisting (Diploma)
The content of the program provides the student with specialized training in industry-current medical, clinical and administrative procedures. Instruction in the clinical aspect of the program includes medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, patient relations, use and care of diagnostic equipment, venipuncture, injections, infection control protocol, EKG operations, urinalysis and treatment procedures commonly performed in a medical setting. The administrative aspect includes scheduling appointments, medical bookkeeping, processing insurance forms, and other critical patient services.
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Medical Laboratory Assisting (Diploma)
The content of the program includes instruction in anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, personal and patient communication skills, medical, legal and ethical issues, introduction to basic pharmacology as it relates to disease processes and medications, medical infection control and OSHA mandated protocols, vital signs, and orientation to patient services. Emphasis is placed on venipuncture, hematology, urinalysis, microbiology and EKG procedures.
CSI Career College
Request More Information Locations:
Vacaville, CA
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Administrative Medical Assistant (Certificate)
Upon completion of this program, you will have advanced knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite and entry level billing & coding, HIPPA Certification, and patient communication.
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Clinical Medical Assistant (Certificate)
Medical assistants perform some administrative and clinical duties which may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination.
E
Empire College
Request More Information Locations:
Santa Rosa, CA
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Clinical Medical Assistant (Diploma)
Empire College makes it easy to live and learn in Sonoma County. Our medical assisting classes include extensive classroom and clinical instruction in medical terminology, medical office procedures, medical insurance billing and basic health care math. Students also take classes in basic anatomy, physiology and pharmacology. In addition to clinical procedures, students participate in a 125-hour externship
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Medical Assistant (Associate's Degree)
The emphasis on administrative and clinical skills makes us a great choice in California medical assistant schools. Our program includes extensive instruction in medical terminology, medical insurance billing, medical office procedures, medical clinical procedures, as well as instruction in beginning medical transcription, basic anatomy and physiology, and pharmacology.
Everest College
Request More Information Locations:
Anaheim, CA
/ Alhambra, CA
/ City of Industry, CA
/ Gardena, CA
/ Hayward, CA
/ Los Angeles, CA
/ Ontario, CA
/ Reseda, CA
/ San Bernardino, CA
/ San Francisco, CA
/ San Jose, CA
/ West Los Angeles, CA
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Medical Assisting (Diploma)
Medical Assistants are trained in both administrative and clinical procedures, and are capable of filling a variety of rewarding positions.
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Medical Clinical Assistant (Diploma)
This comprehensive program will provide you with back-office training in a medical or clinical environment. You will gain proficiency in a variety of patient care tasks as well as the use of related equipment and supplies.
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Medical Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist (Diploma)
You will learn the skills to report lab results to other medical personnel, maintain equipment, and manage laboratory records.
Everest Institute
Request More Information Locations:
Long Beach, CA
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Medical Assisting (Diploma)
Medical Assistants are trained in both administrative and clinical procedures, and are capable of filling a variety of rewarding positions.
F
G
H
Heald College
Request More Information Locations:
Concord, CA
/ Fresno, CA
/ Hayward, CA
/ Rancho Cordova, CA
/ Roseville, CA
/ Salinas, CA
/ San Francisco, CA
/ San Jose, CA
/ Stockton, CA
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Medical Assisting (Associate's Degree)
You will learn software for the preparation of medical documents and reports, essential medical terminology, patient scheduling, medical billing and coding, medical laws and ethics, and filing patient records. The program grooms you for positions such as Clinical Medical Assistant, Lab Assistant, or Patient Services Representative.
High-Tech Institute
Request More Information Locations:
Sacramento, CA
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Medical Assistant (Diploma)
Medical Assistants perform routine administrative and clinical tasks in the offices and clinics of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors and optometrists.
I
Institute for Business and Technology
Request More Information Locations:
Santa Clara, CA
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Medical Assistant (Diploma)
Upon successful completion of the Medical Assistant course, the graduate will be able to obtain an entry level position as a Medical Assistant, assisting the physician in medical office examinations; perform basic laboratory skills and procedures; record, monitor and mount electrocardiograms. In the front office, the Medical Assistant will perform the administrative duties of the office including bookkeeping, record management, appointment scheduling, insurance, and medical practice management.
InterCoast College
Locations:
Burbank, CA
/ Carson, CA
/ Orange, CA
/ Riverside, CA
/ West Covina, CA
K
Kaplan College
Request More Information Locations:
Panorama City, CA
/ Riverside, CA
/ San Diego, CA
/ Vista (North County), CA
/ Palm Springs, CA
/ Modesto, CA
/ Sacramento, CA
/ Stockton, CA
/ North Hollywood, CA
/ Bakersfield, CA
/ Clovis (Fresno), CA
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Medical Assistant (Certificate)
Our Medical Assistant program can prepare you with the knowledge, technical skills and work habits required for entry-level positions as Medical Assistants. We focus on computer technology and word processing facets of the curriculum to enhance your potential for quick placement.
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Medical Assisting (Diploma)
Medical Assistants will be able to perform procedures such as the taking of vital signs and sterilization. The student will learn the language of pharmacology. The student will administer electrocardiograms, hematology tests and other laboratory procedures.
M
Milan Institute
Request More Information Locations:
Indio, CA
/ Fresno, CA
/ Visalia, CA
/ Clovis, CA
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Medical Assisting (Diploma)
Medical Assisting duties vary from office to office, but normally include taking vitals signs and information, taking medical histories, preparing patients for examinations, and assisting during the appointment. Medical assistants may also take blood, give injections, and perform similar duties. A medical assistant must be comfortable working with patients, doctors and front office staff.
MTI College
Locations:
Sacramento, CA
N
National Career Education
Locations:
Citrus Heights, CA
Newbridge College
Request More Information Locations:
Long Beach, CA
/ Santa Ana, CA
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Medical Assistant (Diploma)
This 8-month (30-week) Program builds your fundamental knowledge and understanding of basic human anatomy and common pathology; learn the use of Medical Terminology as it relates to the clinical environment; and become skilled in routine diagnostic laboratory procedures, assisting in routine patient examinations and surgical procedures, and understand the administration of medications, as well as your legal and ethical responsibilities.
P
Palladium Technical Academy
Platt College
Request More Information Locations:
Huntington Beach, CA
/ Ontario, CA
/ Los Angeles, CA
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Medical Assisting (Associate's Degree)
This program covers the skills needed to perform routine clinical and administrative procedures for physician’s offices, outpatient clinics and other health care facilities.
R
S
San Joaquin Valley College
Request More Information Locations:
Bakersfield, CA
/ Fresno, CA
/ Modesto, CA
/ Rancho Cucamonga, CA
/ Visalia, CA
/ Rancho Cordova, CA
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Clinical and Administrative Medical Assisting (Associate's Degree)
SJVC's Clinical and Administrative Medical Assisting (CAMA) program trains you in both administrative and clinical medical procedures for medical offices and specialty clinics. A Medical Assistant is a professional, multiskilled member of the health care team who is dedicated to assisting in patient care.
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Clinical Medical Assisting (Associate's Degree)
The Clinical Medical Assisting program at SJVC offers extensive back office training to provide support to physicians and direct patient care in a variety of medical settings. Training includes a balance of classroom instruction with laboratory experience to create the best opportunity for student understanding and performance.
Santa Barbara Business College
Request More Information Locations:
Santa Barbara, CA
/ Santa Maria, CA
/ Bakersfield, CA
/ Ventura, CA
/ Palm Desert, CA
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Medical Assisting (Associate's Degree)
If you want to be a member of a professional healthcare team, this program can prepare you for an exciting career in the medical field. General duties of a medical assistant include preparing patients for treatment, assisting physicians with treatment, preparing and sterilizing instruments, and front office management. In addition students will become certified in phlebotomy and learn how to operate EKG equipment. Strong emphasis is also placed on document coding, insurance forms, and medical terminology.
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Medical Assisting (Diploma)
If you want to be a member of a professional healthcare team, this program can prepare you for an exciting career in the medical field. General duties of a medical assistant include preparing patients for treatment, assisting physicians with treatment, preparing and sterilizing instruments, and front office management. In addition students will become certified in phlebotomy and learn how to operate EKG equipment. Strong emphasis is also placed on document coding, insurance forms, and medical terminology.
South Coast College
Request More Information Locations:
Orange, CA
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Medical Assistant/Billing Specialist (Certificate)
Our program is unique in that not only is billing/coding strongly emphasized, it also encompasses other aspects of a multi-tasked medical worker. Other components of the program include pharmacology, vital signs, medical law/ethics, sterilization techniques, anatomy, terminology, and human diseases, to name a few.
Summit Career College
Request More Information Locations:
Colton, CA
/ Anaheim, CA
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Medical Assistant: Administrative (Diploma)
Front office skills are emphasized along with some basic terminology and procedural techniques commonly performed by Medical Secretaries.
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Medical Assistant: Administrative & Clinical (Diploma)
Emphasis is placed on both front office administrative skills as well as back office clinical skills.
T
Trinity College
Locations:
Vallejo, CA
/ Fairfield, CA
U
UEI
Request More Information Locations:
El Monte, CA
/ Ontario, CA
/ Chula Vista, CA
/ Van Nuys, CA
/ Huntington Park, CA
/ San Bernardino, CA
/ San Diego, CA
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Medical Assistant (Diploma)
UEI will prepare you for a position in the medical field as a front or back office assistant in just eight months.
V
W
West Coast College
Locations:
Victorville, CA
/ Ontario, CA
Western Career College
Request More Information Locations:
Emeryville, CA
/ San Jose, CA
/ Antioch, CA
/ Pleasant Hill, CA
/ Sacramento, CA
/ San Leandro, CA
/ Citrus Heights, CA
/ Stockton, CA
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Health Care Administration (Associate's Degree)
The program specializes in administration, with an emphasis on the practice of various medical and health office skills. In addition, the program presents medical terminology, introduction to anatomy, pharmacology, professional development, and the measuring of vital signs.
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Health Information Technology (Associate's Degree)
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Health Information Technology (Certificate)
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Medical Assisting (Associate's Degree)
Upon completion of this program, students will have the training and experience necessary for the various areas of clinical medical health care. Included are the front and back office skills characteristic of the clinical medical professional, providing students the flexibility to pursue a variety of vocational avenues based upon individual interests.
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Medical Assisting (Certificate)
The Medical Assisting certificate program consists of four areas of training: Clinical, Administrative, Laboratory, and Externship.
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Medical Assisting (Diploma)
Upon completion of this program, students will have the training and experience necessary for several areas of clinical medical health care. Included are the front and back office skills characteristic of the clinical medical professional, providing students the flexibility to pursue a variety of vocational avenues based upon individual interests.
Obesity, poor nutrition, a larger percentage of elderly men and women, increasing numbers of cancer diagnoses, and other troublesome ailments are bringing more and more people to doctor's offices, hospitals, chiropractors, ophthalmologists, and other medical specialists. As a result of the continuing growth in demand for medical assistance, doctors all require help to keep their practices running efficiently. This is where medical assistants come in.
A medical assistant can prove to be invaluable to a doctor as he or she takes care of the day-to-day duties of being a doctor. By taking care of some of the more menial tasks, the doctor can focus on helping the patients with their specific ailment. Medical assistants help a doctor by:
- Handling patient check-in
- Answering phones
- Making appointments
- Filling out insurance paperwork
- Managing incoming business related mail and email
- Filing out patient charts
- Setting up hospital admissions
- Arranging additional lab testing
- Keeping the waiting room organized and neat
- Taking care of billing and invoices
- Entering patient data into the computer
- Mailing test results
In some states, medical assistants may take on additional duties. These include:
- Arranging examination rooms by placing necessary sterilized equipment on trays before the patient arrives
- Collecting urine samples. In rare occasions, medical assistants are able to draw blood samples. In California, samples are limited to nasal smears, throat cultures, or urine samples.
- Going over prescription information, including dosages and interactions
- Taking down brief medical histories
- Going over dietary restrictions
- Preparing prescriptions (especially if samples are prescribed) for patients to take home. All prescriptions must be double-checked by the doctor first
- Taking blood pressure, pulse, height, and weight measurements
- Authorizing prescription refills or calling in prescriptions to a pharmacy
- Safely disposing of needles and other medical supplies
- Preparing a patient for x-rays
- In a vision care center, medical assistants might also be responsible for handling some basic vision tests
- Performing finger prick blood tests
- In California, medical assistants may give injections only if they are intramuscular, intradermal, or subcutaneous (below the skin). Medical assistants are not allowed to give Botox injections per California law.
It is important to realize that medical assistants spend their workdays with sick people. Therefore, medical assistants are exposed to viruses on a regular basis. For this reason, they need flu shots, hepatitis vaccinations, and other vaccinations against communicable diseases.
Medical assistants are not required in any state to be licensed in order to perform basic duties. In addition, California does not require a medical assistant to pass any formal testing. Instead, they leave it up to the hiring doctor to decide if certification is required. All medical assistants must hold an associate's degree in medical assisting, however. Typical programs require successful completion of the following courses:
- Accounting
- Adult Medicine
- Anatomy
- Clinical Skills
- Coding Practices
- Computer Skills
- Diagnostic Studies
- Eldercare
- Emergency Medicine
- Ethics
- First Aid
- History of Medicine
- Insurance Regulations
- Keyboarding
- Medical Law
- Medical Terminology
- Obstetrics/Gynecology
- Office Management
- Patient Assessment
- Patient Relations
- Pathophysiology
- Pediatrics
- Pharmacology
- Physiology
- Primary Care
- Surgery
California requires all medical assistants to have completed two years of college leading to an associate's degree, but there is more. Before you can accept your degree, the state requires ten hours of lab experience drawing blood, ten hours of lab experience in giving shots, and ten hours of experience in administering medications, including nasal medications. You must than demonstrate your abilities in all to prove you have mastered these vital skills.
In 2004, the average wages for medical assistants ranged from $18,000 to $35,000. California is at the higher end of the scale. There is a steady demand for this job, but the salary growth has been minimal. Those holding certification by The American Association of Medical Assistants find better job placement and salaries prevail. Although certification costs $170 ($95 for association members), it is well worth. Certification often qualifies you for higher paying positions. To become certified, you must complete an internship with a medical practice and then take the certification test.
Working in a hospital setting tends to bring in the highest income while medical assistants working in small medical offices earn the least. There are pros and cons to each. Hospital work will be far busier, but this is perfect for someone who wants to be constantly moving. In a small medical practice, duties may lapse between patients, so you will have more time to catch up on paperwork. You will, however, have less interaction with patients.
Have we forgotten a California medical assisting school?
If you know of a school that we don't have listed here, please let us know by emailing us at info@california-vocational-schools.com.
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