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You have a doctor’s appointment to go to, so you get checked in, sit down, and wait for your name to be called.
Someone comes out of the office and calls your name to be seen.
They lead you into one of the exam rooms and take your vitals.
Then you sit down and wait some more before you are finally seen by the doctor.
During your visit, you come into contact with multiple people to keep things running smoothly.
These people are called medical assistants.
Medical assistants need to have training and education in the healthcare field before they can do this job.
Read below to find out what schools in San Diego, CA offer medical assistant programs.
1 San Diego Mesa College
About the School
San Diego Mesa College is one of several colleges included in the San Diego Community College District.
Some of the other colleges included in the San Diego Community College District include:
- San Diego City College
- Sand Diego Miramar College
- San Diego Continuing Education
- San Diego Community College District
San Diego Mesa College offers a variety of programs, including architecture, aquatics, biology, business management, child development, chemistry, dance, economics, health information technology, medical assistant, and much more.
Courses Offered
There are two options to choose from in the medical assistant program.
Students can choose between a certificate of achievement, which is 29-30 credits, or an associate of science degree, which is 60 credits.
The required courses for both the certificate and the associate degree include:
- Fundamentals Human Anatomy and Physiology or Elements of Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Administrative Medical Assisting I
- Medical Ethics and Legal Issues for the Allied Health Professional
- Human Behavior for Allied Health Students
- Principles of Infection Control and Sterile Technique
- Principles of Patient Care
- Diagnostic Testing
- Phlebotomy for Medical Assisting
- Administrative Medical Assisting II
- Electrocardiogram Application
- Minor Surgery
- Medication Administration
- Directed Clinical Practice
- Medical Terminology
- Pathophysiology
Address: 7250 Mesa College Drive, San Diego, CA, 92111
2 Southwestern College
About the School
Southwestern College has five locations and an online option for students to choose from.
The locations of Southwestern College include Chula Vista, National City, Otay Mesa, San Ysidro, and Crown Cove.
Southwestern College offers a variety of degree programs to choose from to suit a variety of student passions and needs.
Some of the programs that are offered include:
- Accounting
- American Sign Language
- African-American Studies
- Art
- Business Management
- Communication
- Criminal Law
- Dance
- Medical Assistant
- and much more
Courses Offered
Southwestern College offers four different medical assistant programs:
- Medical Assisting (Associate of Science)
- Medical Assisting – Administrative (Certificate of Achievement)
- Medical Assisting – Clinical (Certificate of Achievement)
- Medical Assisting – Medical Insurance Billing and Coding (Certificate of Achievement)
Students can choose whether to go the associate’s degree route and learn every aspect of medical assistant or just dive into one part of medical assistant with a certificate program.
Address: 900 Otay Lakes Road, Chula Vista, CA, 91910
3 International Health Group Career College
About the School
International Health Group Career College was founded in 2006.
Three campuses are included in the International Health Group Career College.
These include the Chula Vista campus, the San Diego campus, and the Escondido campus.
It offers a variety of health-related degrees, including:
- CNA program
- MA program
- RNA program
- HHA certification
- CPR classes
- LVN program
- Continuing education
Courses Offered
The medical assistant program at International Health Group Career College takes approximately 10 weeks to complete.
There are three options for the medical assistant program: Administrative Medical Assistant, Clinical Medical Assistant, and Medical Assistant.
The administrative medical assistant program teaches students everything needed to work in the front office setting.
The clinical medical assistant program teaches the students everything they need to know to work in the back office in a medical setting.
The medical assistant program teaches students both the administrative and clinical sides of working as a medical assistant.
Address: 8787 Complex Drive, San Diego, CA, 92123
4 Concorde Career Colleges
About the School
Concorde Career College is home to 17 locations and a variety of programs.
Students can complete their coursework online while also getting hands-on experience through clinical and lab work.
Concorde’s core values include:
- Respect
- Integrity
- Teamwork
- Customer service
- achievement
Courses Offered
There are a couple of choices for the medical assistant program at Concorde Career College.
Students can choose whether to earn the eight-month certificate or the 16-month associate of science degree.
The medical assistant program is designed to teach students the following skills:
- Scheduling and receiving patients
- Infection control
- Basic first aid and CPR
- Common diagnostic tests and sample preparation
- Preparing and maintaining patient medical records
- Taking vital signs and patient medical history
Address: 4393 Imperial Avenue, San Diego, CA, 92113
5 Glendale Career College
About the School
Glendale Career College was founded in 1946 and has provided students with high-quality hands-on education and training ever since.
Some of the programs that Glendale Career College offers include:
- Surgical Technology
- Medical Assisting
- Dental Assistant
- Pharmacy Technician
- Medical Insurance Biller and Coder
- Vocational Nurse
- And many more
Courses Offered
Glendale Career College prepares students to work in a healthcare setting as medical assistants.
Students who have completed this program are eligible to work in the front office doing administrative work or in the back office doing clinical work.
Some of the skills that Glendale Career College teaches its students include:
- Scheduling appointments for patients
- Taking patient vital signs
- Giving injections and medications
- Maintaining and recording patient medical records
- Handling and preparing instruments and supplies
Address: 6106 Arosa Street, San Diego, CA, 92115
Schools Summary Table
| Rank | School | |
|---|---|---|
|
#1 | San Diego Mesa College |
|
#2 | Southwestern College |
|
#3 | International Health Group Career College |
|
#4 | Concorde Career Colleges |
|
#5 | Glendale Career College |
Read the full guide: How to Become a Medical Assistant
Medical Assisting by City
Medical Assisting by State