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What Does a Medical Assistant Do?
Medical assistants support healthcare teams by performing both administrative and clinical responsibilities in outpatient settings such as clinics, primary care offices, and specialty practices. Their work helps maintain efficient patient flow while ensuring accurate documentation and safe clinical procedures.
Medical Assistant Administrative and Clinical Duties
- Administrative Duties:
- Arranging for hospital admissions and lab services.
- Entering/updating patient records.
- Completing insurance and billing forms.
- Scheduling appointments with patients.
- Processing authorization requests for specialty care.
- Interviewing patients during intake.
- Clinical Duties:
- Assisting physicians during patient exams.
- Changing patient dressings, removing sutures.
- Drawing blood, collecting lab specimens, and taking patient vitals.
- Educating patients on medical treatments and therapies
- Preparing and administering medical therapies
- Preparing patients for examinations
Why Become a Medical Assistant in California?
California continues to be one of the largest healthcare employment markets in the country, and medical assistants play a central role in outpatient care. State labor projections show strong long-term demand, with medical assisting identified as a consistently growing allied health occupation.
Statewide demand is increasing due to:
- Expanding outpatient and ambulatory care services
- Greater emphasis on preventative care
- A growing population of older adults who require ongoing medical support
- Increased administrative and clinical responsibilities in medical offices
California Employment Development Department projections indicate:
- 17.4% job growth for medical assistants, representing one of the fastest-growing healthcare support occupations in the state
The South Los Angeles region, including Gardena, Inglewood, Hawthorne, and nearby communities, has a particularly high concentration of outpatient clinics and community health organizations.
Common hiring environments for medical assistants include:
- Primary care and family medicine offices
- Outpatient specialty clinics
- Urgent care and same-day access centers
- Community health clinics
- Hospital-affiliated outpatient departments
Medical Assistant Program Options at Montes HCC
Montes HealthCare College offers two training formats designed to meet different scheduling needs while providing the same core curriculum, skills development, and externship preparation. Both formats include supervised laboratory work, competency-based assessments, and eligibility to sit for the National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) exam through NCCT upon completion.
In-Person Medical Assistant Program
The in-person format provides a structured, classroom-based learning environment with all instruction delivered on campus.
- Key features include:
- 100% on-campus instruction, including lectures, labs, and assessments
- Weekly schedule: Monday–Thursday, 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM
- Program length: Approximately 6 months
- Hands-on components: Clinical skills labs, simulation activities, patient prep exercises, and supervised procedural practice
- This format may be well-suited for:
- Students who prefer face-to-face instruction
- Individuals who benefit from a traditional classroom setting
- Learners who want daily access to labs, equipment, and instructor support
Hybrid Medical Assistant Program
The hybrid format combines online coursework with on-campus laboratory training. This structure mirrors many leading hybrid allied health programs and is designed to support students balancing work, family responsibilities, or evening availability.
- Program structure:
- 2 days per week on campus for hands-on labs and skill demonstrations
- 3 days per week online, delivered through virtual lectures and guided coursework
- Weekly schedule: Monday-Friday, 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM
- Program length: Approximately 8 months
- This format may be well-suited for:
- Anatomy and physiology foundations
- Medical terminology
- Administrative procedures, billing, and insurance concepts
- Professional communication and healthcare documentation
- Legal and ethical considerations, including HIPAA and confidentiality
- On-campus sessions focus on:
- Clinical skill development (vital signs, phlebotomy, injections)
- Specimen handling and laboratory procedures
- Patient preparation and exam support
- Simulation-based practice with instructor supervision
- Benefits of the hybrid format include:
- Evening schedule that supports working adults
- Flexibility for students managing employment or caregiving responsibilities
- Blended learning structure that allows academic material to be completed online while preserving full in-person lab training
- Identical clinical preparation and externship requirements as the in-person program
- This format may be well-suited for:
- Students needing a more adaptable weekly schedule
- Individuals seeking evening classes
- Learners comfortable with structured online coursework combined with required in-person lab participation
The hybrid program includes the same 160-hour externship requirement as the in-person program and maintains full NCMA exam eligibility, ensuring that learning outcomes remain consistent across both formats.
What You’ll Learn (Curriculum & Skills)
The Medical Assistant Program at Montes HealthCare College is designed to build competency across clinical, administrative, and professional skill areas. The curriculum integrates classroom instruction, laboratory practice, and real-world application to prepare students for outpatient care environments.
Clinical Skills
Students develop the foundational clinical competencies required in medical offices, community clinics, and specialty practices. Training includes:
- Vital signs measurement and accurate documentation
- Phlebotomy techniques, specimen collection, and handling
- Injection preparation and administration under supervision
- EKG procedures, including electrode placement and tracing basics
- Patient preparation for examinations and minor procedures
- Assistance during provider-led procedures and patient assessments
Clinical labs emphasize:
- Infection control and safety protocols
- CLIA-waived testing procedures commonly used in outpatient care
- Maintaining sterile and organized work areas
Administrative and Front-Office Skills
The program also covers administrative functions that support patient flow and office efficiency:
- Scheduling appointments and managing patient intake
- Insurance processing, including referrals and authorization requests
- Completing and updating electronic medical records (EMRs)
- Charting, documentation accuracy, and basic office communications
These skills help students understand how administrative and clinical tasks work together in ambulatory care settings.
Communication, Professional Conduct, and Legal Knowledge
Coursework includes professional expectations and regulatory standards:
- Patient education and clear communication techniques
- Professional behavior in clinical environments
- HIPAA, confidentiality, and ethical considerations
- Understanding scope of practice in outpatient care
Students learn how to interact with patients, families, and healthcare teams in a supportive and compliant manner.
Pharmacology and Foundational Sciences
Students are introduced to:
- Basic pharmacology principles relevant to medication preparation
- Anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology
- Concepts that support safe clinical judgment and accurate documentation
Externship Readiness
The program concludes with a 160-hour externship, where students apply the skills learned in class and lab:
- Hands-on experience in real outpatient settings
- Exposure to patient interactions, workflow patterns, and clinical routines
- Increased confidence performing both administrative and clinical tasks
The externship reinforces practical competency and prepares students for entry-level medical assistant roles.
Program Length & Schedule
Montes HealthCare College offers two training formats with defined schedules and program durations. Both formats include classroom instruction, laboratory practice, and a required 160-hour externship completed in a clinical setting.
In-Person Medical Assistant Program
- Program length: Approximately 6 months
- Weekly schedule: Monday-Thursday, 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM
- Format: All coursework, labs, and assessments are completed on campus
Hybrid Medical Assistant Program
- Program length: Approximately 8 months
- Weekly schedule: Monday-Friday, 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM
- Format:
- 2 days per week on campus for hands-on laboratory sessions
- 3 days per week online for virtual lectures and guided coursework
Externship Requirement
Both the in-person and hybrid programs conclude with a 160-hour externship, completed at a medical office or clinic. This component provides supervised experience with patient interactions, administrative tasks, and clinical procedures.
Certification Eligibility (NCMA)
Graduates of the Medical Assistant Program at Montes HealthCare College are eligible to pursue a nationally recognized credential upon completion.
- Students are eligible to sit for the National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) exam through the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) or the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) or Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) through the National HealthCareer Association (NHA).
- California does not require medical assistants to be certified; however, many employers prefer or strongly favor applicants with a recognized credential.
- Certification may strengthen employability by demonstrating proficiency in administrative and clinical competencies.
- Taking the NCMA exam is optional, but it is recommended for students seeking a competitive advantage in job applications.
Admissions Requirements
Applicants to the Medical Assistant Program must meet baseline academic and health-related criteria to ensure readiness for classroom, laboratory, and clinical training.
Applicants must provide:
- A high school diploma or equivalent
- A valid government-issued photo ID
- Evidence of English proficiency sufficient for participation in coursework and patient communication
Program Costs & What’s Included
The total cost of the Medical Assistant Program at Montes HealthCare College is $7,500. This tuition rate applies to both the in-person and hybrid formats and reflects all instructional, laboratory, and externship components.
Included with tuition:
- Required textbooks
- Supplies and materials for classroom and laboratory use
- One uniform set
- Stethoscope
- Study guides and academic support materials
- Tutoring assistance throughout the program
Montes HealthCare College partners with Climb Credit to offer financing options for students who prefer structured payment plans. These options are designed to make tuition manageable without additional hidden fees.
Salary & Job Outlook in California
Medical assistants in California benefit from one of the strongest employment markets in the country. State and regional data show competitive wages and sustained growth across outpatient care settings.
State and national salary benchmarks:
- The average mean annual wage for medical assistants in California is $50,900.
- In the Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim region, the average mean annual wage is approximately $46,480.
- Nationally, medical assistants earn a lower median wage compared to California, reflecting the state’s higher demand and cost of living.
Job outlook:
- California projects a 17.4% increase in medical assistant employment, driven by growth in outpatient clinics, preventative care services, and specialty practices.
- The state continues to rank among the top employers for medical assistants nationwide.
Career Paths After Graduation
Graduates of the Medical Assistant Program are prepared for entry-level roles in outpatient healthcare settings. Training in both administrative and clinical competencies supports a range of positions within medical offices, community clinics, and specialty practices.
Common roles include:
- Medical Assistant (administrative, clinical, or mixed roles)
- Back Office Assistant, supporting clinical workflows and patient preparation
- Front Office Coordinator, assisting with scheduling, intake, and documentation
- Clinic Assistant in primary care or specialty practices
- Entry-level EKG Technician, depending on employer requirements
- Phlebotomy-focused medical assistant roles, particularly in offices with high specimen collection needs
Enroll At Montes HealthCare College Today
If you’re ready to take the first step toward becoming a medical assistant, we encourage you to get in touch today! Fill out the contact form below to schedule a tour and learn more about what we can do for you. If you have any questions or would like more information, get in touch by calling (424) 373-8211 or emailing us at info@monteshcc.com.
FAQ
How long does it take to become a medical assistant?
Program length varies by format. The in-person program takes approximately 6 months, and the hybrid program takes approximately 8 months. Each program includes a required 160-hour externship.
Is a medical assistant certification required in California?
No. California does not require medical assistants to be certified. However, many employers prefer applicants who hold a recognized credential such as the NCMA through NCCT or CCMA or CMAA through NHA.
What’s the difference between administrative and clinical medical assistants?
Administrative medical assistants focus on scheduling, insurance processing, and documentation. Clinical medical assistants support patient care through tasks such as vital signs, injections, phlebotomy, and exam preparation.
Can I work while enrolled in the hybrid program?
The hybrid format offers an evening schedule with a mix of online coursework and on-campus lab sessions, which may be suitable for students who need daytime availability for work.
Is the hybrid program fully online?
No. The hybrid program combines online instruction with required in-person laboratory sessions held on campus two days per week.
What skills do medical assistants learn during training?
Students learn clinical skills such as vital signs, phlebotomy, injections, EKG procedures, and specimen collection, along with administrative skills including scheduling, EMR use, and insurance documentation.
What is the externship like?
The externship is a 160-hour supervised experience in a medical office or clinic. Students practice administrative and clinical tasks while observing day-to-day workflows in an outpatient environment.
Do medical assistants get hired without certification?
Yes. Employers in California may hire individuals without certification. However, earning the NCMA, CCMA, or CMAA credential can strengthen a candidate’s qualifications and may be preferred by some clinics.