Medical Assistant Program

Our Medical Assistant program helps prepare you to manage a variety of clinical and administrative tasks to keep healthcare offices running smoothly. Work hands-on with patients to administer medication and perform routine lab procedures.

Here are some things you may do:

• Take and record vital signs and medical histories
• Run routine lab tests
• Prepare treatment rooms and check office and lab supplies
• Assist doctors with exams and administer tests
• Keep records on patients' health ¹

¹ California Employment Development Department Detailed Guide, Medical Assistants in California

Medical assistants help our health facilities run smoothly. They perform a variety of administrative tasks and keep offices organized. Student in our medical assistant program will be trained to do the following:

• Greet patients
• Run routine lab tests
• Take blood pressure and temperatures
• Prepare treatment rooms for patient examinations
• Check office and lab supplies¹

¹California Employment Development Department OCC Guide, Medical Assistants

If you love working with people and are good at making them feel at ease, you might enjoy being a medical assistant.

Here are some of the top skills and attributes that make for a great medical assistant:

Active listening – Not only do medical assistants greet patients, but they also speak with them to obtain medical information. Being a good listener means they can efficiently and effectively obtain essential information.

Critical thinking – Medical assistants are often essential in the workings of the office. Critical thinking can help them more efficiently manage office schedules, inventory, and tasks.

Service orientation – A great medical assistant is one with a passion for helping patients and for providing the best care possible.

Time management – Medical assistants have to effectively manage their own time between attending to patients and managing office tasks.

Communication – When dealing with patients, medical assistants have to be effective communicators, including speaking to patients and instructing them on health care when necessary.

Medical assistants can work in a variety of settings, including:

• Physicians’ offices
• Outpatient care centers
• General medical and surgical hospitals
• Offices of other healthcare practitioners¹

¹California Employment Development Department OCC Guide, Medical Assistants

This class curriculum is divided into learning units called modules. Students are required to complete the Introduction to Healthcare class module before beginning the standalone core class modules. The final component of the course curriculum is a 200-hour school externship that will be arranged for you at an appropriate area healthcare facility. Modules for the American Career College Medical Assistant program include:

Introduction to Healthcare Professions – The course provides an overview of healthcare professions, including the history of medicine, ethical standards, medical terminology, and behaviors that are expected of professionals in the field.

Medical Assistant Roles and Responsibilities – Topics covered in these courses include the legal responsibilities of physicians and healthcare team members; the importance of asepsis and sterile techniques; medical emergencies and first aid procedures; and how to interact and communicate effectively in a professional environment.

Office Procedures and Clinical Practices – In these courses, you will be challenged to learn and identify the basic structural components and functions of the skeletal, muscular, digestive, and integumentary systems. Emphasis is placed on patient care, including the complete physical exam and positioning, and draping for a variety of procedures.

Medical Terminology/Transcription/Patient Records – Coursework in this module covers use of the medical dictionary, medical terms, and medical abbreviations. You will also learn how to obtain information from patient charts and ledgers to complete insurance forms accurately.                             

Electrocardiogram and Laboratory Procedures – In these courses, you will receive training in the circulatory and respiratory systems, including the structure and function of the heart and lungs. You will learn about the electrical pathways of the heart muscle in preparation for connecting EKG leads and recording an electrocardiogram.

Medical Office Business Procedures – These courses focus on preparing you with an understanding of billing, collecting, and banking procedures. You will learn how to schedule appointments and effectively communicate on the telephone using proper etiquette.

Clinical and Surgical Procedures – In these courses, you will learn to identify the basic structural components and functions of the neurosensory, endocrine, and reproductive systems. You will also be introduced to assisting in minor surgical procedures and to the importance of patient education.

Medical Assistant School Externship – Under the direct supervision of qualified personnel, you will be given the opportunity to demonstrate and reinforce the knowledge and skills presented and practiced throughout the program.

For a complete description of coursework in these modules, please refer to the ACC Catalog.

Students can earn their diploma to become a medical assistant in as little as 9 months.

Our admissions advisors and financial aid advisors are here to support you. They can help you figure out the medical assistant school cost and help you explore financial aid options. To learn more about ACC’s Dental Assistant program cost, access our tuition info.

Yes, financial aid and scholarships are available for those who qualify.

Yes! ACC's medical assistant program includes a 220 hour externship which gives students the opportunity to demonstrate and reinforce the knowledge and skills they acquired learning hands-on throughout the training program.