Where do medical assistants work?

Medical assistants work alongside physicians, mainly in outpatient or ambulatory care facilities, such as medical offices and clinics. The duties of the medical assistant vary from office to office, depending on office location, size, and specialty.  Under the direction of the physician or other licensed health care professional’s medical assistants may work in the front office, back office or both.

Medical assistants are unlicensed, multi-skilled healthcare workers.  Medical assistants may become certified or registered through examinations offered at the state or national level.

Is the medical assistant licensed by the state of California? 
No, Medical assisting is not typically a state-licensed/certified profession.  Medical assistants may become certified or registered through examinations offered at the State or national level.  The most widely recognized national certification for medical assistants is the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).

What can I expect and how can I succeed in the medical assisting program at Cuesta College?

  • Attendance is extremely important due to the fast-paced nature of the program.
  • Adequate study time is important.  Reading assignments may include 1 to 4 chapters per week.
  • Students need proficient math skills to calculate medication dosages.  The following web site will be helpful: www.math.com
  • Students will learn to give injections and collect blood specimens first by practicing on mannequins and then on each other.  Each student will perform a minimum of 30 injections and 20 blood collection procedures during the course.