Medical Assistant Programs in California
How to Become a Medical Assistant in California and Medical Assistant Programs in California
Medical assistants fill a vital and highly versatile role in today's healthcare world, particularly in the state of California. Although definite estimates are hard to come by, it may be the case that more people are wondering how to become a medical assistant in California and pursuing medical assistant programs in California than virtually anywhere else in the United States. Many medical professions are challenging to get into in the state of California, which is known for its extremely tough standards when it comes to patient care. However, since medical assistants have minimal direct patient contact, the role is a perfect starting point!
A medical assistant works in a physician's office or hospital, managing the day-to-day tasks that keep the business end of things running smoothly. California medical assistants usually get to work directly with a physician -- if they are employed in a small office setting -- or with the medical director of a large facility. The medical assistant focuses on scheduling appointments and dealing with medical billing and coding. A skilled medical assistant can progress to the role of financial and insurance advisor to patients who are preparing for treatment at a given facility. Conversely, they can choose to emphasize their medical skills instead.
In some environments, a medical assistant might be responsible or drawing blood and even giving patients their medications -- however, in California it is more likely for a medical assistant to have an entirely administrative function. He or she will have to comply with various California state and federal statutes regarding the privacy of privileged medical information, such as HIPPA. Medical assistants frequently find themselves becoming extremely knowledgeable about California state medical practices and doctors' needs, allowing them to move into nursing roles after sufficient education or pursue opportunities at California pharmaceutical firms. A typical medical assistant course of study takes one or two years.
In California, medical assistants can expect to command a median salary of just under $31,000. This is a good $3,000 higher annually than the national average. California medical assistants may also have greater opportunities for advancement and job placement; however, the outlook for this profession is positive throughout the United States, with an expectation of 31% growth in medical assistant hiring through 2010. On-the-job training is an important part of a medical assistant's life, but it is a good idea to seek out tailored programs from community colleges or state colleges that can provide ongoing training on emerging medical office standards.
Medical Assistant Schools Near You & Online in California
Everest College
- 2215 W. Mission Road Alhambra, CA 91803
Programs: LVN, Medical Assistant, Phlebotomy
(626) 979-4940
Everest College
- 511 North Brookhurst, Ste. 300 Anaheim, CA 92801
Programs: LVN, Medical Assistant, Phlebotomy
(714) 953-6500
Carrington College
- 2157 Country Hills Drive Antioch, CA 94509
Programs: LVN, Medical Assistant
(855) 288-2196
Cabrillo College
- 6500 Soquel Drive Aptos, CA 95003
Programs: ADN, Medical Assistant, Phlebotomy, Radiography, RN
(831) 479-6100
Carrington College California
- 7301 Greenback Lane, Suite A Citrus Heights, CA 95621
Programs: Medical Assistant
1(877)206-2106
Heald College
- 5130 Commercial Circle Concord, CA 94520
Programs: Medical Assistant, Phlebotomy
925-288-5800
Orange Coast College
- 2701 Fairview Road Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Programs: Medical Assistant, Radiography
(714) 432-5072
Carrington College California
- 6001 Shellmound Street, Suite 145 Emeryville, CA 94608
Programs: Medical Assistant
1(877)206-2106
Heald College
- 255 West Bullard Avenue Fresno, CA 93704
Programs: Medical Assistant
(559) 438-4222
Everest College
- 1045 W. Redondo Beach Blvd., Suite 275 Gardena, CA 90247
Programs: Medical Assistant, Phlebotomy
(310) 527-7105
Heald College
- 25500 Industrial Boulevard Hayward, CA 94545
Programs: Medical Assistant
(510) 783-2100
Chabot College
- 25555 Hesperian Blvd. Hayward, CA 94545
Programs: ADN, Medical Assistant, RN
(510) 723-6600
Everest College
- 3000 S. Robertson Blvd., Ste. 300 Los Angeles, CA 90034
Programs: Medical Assistant, Phlebotomy
(310) 840-5777
Heald College
- 341 Great Mall Parkway Milpitas, CA 95035
Programs: Medical Assistant
(408) 934-4900
Modesto Junior College
- 435 College Avenue Modesto, CA 95350
Programs: ADN, CNA, Medical Assistant, Phlebotomy, RN
(209) 575-6550
Pasadena City College
- 1570 E. Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91106
Programs: ADN, CNA, LVN, Medical Assistant, Radiography, RN
(626) 585-7123
Carrington College California
- 380 Civic Drive, Suite 300 Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
Programs: Medical Assistant
1(877)206-2106
Heald College
- 2910 Prospect Park Drive Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
Programs: Medical Assistant
(916) 638-1616
Heald College
- 7 Sierra Gate Drive Roseville, CA 95678
Programs: Medical Assistant
(916) 789-8600
Cosumnes River College
- 8401 Center Parkway Sacramento, CA 95823
Programs: Health Information Management-Associate, Medical Assistant
(916) 691-7344
Carrington College California
- 8909 Folsom Boulevard Sacramento, CA 95826
Programs: Medical Assistant
(855) 288-2196
Heald College
- 1450 N. Main Street Salinas, CA 93906
Programs: Medical Assistant
(831) 443-1700
Everest College
- 217 E. Club Center Drive San Bernardino, CA 92408
Programs: Medical Assistant, Phlebotomy
(909) 777-3300
City College of San Francisco
- 50 Phelan Avenue San Francisco, CA 94112
Programs: ADN, CNA, Health Information Management-Associate, LVN, Medical Assistant, Radiation Therapy, Radiography, RN
(415) 239-3000
Everest College
- 814 Mission Street, Ste. 500 San Francisco, CA 94103
Programs: Medical Assistant, Phlebotomy
(415) 777-2500
Heald College
- 875 Howard Street, Suite 100 San Francisco, CA 94103
Programs: Medical Assistant
(415) 808-3000
Everest College
- 1245 South Winchester Blvd, Ste 102 San Jose, CA 95128
Programs: Medical Assistant, Phlebotomy
(408) 246-4171
Carrington College California
- 6201 San Ignacio Ave San Jose, CA 95119
Programs: Medical Assistant
(877) 206-2106
Carrington College California
- 15555 East 14th Street #500 San Leandro, CA 94578
Programs: Medical Assistant
(855) 288-2196
Heald College
- 1605 East March Lane Stockton, CA 95210
Programs: Medical Assistant
(209) 473-5200
Carrington College California
- 1313 West Robinhood Drive Stockton, CA 95207
Programs: Medical Assistant
(855) 288-2196
Southern California Regional Occupational Center
- 2300 Crenshaw Blvd. Torrance, CA 90501
Programs: CNA, Medical Assistant, Phlebotomy
310-224-4200
Modesto Junior College
- 350 N. Kilroy Rd Turlock, CA 95380
Programs: LVN, Medical Assistant
(209) 575-6550
East San Gabriel ROP
- 1501 West Del Norte Street West Covina, CA 91790
Programs: CNA, Medical Assistant
(626) 962-5080