Welcome to the Palomar College Medical Assisting Home Page!
 

Class starts each semester!  No special application required! No waiting-lists! Low cost...$20 per unit for Calif. residents!
 

MEDICAL ASSISTING PROGRAMS

We are pleased that you are considering our program because we believe we can offer a high quality-training program at a very low cost to the student. The U.S. Bureau of Labor forecasts that the need for medical assistants will increase dramatically from now through the year 2010 which means the opportunity for employment is excellent! A student may complete the courses for a certificate (clinical or administrative) in approximately one calendar year (full-time) or may take as long as necessary as a part-time student. Many students wish to acquire skills in both front back office and complete the courses for both certificates (Administrative and Clinical). In addition to working in the physician's office, the medical assistant may also function in other health-care related employment, such as a pharmacy aide, hospital admissions clerk, medical transcriptionist, laboratory assistant, ECG technician, medical insurance specialist, receptionist, medical supplies representative, and others.

Job Outlook: Excellent. The U.S. Department of Labor reports medical assisting to be the second largest growing occupation.  The earnings of medical assistants vary, depending on experience, skill level, and location.  Median annual earnings of medical assistants were $27,000 in 2006. 

Types of Medical Assistants:

 

Clinical: MA's assist the doctors and patients in physician's offices, clinics, outpatient departments of hospitals, and as assistants in laboratories or other health service areas.

 

Administrative: MA's also complete paperwork in physician offices, clinics, insurance companies, and in the outpatient areas of the hospital (such as admitting clerks, billing agents, transcriptionists).

 

Palomar College has two Medical Assisting Certificates to choose from, the Clinical (back office) and the Administrative (front office). Please see the list of requirements and suggested sequence of courses for each certificate on the Medical Assisting Certificate information link below.
 


Frequently Asked Questions

Medical Assisting Essentials Approximate Costs
 

Medical Assisting Certificate

 

Photo Gallery

 

FOR INFORMATION :

 

Our offices are located at the Palomar College Escondido Educational Center.
1951 E. Valley Parkway
Escondido, CA 92027

 

Gabriela Tayem, CCMA-C
Medical Assisting Skills Evaluator
gtayem@palomar.edu
(760) 744-1150 ext.8169

 

Professor Andrea Taupier, RN, CCMA-C
ataupier@palomar.edu

(760) 744-1150 ext. 8133


 

Palomar College Home Page

 

Health Careers Page

 MNHS Division