Medical Assistant Schools in California

California is the most heavily populated state in the United States, and continues to grow in popularity due to its mild warm weather and beautiful scenery. Located on the west coast on the Pacific Ocean, California is home to two of the largest cities in the world, Los Angeles and San Francisco. The landscape is varied and includes mountain ranges in the Sierras, the Mojave Desert, majestic Redwood trees to the north, and a large beachside community. The California Gold Rush marked this state on the map and its presence continues to glisten and shine. The state is home to some of the most notable universities, colleges, and medical schools in the country. Prominent medical assistant schools in California are on the rise due to the increased trend in health care and the demands required to service a growing community. read more [+]

Everest College is one of the qualified medical assistant schools in California that offers flexible courses in a number of medical assistant training programs. Located on campuses throughout the state, Everest College offers both day and evening classes in medical assistant training, pharmacy technology, medical administrative assisting, medical insurance billing and coding, and surgical technology. By offering flexible day and evening coursework, students reap the benefits of being able to balance their academic career while accommodating their home and work schedules.

California is also home to the Santa Rosa campus of Empire College. The college offers medical assistant training programs in career focused concentrations including phlebotomy, medical transcription, medical billing and coding, medical administration, clinic medical assistant training, and a specialized Associate’s degree as a medical assistant. The hands-on training accompanied with a skilled career placement service department allows students to achieve employment at a quicker rate than those graduating with little to no guidance.

Kaplan College

Diploma
Diploma: Medical Assistant
Bakersfield, Sacramento, San Diego, Riverside, Vista, Panorama City, Clovis, Chula Vista, Palm Springs, Salida, Stockton, North Hollywood

Mayfield College

Certificate
Medical Assistant
Cathedral City

Platt College

Associate
Medical Assisting
Los Angeles, Ontario

Empire College

Associate, Diploma
Medical Assisting
Santa Rosa

Milan Institute

Diploma
Medical Assisting, Administrative Medical Assistant
Clovis, Indio, Visalia

Charter College

Certificate, Diploma
Medical Assistant
Oxnard, Canyon Country, Lancaster, Long Beach

Summit Career College

Certificate
Medical Assistant - Administration and Clinical
Colton, Anaheim

UEI College

Diploma
Medical Assistant, Clinical Medical Assistant
Huntington Park, Chula Vista, Ontario, San Bernardino, San Diego, Van Nuys, El Monte, San Marcos, Anaheim, Fresno

Everest College

Diploma
Diploma - Medical Assisting
Anaheim, Los Angeles, City of Industry, Alhambra, Gardena, Hayward, Ontario, Reseda, San Bernardino, San Francisco, San Jose, Torrance, Santa Ana

Heald College

Associate
Medical Assisting
Rancho Cordova, Roseville, Stockton, Fresno, Hayward, San Francisco, Milpitas, Concord, Salinas, Salida

High-Tech Institute

Diploma
Medical Assistant
Rancho Cordova

National Career College

Diploma
Medical Assisting, Blood Withdrawal
Van Nuys

American Career College

Certificate
Medical Assistant
Los Angeles, Anaheim, Ontario

Newbridge College

Diploma
Medical Assistant
Long Beach, Santa Ana, El Cajon

Concorde

Diploma
Medical Assistant
Garden Grove, North Hollywood, San Bernardino, San Diego

San Joaquin Valley College

Certificate, Associate
Clinical Medical Assisting
Visalia, Salida, Hesperia, Fresno, Hanford

Blake Austin College

Certificate
Administrative Medical Assistant
Vacaville

Carrington College California

Certificate, Associate
Medical Assisting
San Jose, Citrus Heights, Emeryville, Antioch, Pleasant Hill, San Leandro, Stockton, Sacramento, Pomona

Casa Loma College

Diploma
Medical Assistant
Anaheim, Hawthorne, Van Nuys

Finding a Legitimate Medical Assisting School

Medical assistants receive their training at a variety of schools which include vocational schools, community or junior colleges, technical institutes, and online programs. To become a certified medical assistant (CMA) with marketable skills that will help secure a good paying job, it is necessary to find a suitable medical assisting school.

When sifting through available medical assisting programs, keep these 10 simple tips in mind:

1. Compile a List

Visit potential employers to establish a rapport, and determine if they have any preferences in curriculums or schools. Future employers can be a great source of information on what to expect in the workplace. Speak with current CMAs about their educational experiences. As graduates of a program, they have a better insight of what to look for and what to avoid. Finally, use Internet searches to help compile a list of possible medical assistant schools.

2. Narrow by Location

Decide on a preferable location using criteria such as rural or urban setting, climate, or school size. It is beneficial to find a local school. If the school offers a job placement program, the chances of getting a job after graduation are much higher.

3. Admission Standards

Choose a suitable program with admission requirements that match your completed classes or programs. Find ways to fulfill what is needed to meet the outlined program's standards.

4. Tuition and Financial Aid

Grants, loans, and financial aid can help defray the cost. Remember - a pricey school doesn't necessarily mean a better program!

5. Career Placement Services

How many graduates from a particular school get jobs? Does the school have internship or externship programs? This information is important when determining the effectiveness of a school's placement service, and ultimately its education and training.

6. Standards and Expectations

A school is only as good as its teachers. Devise a scheme that allows for unbiased comparison between different schools and their faculty. This scheme could include the faculties academic background and work experience, and whether or not they are expected to take continuing education credits.

7. Innovativeness and Competitiveness

Does the school have state-of-the-art facilities and teaches the newest technologies? There is no point in learning outdated techniques and on outdated equipment.

8. Accredited

The Commissions on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program (CAAHEP) accredits medical assisting institutions. While having an accreditation doesn't necessarily mean a superior program, the lack of accreditation, however, may have dire consequences.

9. Rank and Reputation

A school's reputation reflects the quality of education offered.

10. Class Size

This is personal preference as some people prefer the intimate setting of smaller classes while others prefer larger schools.

Once the list is narrowed to a few possible schools, plan on visiting the short-listed schools. While at the school, talk to students and teachers, and get a better feel of the program. Since visiting schools is expensive, it is recommended that the list be narrowed to three final schools. Looking for a school may seem like a daunting task, but it is worth the time and financial investment to find a school that educates more marketable CMAs.

Other cities in California

Online Schools

The following is a list of schools that offer online Medical Assistant Schools programs.

Keiser University eCampus Online

  • Medical Assisting, AS (Online)

OTHER COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGES IN CALIFORNIA

California College of Vocational Careers

2822 F St - Ste L, Bakersfield, California 93301
Telephone:(661) 323-6791
http://www.cacvc.com

Charles A. Jones Skills and Business Education Center

5451 Lemon Hill Ave, Sacramento, California 95824
Telephone:(916) 433-2600 x1011
http://www.scusd.edu

Mt Diablo Adult Education

1266 San Carlos, Concord, California 94518
Telephone:(925) 685-7340 x2744
http://www.mdusd.k12.ca.us/adulted

North-West College-Pasadena

530 E Union, Pasadena, California 91101
Telephone:(626) 796-5815
http://www.north-westcollege.com

North-West College-Riverside

10020 Indiana St, Riverside, California 92503
Telephone:(951) 351-7750
http://www.north-westcollege.com