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Medical & Dental Programs

Clinical Medical Assisting

SJVC’s Clinical Medical Assisting and Clinical and Administrative Medical Assisting programs prepare graduates to work in medical offices and clinics.

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SJVC Clinical Medical Assisting

REAL-WORLD SKILLS

Hands-on training prepares you for a career in the real world.

UPLEVEL IF YOU’D LIKE

Certificate of Completion and Associate of Science Degree programs available.

MULTIPLE LOCATIONS

Conveniently available online or at 14 campuses (availability varies by location).

Affordable tuition

Affordable tuition varies by location, learn more now.
SJVC Clinical Medical Assisting Program Details

Program Details

Cost & Financial Aid

There is a financial plan available for everyone, including a broad range of financial assistance options. Visit SJVC’s Net Price Calculator to get personalized information on college costs and financial aid. Check out SJVC’s Academic Catalog to learn about program costs by campus and credential level. You also can talk to an Admissions Representative to discuss the costs of your chosen program, and schedule an appointment with an experienced financial aid officer. Student loans, grants, and scholarships are available to those who qualify.

Program Availability

SJVC’s Clinical Medical Assisting program is available online and at the following campuses:

SJVC also offers a Clinical and Administrative Medical Assisting Associate of Science Degree program online.

Accreditation & Approvals

Institutional Accreditation

San Joaquin Valley College is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), 1080 Marina Village Parkway, Suite 500, Alameda, CA 94501, (510)748-9001.

www.wscuc.org

The WSCUC is an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education.

 

State Approvals

CALIFORNIA

SJVC is a private institution and is approved to operate as an accredited institution by the California Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE). Approval to operate means that SJVC has been found in compliance with the standards set forth in the California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009 (as amended) and Title 5, Division 7.5, – Private Postsecondary Education of the California Code of Regulations. As a prospective student, you are encouraged to review this catalog prior to signing an enrollment agreement. You are also encouraged to review the School Performance Fact Sheet, which must be provided to you prior to signing an enrollment agreement.

A student or any member of the public may file a complaint about this institution with the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education by calling (888) 370-7589 or by completing a complaint form, which can be obtained on the Bureau’s internet website (www.bppe.ca.gov).

View additional State Approvals for SJVC.

What Will I learn?

Drawing blood

Maintaining patient records

Preparing patients for exams

Lab Work protocols

Ready to Do This?

Find your path in Medical Assisting.

You could earn a Certificate of Completion in as few as 9 months. Talk to an admissions advisor about your options.

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Discover What It’s Like to Train at SJVC to Become a Medical Assistant

Discover What It’s Like to Train at SJVC to Become a Medical Assistant

“”
Here at SJVC, everyone is willing to help one another out. Once you become part of this school, you become a part of a family. The staff here have always been supportive since the start. They make sure that you are prepared before actually sending you on to the real world. I am hoping the rest of the students and also any future students that will attend here will enjoy this experience just as I have.
Jamie B.
2019 Clinical Medical Assisting Graduate

Check out our guide on becoming a Medical Assistant in California.

Have you always wanted to work in the medical field, and are looking for a faster way to get started? If so, a job as a medical assistant might be the perfect career for you. You could be prepared to start your new career in as few as 9 months. Read our career guide on how to become a medical assistant in California.

Medical Assisting Career Guide
SJVC Clinical Medical Assisting Career Guide

Successful Grads

Ask one of our 60,000+ graduates about their SJVC experience and they’ll likely describe it as life-changing.

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Medical Assistant FAQ

HOW LONG DO YOU GO TO SCHOOL TO BE A MEDICAL ASSISTANT?
Those who wish to become medical assistants can do so with either a certificate of completion in a qualified medical assistant program, or an associate degree. At SJVC’s Clinical Medical Assisting program, students can earn a certificate of completion in as few as nine months, or an associate of science degree in Clinical and Administrative Medical Assisting in as few as 15 months.
IS A MEDICAL ASSISTANT BETTER THAN CNA?
Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and medical assistants may seem similar, but they’re incredibly different healthcare careers. A CNA may help patients with daily hygiene and personal tasks, like bathing and using the bathroom, under the supervision of a nurse. A major distinction is that medical assistants work in more clerical capacities than CNAs, though medical assistants also help patients, fulfilling duties such as taking vital signs and sterilizing equipment. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide which is better for us, a medical assistant or a CNA.
DO YOU NEED A DEGREE TO BE A MEDICAL ASSISTANT?
One benefit of medical assisting is that you do not need a degree to be a medical assistant. While you can get an associate degree, you can also complete medical assistant training in as few as nine months and receive a certificate of completion.
WHAT IS A MEDICAL ASSISTANT?
A medical assistant is a vital part of a healthcare team. Medical assistants help support physicians, nurses and other health professionals in a clinical setting. Medical assistants may be tasked with both clinical and clerical work.
WHAT DOES A MEDICAL ASSISTANT DO?
Medical assistants typically do the following:4
  • Record patient history and personal information
  • Measure vital signs, such as blood pressure
  • Help physicians with patient examinations
  • Give patients injections or medications as directed by physicians and as permitted by state law
  • Schedule patient appointments
  • Prepare blood samples for laboratory tests
  • Enter patient information into medical records
WHERE CAN I TAKE THE CERTIFIED MEDICAL ASSISTANT EXAM?
The certified medical assistant exam (National Certified Medical Assistant Exam) is offered by the National Center for Competency Testing.* Visit the NCCT website for more information.6
DOES A MEDICAL ASSISTANT REQUIRE A DEGREE?
You do not need a degree to become a medical assistant. SJVC offers a certificate of completion for their Clinical Medical Assisting program. This program can be completed in as few as nine months.
WHAT CLASSES DO MEDICAL ASSISTANTS TAKE?
Some medical assistant courses you may take when attending SJVC include:
  • HCP 103 Foundational Office Skills
  • HCP 203 Medical Office Management
  • MAP 115 Pharmacology and Medication Administration
  • MAP 126 Clinical Applications
  • MAP 205 Front Office Procedures

Disclaimer

*SJVC prepares students to take appropriate certification and licensure exams related to their individual majors. The College does not guarantee students will successfully pass these exams or be certified or licensed as a result of completing the program.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical Assistants, on the Internet at www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm (visited September 13, 2021).  Data reflects a national projected percentage change in employment from 2020-2030 and may not reflect local economic conditions.
  2. BLS, visited 1-21-21, www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm#tab-6
  3. BLS, visited 1-21-21, www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes319092.htm
  4. www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm#tab-5
  5. www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm#tab-2
  6. www.prometric.com/test-takers/search/aama