Medical Assisting Essentials

The Medical Assisting Essentials Certificate of Achievement introduces high school students to foundational knowledge and hands-on skills essential for entry-level roles in the healthcare field. This program is designed as an early college and career pathway that prepares students for continued study in allied health, medical assisting, and public health programs.

Students will learn the basics of medical terminology, patient care, medical office procedures, and emergency response. The certificate emphasizes both administrative and clinical competencies, including insurance processing, communication skills, infection control, and first aid. All courses are aligned with college-level standards and provide a strong foundation for postsecondary education or workforce entry.

This certificate is ideal for students interested in careers such as medical assistant, patient care technician, or other entry-level health support roles. Courses are CSU transferable where applicable, and credits earned can be applied toward WLAC’s full Medical Assisting and Health Sciences programs.

30-45 students per semester

Rationale and Program Objectives:

The Medical Assisting Essentials program is designed to introduce high school students to foundational skills and knowledge required in entry-level medical office and clinical support roles. As the healthcare industry continues to grow rapidly, there is a pressing need to develop early career pathways that prepare

students for high-demand, high-skill occupations. This program aligns with California's Health Science and

Medical Technology CTE standards and provides stackable, credit-bearing coursework that articulates with postsecondary health programs at West Los Angeles College.

By exposing students to industry-relevant training while in high school, the program fosters early college credit attainment, builds a skilled healthcare workforce pipeline, and increases the employability of students in medical office settings. Additionally, it prepares students for further study in allied health fields such as medical assisting, nursing, and public health.

Master Planning:

The Medical Assisting Essentials program is strategically aligned with West Los Angeles College’s mission to provide a transformative, inclusive, and equitable educational experience that prepares students for transfer, employment, and lifelong learning. This program also supports the college’s commitment to

workforce development and expanding dual enrollment opportunities for high school students in underserved communities.

The Medical Assisting Essentials Certificate of Achievement is a short-term, stackable credential designed specifically for high school students participating in dual enrollment. The program introduces students to foundational knowledge and entry-level skills needed for administrative roles in medical office settings, while also providing exposure to real-world work environments through a cooperative work experience component.

To earn the certificate, students must complete all of the following courses, totaling 11 units, with a grade of “C” or better:

• ALD HTH 021 – Basic Life Support for the Healthcare Provider (0.5 units):
  Provides CPR training in accordance with the American Heart Association, preparing students to respond to medical emergencies across age groups in healthcare settings.

• ALD HTH 033 – Medical Terminology (3 units):
  Covers the structure and use of medical language, enabling students to read, write, and communicate effectively using clinical terminology.

• HLTH OCC 052 – Medical Office Procedure I (4 units):
  Introduces students to administrative functions in a medical office, including appointment scheduling, telephone etiquette, filing systems, and patient intake procedures.

• HLTH OCC 061 – Medical Insurance (3 units):
  Focuses on insurance billing and coding procedures, patient financial records, claims processing, and the use of industry-standard software systems.

• COOP ED 095 – Cooperative Work Experience Education (0.5 units):
  Allows students to apply learned skills in a supervised, real-world setting, helping them gain valuable hands-on experience in a healthcare environment.

Program Highlights

• Career Exposure: Students are introduced to in-demand healthcare careers while still in high school, giving them a head start in building career awareness and professionalism.

• Work-Based Learning: Through Cooperative Work Experience, students apply classroom learning in real job settings, reinforcing their skills and boosting employability.

• Seamless Transition: Coursework is credit-bearing and articulates directly into WLAC’s Medical Assisting and Allied Health programs, supporting continued academic and career advancement.

• Industry-Aligned: The certificate prepares students for entry-level non-clinical positions and is aligned with healthcare administrative competencies expected by employers.

This certificate reflects West Los Angeles College’s commitment to expanding dual enrollment, closing equity gaps, and preparing a future-ready health workforce through intentional K-12 partnerships.

1. Medical Asst - Admin
2. Medical Asst - Clinical
3. Medical Asst - Fundamentals

1. Cerritos College
2. East Los Angeles College
3. Glendale Community College
4. Long Beach City College
5. Los Angeles Harbor College
6. Pasadena City College
7. Santa Monica College

90-120 per year

N/A