Start Your Path to a Healthcare Career as a Medical Assistant.
NOCE’s Medical Assistant Certificate provides the first steps to enter a new career. If you enjoy helping others and working with doctors, enroll today!
This program will prepare students for an entry-level position as a medical assistant in an administrative and/or a clinical setting. The program consists of courses that prepare students with the knowledge and skills needed to perform a medical assistant’s tasks in medical and healthcare settings.
What You’ll Learn
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Students who complete the program will learn to:
- Collect and input patient medical history into the computer
- Create and manage patient files and reports
- Process medical insurance claims
- Perform clinical tasks such as taking and recording vital signs
- Assist doctors with physical exams
- Perform other lab collecting procedures
- Understand the legal and ethical requirements of healthcare
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To be eligible, you must:
- Students must be 18 years or older
- Complete an NOCE Admissions Application
- Complete an online general orientation at least 24 hours before registering
- Must purchase and wear Medical Assistant Program uniform (scrubs) for all classes
- Recommended – Have basic English reading, writing, and speaking skills, and/or be at an ESL Intermediate High level
- Recommended – Basic math skills
- Program Guide and Resources
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Industry Certification and Resources
The program prepares students to sit for the National Health Career Association (NHA), Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA), and/or Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) examination to earn a national medical assisting certification.
For more information on CMAA and/or CCMA certification, visit https://www.nhanow.com/
Get Started!
NOCE’s programs can put you on the path for exciting new career opportunities and more earning potential. Get started today!
As a medical assistant, you’ll help your healthcare facility run efficiently. This involves performing clinical and administrative duties. Admin duties may include: scheduling appointments, maintaining medical and billing records, and coding insurance information. Clinical duties may include: taking and recording vital signs, recording medical histories, preparing patients for exams, and administering medication.
Career Highlights and Opportunities
- English language – reading, writing, and speaking skills usually at or above an ESL (English as a Second Language) Intermediate High level
- Social Perceptiveness – Understanding people’s reactions
- Active Listening – Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
- Medical Assistant (MA)
- Medical Office Assistant
- Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
- Clinical Assistant
- Medical Reception/Receptionist
- Medical Administrative
- Record patients’ medical history, vital statistics, or information such as test results in medical records.
- Prepare treatment rooms for patient examinations, keeping the rooms neat and clean.
- Interview patients to obtain medical information and measure their vital signs, weight, and height.
- Explain treatment procedures, medications, diets, or physicians’ instructions to patients.
- Clean and sterilize instruments and dispose of contaminated supplies.
- Perform general office duties, such as answering telephones, taking dictation, or completing insurance forms.
- Schedule appointments for patients.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What do I receive when finished and how long does it take?
Students who complete the Medical Assistant program receive a certificate with an emphasis in Front Office or Front and Back Office work. The program can be completed in as little as 8-10 months.
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How much does it cost?
The Medical Assistant courses are tuition-free. However, students are responsible for covering the cost of textbooks, scrubs, course supplies, and a parking pass.
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What are the jobs and how much do they pay in California?
Career opportunities include medical assistant, medical office assistant, certified medical assistant, clinical assistant, medical reception/receptionist, and medical administrative
- Number of jobs in 2018: 9,569
- 2018-28 projected job growth: 22%
- Entry-level pay in 2018: $28,808/annually, $13.85/hour
- Median pay in 2018: $34,715/annually, $16.69/hour
Note: Salary and employment outlook is for Orange County, CA, and will vary depending on skill, experience, employer, and geographic location.
I was a physician in my home country of Syria, and I was highly credentialed in nutritional medicine. But, as a father of three I made the difficult decision to leave my home country and come to the United States for better opportunities. I enrolled in the Medical Assistant Certificate Program at NOCE so I can one day practice medicine again in the U.S. Mohammed Jamal
CTE Program Graduate – Medical Assistant Certificate Program
