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Submitter's Information
Bobbi Mahfood
Dean of Educational Services
Central/Mother Lode
Coalinga College
CTE Dean
Bobbi Mahfood
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Program Details
Medical Assisting
New Program
Medical Assisting (120800)
08/03/26
To apply to the Medical Assisting Program, you will need the following entrance skills and have completed the necessary prerequisites
- College-level reading and writing in English
- Computer literacy skills including Excel, Microsoft Office, Google Docs, and Outlook
- Certification -CPR for Health Care Provider from the American Heart Association
- HS 080 - Introduction to Medical Professional
- HS005 or HS088- Medical Terminology
- BUS 028- Business Communication
Enrollment Projections
The Medical Assistant Training Certificate of Completion will operate two cohorts annually to maximize accessibility and align with workforce needs:
- Fall Cohort (Administrative Medical Assistant Training): The program anticipates enrolling 20 students per Fall semester. This cohort will focus on administrative skills, including medical billing, coding, patient scheduling, and electronic health record management. The Fall cohort is designed to attract a larger group of students, as these skills provide immediate employability in healthcare settings, particularly in rural health clinics and community-based facilities in the Firebaugh/Mendota area.
- Spring Cohort (Clinical Medical Assistant Training): The program projects enrolling 10 students per Spring semester. This smaller cohort will focus on clinical skills, such as taking vital signs, assisting with medical examinations, administering injections, and performing basic laboratory procedures. The reduced cohort size accounts for students who may choose to enter the workforce after completing the administrative training and gaining work experience, as well as the need for more intensive, hands-on clinical instruction.
Completer Projections
The program anticipates varying completion rates due to its modular structure, which allows students to enter the workforce after completing the administrative training component, with some continuing to complete the full certificate:
- Fall Cohort (Administrative Training): Of the 20 students enrolled in the Fall cohort, an estimated 80% (16 students) are expected to complete the administrative medical assistant training. This high completion rate reflects the program’s accessibility, short duration (approximately 90 instructional hours), and immediate employability. Some students may secure employment in administrative roles at rural health clinics, physician offices, or community-based healthcare facilities after completing this component and gaining relevant work experience, such as through internships or part-time positions. The program’s design emphasizes that students are employable after administrative training, as these skills meet the operational needs of local healthcare providers.
- Spring Cohort (Clinical Training and Full Certificate): Of the 10 students enrolled in the Spring cohort, an estimated 70% (7 students) are expected to complete the clinical medical assistant training and earn the full Medical Assistant Training Certificate of Completion. The slightly lower completion rate accounts for the more intensive nature of clinical training and potential attrition due to employment opportunities after the administrative component. Students who complete both the administrative and clinical components (approximately 180 total instructional hours) will be prepared for industry-recognized certifications, such as the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) or Registered Medical Assistant (RMA), enhancing their employability and earning potential.
Regional Labor Market Analysis
The enrollment and completer projections are informed by regional labor market data specific to the Firebaugh/Mendota area and broader California trends. The BLS reports that California employs more medical assistants than any other state, with 110,280 medical assistants in 2024, and a median annual wage of $50,422 in 2025, significantly higher than the national average of $44,200. This reflects California’s high demand for healthcare professionals and the state’s high cost of living, which drives competitive wages. In rural areas like Firebaugh/Mendota, healthcare facilities, including state- and federally-funded rural health clinics, face chronic staffing shortages, making the training of local residents critical to meeting community healthcare needs.
The California Employment Development Department (EDD) projects steady growth in medical assistant positions, particularly in rural and underserved regions, driven by an aging population and increased demand for preventive care. Local healthcare providers in the Firebaugh/Mendota area have expressed a need for medical assistants with both administrative and clinical skills to support operations in clinics serving diverse, underserved populations. The program’s modular structure, with employability after the administrative component, aligns with employer preferences for flexible, trained staff who can fill immediate staffing gaps while offering pathways for further skill development.
Employability Prior to Certificate Completion
A key strength of the Medical Assistant Training Certificate of Completion is its modular design, which allows students to become employable after completing the administrative training in the Fall semester and gaining relevant work experience. Administrative skills, such as medical billing, coding, and patient scheduling, are in high demand in physician offices (57% of medical assistant employment), outpatient care centers (10%), and hospitals (15%), according to BLS data. Students who complete the administrative component and participate in internships or part-time work can secure entry-level positions as administrative medical assistants, earning competitive wages (e.g., a median of $50,425 annually in the Los Angeles area, with similar trends in rural regions adjusted for cost of living).
Program Proposal Attributes
- Certificate of Achievement: 16 or greater semester (or 24 or greater quarter) units (C)
The Medical Assistant Training Certificate of Completion is designed to address the critical workforce preparation needs in the Firebaugh/Mendota/Coalinga area, where there is a demonstrated and growing demand for skilled healthcare professionals in state- and federally-funded rural health clinics and other community-based healthcare settings. This program aligns with the local purpose of increasing access to healthcare services by equipping community members with the skills and knowledge required to serve as administrative and clinical medical assistants, thereby directly supporting the healthcare needs of the local population. Program Goals Workforce Preparation: The primary goal of the Medical Assistant Training Certificate of Completion is to prepare students for immediate entry into the healthcare workforce as competent medical assistants. The program focuses on developing both administrative and clinical skills to meet the operational and patient care demands of rural health clinics and community-based healthcare facilities in the Firebaugh/Mendota/Coalinga region. Addressing Local Demand: The program responds to the increased demand for trained medical assistants in the Firebaugh/Mendota/Coalinga area, where access to healthcare is limited due to geographic and socioeconomic barriers. By training local residents, the program aims to build a sustainable workforce that enhances the capacity of rural health clinics to deliver quality care. Community Health Improvement: By preparing students to work in state- and federally-funded rural health clinics and other community-based settings, the program contributes to improving healthcare access and outcomes for underserved populations in the Firebaugh/Mendota/Coalinga area, addressing disparities in healthcare delivery. Support Career Pathways: Provide students with a clear pathway to employment through partnerships with local healthcare providers, internships, and job placement assistance, ensuring graduates are integrated into the local workforce and contribute to long-term community health initiatives.
Course Units and Hours
19
n/a
n/a
Course Report
Medical Assisting Certificate of Completion (Total 19)
| Course | Title | Units | Year/Semester (Y1 or S1) |
|---|---|---|---|
| HS082 | Medical Assisting Administrative | 8 | S1 |
| HS086X | Medical Assisting Externship | 1-2 | S1 |
| HS084 | Medical Assisting Clinical | 8 | S2 |
| HS086X | Medical Assisting Externship | 1-2 | S2 |
Supporting Documents
Central/Mother Lode Regional Questions
Submission Details
09/12/25 - 07:45 AM
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