Clinical Medical Assistant

The Bakersfield College Medical Assisting Certificate Program prepares students for rewarding careers as medical assistants in healthcare settings such as clinics, and physician offices and urgent care facilities. This program combines classroom instruction with hands-on clinical training to build proficiency in patient care, administrative tasks, and essential medical procedures. Students gain skills in vital sign measurement, infection control, laboratory testing, EKG administration, and electronic health record management. Upon completion, students will be eligible to take the Medical Assistant examination to earn the designation of Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) and or the National Health Career Association (NHA) to become a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant. The 1-year program requires a full-time commitment and will involve travel to clinical sites. Graduates can anticipate strong job prospects in a variety of healthcare environments.

The program will have forty eight enrolled students per year. 

Bakersfield College’s mission is to provide opportunities for students from diverse economic, cultural, and educational backgrounds to attain Associate and Baccalaureate degrees and certificates, workplace skills, and preparation for transfer. The college’s rigorous and supportive learning environment promotes equity and fosters students’ abilities to think critically, communicate effectively, and demonstrate competencies and skills to engage productively in their communities and the world.
A medical assistant program aligns with this mission by providing a specialized curriculum that prepares students for entry level careers in healthcare. The program would offer a job skills certificate, equipping students with the necessary workplace skills. 
In terms of curriculum, the program would include introduction to anatomy and physiology and medical terminology, in addition to the skills necessary for the specific role of a medical assistant. This foundation would allow the student to come back to Bakersfield College and pursue additional training in one of the other allied health professions if desired. 
The program would also align with Bakersfield College’s Educational Master Plan, which emphasizes the importance of preparing students for the evolving workforce. Given the increasing demand for healthcare professionals, including medical assistants, the program would contribute to meeting this need.
In the broader context of higher education in California, the state’s system includes the University of California (UC), the California State University (CSU), and the California Community Colleges. Each of these segments offers a variety of programs to meet the diverse needs of the state’s student population. A Medical Assistants program at Bakersfield College would add to this diversity, providing another pathway for students interested in healthcare careers.
Moreover, the program would support the state’s goals of increasing graduation rates, eliminating equity gaps, and making the higher education system easier to navigate for students. By offering a specialized program in a high-demand field, Bakersfield College would be contributing to these objectives and helping to shape the future of higher education in California

The development of a Medical Assisting Associate Degree Program is essential to meet the rising demand for skilled medical assistants in healthcare. As the aging population increases, so does the need for professionals trained in both clinical and administrative support to improve care efficiency. This program will equip students with industry-standard skills, preparing them for national certification and making them valuable assets to healthcare providers. By offering comprehensive training, the program addresses a local skills gap and enhances employability, supporting the healthcare system with qualified, capable graduates.

Term 1 (7 units)
BIOLB18   Human Anatomy and Physiology (4 units)
MEDSB37 Medical Terminology (3 Units)


Term 2 ( 10 Units)
MEDS B56 Clinical Medical Assistant 1  (4 units)
MEDS B57 Clinical Medical Assistant 2 (2 units)
MEDS B58 Clinical Medical Assistant Skills Learning Lab (1 units)
MEDS B59 Clinical medical Assistant Externship (3 units)