Accredited Medical Assistant Programs in Southern California
Contents
Considering a career as a medical assistant? Check out our list of accredited medical assistant programs in Southern California!
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Introduction
Medical assisting is one of the most versatile allied health professions, and offers a wide range of career opportunities. If you are interested in pursuing a career in medical assisting, you will need to complete an accredited medical assistant program.
There are many accredited medical assistant programs in Southern California, and choosing the right one can be difficult. To help you make your decision, we have put together a list of some of the best programs in the region.
What is a Medical Assistant?
A medical assistant is a member of the healthcare team who perform administrative and clinical tasks to keep the office of a physician running smoothly. A medical assistant may work in a hospital, clinic, or doctor’s office. The duties of a medical assistant vary from office to office, but usually include taking patient histories and vital signs, scheduling appointments, preparing patients for examination, answering phones, handling correspondence, billing, and coding. Many Medical assistants also take X-rays and give injections. In some states, Medical Assistants may be allowed to perform certain tasks that are normally done by a licensed health professional, such as drawing blood or giving injections.
Duties of a Medical Assistant
Medical assistants are multipurpose health care professionals who work alongside physicians, nurses and other medical staff in outpatient facilities, like clinics and doctor’s offices. They are responsible for a variety of administrative and clinical tasks, from updating patient medical records and scheduling appointments to taking vitals signs and collecting lab specimens.
In order to become a medical assistant, you must complete an accredited medical assistant program. There are many accredited medical assistant programs in Southern California that can be completed in as little as two semesters. Upon completion of an accredited program, you will be eligible to take the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
Education and Training Requirements
In order to become a medical assistant in Southern California, you must first complete an accredited medical assistant program. There are many accredited programs available in the state, and the one you choose will likely depend on your budget, schedule, and desired location. Once you have completed a medical assistant program, you will then need to obtain certification from the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). After certification, you will be able to begin your career as a medical assistant in Southern California.
Job Outlook
The job outlook for medical assistants is very good. In fact, the Bureau of Labor and Statistics has predicted that employment in this field will grow by 29% between 2016 and 2026. This is much faster than the average for all occupations. The aging population and the increasing number of insured Americans under the Affordable Care Act are both driving this growth.
There are many accredited medical assistant programs in Southern California. These programs typically take about a year to complete, and they can be found at community colleges, vocational schools, and some four-year universities. After completing an accredited program, medical assistants can sit for the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
Salary
The average salary for a medical assistant in Southern California is $34,095 per year.
Certification
There are many accredited medical assistant programs in Southern California. Once you have completed a certified program, you will be able to take the national certification exam. This will give you the credentials to work as a medical assistant in any state.
Accredited Medical Assistant Programs in Southern California
Medical assistants perform a variety of administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians and other health practitioners running smoothly. The job outlook for medical assistants is excellent, with an anticipated 29% growth in employment from 2016 to 2026.*
In order to become a medical assistant, you will need to complete an accredited program. Here is a list of accredited medical assistant programs in Southern California:
-American Medical Technologists (AMT)
-Allied Health Professionals
-Bryman School of Allied Health
-Everest College
-Heald College
-Intercoast Colleges
-Kaplan College
-National University
-Riverside Community College
-West Coast University
Conclusion
There are many accredited medical assistant programs in Southern California. The quality of these programs varies, so it is important to do your research before enrolling in one.
Some things you may want to consider include the length of the program, the cost, the schedule, and the location. You will also want to make sure that the program is accredited by a recognized accrediting body.
Once you have considered all of these factors, you will be able to choose the accredited medical assistant program that is right for you.
Further Resources
If you’re interested in becoming a medical assistant in Southern California, there are a few things you should know. First, you’ll need to complete an accredited medical assistant program. Second, you’ll need to pass the certification exam administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
There are many accredited medical assistant programs in Southern California. The following schools are all accredited by the AAMA:
-American Career College-Los Angeles
-Antelope Valley College
-Citrus Valley Health Partners-Inter-Community Campus
-Coast Career Institute
-Concorde Career College-Garden Grove
-Glendale Community College
-Long Beach City College
-Los Angeles Harbor College
-Los Angeles Trade Technical College
-Mt. San Antonio College
-National University-Costa Mesa Campus
-Orange Coast College
-Pasadena City College
-Riverside Community College
-San Bernardino Valley College