Best California Medical Assistant Programs & Training Options

Working as a medical assistant in California is a fantastic career option. It is known that the field of health care is growing tremendously in this state, as it is across the country, which means there are plenty of job opportunities. All training programs are overseen by the State Medical Board of California. This means that programs have to be approved by this board, which has the responsibility of guaranteeing that they meet certain requirements and practice regulations. The Board has explained that medical assistants are unlicensed but their education allows them to assist and support a range of medical procedures in various health care clinics. However, they can only do so under full supervision of another, licensed practitioner. This could be a physician, a nurse practitioner, a midwife, a surgeon, a physician's assistant, a podiatrist, and so on. See also 45+ nursing schools in California with entry-level programs.

Top Medical Assistant Programs in California

Rank	School	Location
1	UEI College	Anaheim, Bakersfield, Chula Vista, El Monte, Encino, Fresno, Gardena, Huntington Park, Ontario, Riverside, San Marcos, Santa Cruz, and Stockton, CA
2	Platt College	Alhambra, Ontario and Riverside, CA

There are dozens of schools in California that offer medical assistant programs. This means that searching for the right program for you may be somewhat overwhelming. It is very important that you take the time to contact the schools that are of interest to you in order to find out what they offer and whether that fits with your own personal requirements. Looking into accreditation is particularly important, as most employers will only hire people that have a nationally recognized certification. The state of California itself does not require medical assistants to have a formal license but some employers may still require it. During your medical assistant training, you will usually learn about human anatomy, medical terminology, health care ethics and interpersonal communication. Furthermore, there will also be a strong focus on administrative duties. And if you choose a specialized program, the curriculum will include courses on the exact field you are interested in. For instance, you could have classes in dental assisting, coding and billing, ultrasound procedures, patient care and more. There are many possibilities to choose from and this means that the time it will take for you to graduate and the cost involved in this will vary greatly. Generally, diplomas will take around a year to complete, whereas associate's degrees take around two years. Medical assistants in California earn an average of $15.71 per hour, which is above the national average. Demand is very strong, which means that it is very likely that you will find employment once you have graduated. Some of the places you could find work in include doctors' offices, clinics, community health centers, and nursing homes. Your role is incredibly important because you will be charged with various tasks that make the work of physicians easier to complete. Additionally, as a medical assistant, you will work not just with physicians but with patients as well. Hence, it is very important that you are a people person with excellent communication skills. Below are the best California medical assistant programs & training options. Take your time to look at the differences between them and make sure you request further information from each of these schools and more before you sign up to their courses.

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1. UEI College

   Location

   Anaheim, Bakersfield, Chula Vista, El Monte, Encino, Fresno, Gardena, Huntington Park, Ontario, Riverside, San Marcos, Santa Cruz, and Stockton, CA

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   UEI (United Education Institute) College offers a medical assistant program that ensures students learn how to focus on details. It is a program suitable for those who already have a great deal of people skills. This college understands how fast the field of medicine is growing and that medical assistants are now essential for a range of different tasks, being the heart of many clinics and medical offices. Their role is to prepare patients for procedures and exams, handling their questions and educating them, as well as providing assistance to nurses and physicians and generally running the offices.

   Those who enroll in the medical assisting diploma program at UEI could begin working just eight months after starting the program. They will be able to work directly with people, ensure their medical records are in order and be at the forefront of all the different aspects in medical offices. They will learn how to take vital signs, how to collect specimens, how to instruct and educate patients in various practices relating to their health, how to collect medical histories, how to explain procedures and processes to patients, how to prepare equipment and examination rooms, and how to assist doctors during procedures and exams.

   • Campus: Anaheim, Bakersfield, Chula Vista, El Monte, Encino, Fresno, Gardena, Huntington Park, Ontario, Riverside, San Marcos, Santa Cruz, and Stockton
   • Type: Private, for profit
   • Accreditation: ACCET, ACCSC
   • Tuition: Varies depending on circumstances
   • Minimum time commitment: 8 months
   • Online availability: No
   • Program requirements: Varies depending on individual student
   • Programs: Medical Assistant Diploma
   • School Site: Tuition and Financial Aid

2. Platt College

   Location

   Alhambra, Ontario and Riverside, CA

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   Platt College was founded in 1979. The goal of its leaders has always been to make sure that education is a foundation of professional and personal growth. They want to ensure that all students are able to learn in a supportive environment where they can grow personally, academically and socially. They believe that their role is absolutely vital in the classroom itself, as well as in the full academic experience of a student. Hence, the quality of the teachers is perfectly blended in with excellence. This means that the needs of students are served including the needs of the employers who will hire them after graduation.

   • Campus: Alhambra, Ontario and Riverside
   • Type: Private
   • Accreditation: ACCSC
   • Tuition: Varies depending on location, chosen program and personal circumstances. Financial aid is available.
   • Minimum time commitment: 15 months
   • Online availability: No
   • Program requirements: High School or GED
   • Programs: Medical Administrative Specialist Associate’s degree and diploma
   • School Site: Tuition and Financial Aid