Medical Assistant Program in Paramount, CA
11-Month* Medical Assistant Diploma: Clinical and Administrative Training
Healthcare Career College’s Medical Assistant program in Paramount, CA prepares you for both clinical and front-office work in 11 months.* You’ll learn vital signs, EKG, drawing blood, electronic health records and insurance billing, then complete an externship in a medical office. Students come from Long Beach, Downey, Compton and nearby cities.
Medical Assistant Program at a Glance
| Credential | Diploma, Clinical and Administrative Medical Assistant |
|---|---|
| Program length | 11 months* |
| What’s included | Medical Assistant, EKG Technician and Phlebotomy Technician training (3-in-1) |
| Hands-on training | Externship in a medical office |
| Certification | Exam prep included. HCC is an NCCT and NHA testing site, so you can test on campus. |
| Admission | Age 18+, background check, high school diploma or equivalent. No diploma? Earn your HiSET while you train through our partner schools. |
| Outcomes | On-time completion, job placement and exam pass rates for 2023 and 2024 are on the Student Outcomes page. |
| Financial aid | Available for those who qualify |
| Campus | Paramount campus, 8527 Alondra Blvd, Suite #128, Paramount, CA 90723, serving students from Long Beach, Downey, Compton, Lakewood, Bellflower, Norwalk, Cerritos and South Gate · Book a tour · Apply online · Admissions |
Medical assistants keep a doctor’s office running, from patient care in the exam room to scheduling and records at the front desk. Medical Assistants assist doctors with diagnostic and therapeutic procedures as well as provide patient education so patients will comply with doctors’ instructions.
Working alongside doctors and other health care professionals, Medical Assistants experience utmost job satisfaction by knowing that they make a difference in the lives of their patients by promoting a healthy lifestyle and maintaining their doctor visits regularly.
Medical assisting is a strong first step toward other programs such as Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
Healthcare Career College, located in Paramount, CA, serves medical assistant students in Long Beach, Compton, Lakewood, Downey, Bellflower, Norwalk, Cerritos, the greater Los Angeles area and north Orange County.
The best way to see if Healthcare Career College is the right fit for you is to attend an information session. You can book an information session to get a true feel for what it’s like to be a part of the Healthcare Career College community. Schedule an information session now or Get more info.
Become a Qualified Medical Assistant
During the Medical Assistant certification program, you will learn:
- Taking patient Vital Signs and Medical Histories
- Drawing Blood
- Preparing Exam Room for the Doctor
- Electrocardiography (EKG)
- Electronic Health Records and Office Skills
- Patient Medical Records and Insurance Billing
- Externship in a medical office
- ABC Adult School
- Five Keys Charter School
Who Is Eligible to Take the Medical Assistant Course?
The medical assistant certification program is open to all students who have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. The program is also available to those with some medical experience or who have worked in health care. Applicants must be 18 years of age and must pass a criminal background check.
Other requirements include the following:
- Possess a minimum level of English reading, writing, and speaking proficiency or be at an ESL intermediate low level
- Basic mathematics skills
- Complete the enrollment process, including an application and background check
- Must wear the required scrubs and lab coat at all times
Is a Career as a Medical Assistant Right for You? Take the Healthcare Career College "Medical Assistant Career Training Readiness Quiz"
This fun, online quiz takes 3-minutes to complete and you’ll get a personalized report. Identify your strengths and social style plus the training and positions you’re best suited for. Get Your Healthcare Career Training Readiness score now.
Diploma Features:
- 3-in-one program: includes Medical Assistant, EKG Tech, and Phlebotomy Tech
- Free certification Prep and Testing
- Free Phlebotomy Technician (CPT1) **
- Electronic Health Records Training
- Microsoft Office Training
- Professionalism and Career Success
- Externship included
- **To qualify for free Phlebotomy Technician, student must graduate from Medical Assistant program and provide a signed Letter of Phlebotomy Experience for California Certification from their employer to qualify under the on-the-job experience in phlebotomy
Job Outlook:
- Opportunities in both customer service (front office) and clinical (back office) positions
- Small and large organizations hiring
- Employment growth of 13% from 2025 to 2035 in the United States**
- Career growth potential
- Certification is accepted nationally
Benefits of the Clinical and Administrative Medical Assistant Program
Medical assistants are a vital force in the healthcare industry. They provide a wide range of medical services, from taking medical histories and vital signs to preparing exam rooms and filing medical records.
The job outlook for medical assistants is excellent, with students finding work opportunities in medical offices, clinics, hospitals, medical labs, and medical research facilities. Students who complete an accredited medical assistant program in Paramount, CA will:
- Obtain knowledge in medical office administration and medical terminology
- Develop skills in medical coding and medical billing
- Understand medical office technology
- Gain experience in medical assisting
- Begin the course without a degree (all you need is a high school diploma and training)
- Have the opportunity to take the medical assistant certification exam
- Gain access to competitive salaries
Medical Assistant Career Opportunities
Most Medical Assistants work in doctor’s offices. Medical Assistants work with general family practice doctors as well as specialists such as cardiologists, oncologists, podiatrists, dermatologists, pediatricians, and OB/GYN physicians.
Additionally, Medical Assistants have been employed with plastic surgeons, medi-spas, and weight loss centers. Others work in hospitals, outpatient care centers, schools, and other healthcare practitioners’ offices, including chiropractors and optometrists.
Our graduates have been hired by:
- Kaiser Permanente
- Molina Healthcare
- Altamed
- Cedars-Sinai
- USC
- Harbor-UCLA
- And more!
Median Pay: $21.97/hour**
View Medical Assistant job postings in Paramount, CA on Indeed.com
Nationally Recognized Medical Assistant Certification
Healthcare Career College is approved by NCCT and NHA as an official testing site for Certification Exams. As part of the program, we prepare you for the Medical Assistant and the Electronic Health Records Certification Exams. You can take the exams right here on campus. Additionally, we offer Phlebotomy Technician for FREE with our Medical Assistant program***.
Certification shows potential employers that you have the skills and level of knowledge to be an asset to the industry.
Why Choose Healthcare Career College for Medical Assistant Classes?
Healthcare Career College in Paramount, near Los Angeles, offers a comprehensive program to help you build the skills and knowledge to become a successful medical assistant.
With the guidance of experienced instructors and our dedicated staff, you can explore different medical settings and gain practical experience in various areas. This allows you to pursue a career in a specialty you’re most passionate about. You will also gain access to the following:
- State-of-the-art facilities with the latest medical equipment
- Small class sizes and individual attention
- Externship opportunities with local medical offices and laboratories
- Career Services support to secure your first job upon graduation
- Flexible schedules
- Financial aid and scholarship opportunities
Explore Other Healthcare Career Training Opportunities at Healthcare Career College
Medical Billing and Coding
Dental Assistant
Physical Therapy Aide
Massage Therapy
Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Phlebotomy Technician
Patient Care Technician
Nurse Assistant
Healthcare Management Associate Degree
Is a Rewarding Career in Medical Assisting Right for You? Get More Info…
If you’re interested in learning more about careers in Medical Assisting and exploring whether Healthcare Career College is right for you, fill out the form on this page to receive more information.
For immediate questions, call (562) 804-1239
*Program length when completed in normal time.
**Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
***To qualify for free Phlebotomy Technician, student must graduate from Medical Assistant program and provide a signed Letter of Phlebotomy Experience for California Certification from their employer to qualify under the on-the-job experience in phlebotomy option.
What does a medical assistant do?
Medical assistants perform both clinical and administrative duties in the modern healthcare system. Clinical tasks include taking patient histories, measuring vital signs, preparing patients for exams, drawing blood, and administering medications. Administrative duties include scheduling, billing, and managing medical records.
How long does it take to become a medical assistant?
Medical assistant diploma or certificate programs typically take 9 to 12 months. Associate degree programs take approximately 2 years. Both pathways prepare graduates to sit for national certification exams.
What certification do medical assistants need?
The most widely recognized certifications are the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) offered by AAMA and the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) offered by AMT. Although California does not mandate certification, most employers strongly prefer certified candidates.
How much do medical assistants earn in California?
The national median wage for medical assistants was $45,690 per year ($21.97 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay in California varies by employer, setting, experience and certification.
What is the job growth outlook for medical assistants?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of medical assistants to grow 13% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations, with about 109,700 openings each year. Growth in outpatient care clinics and physician offices is a major driver of demand.
What is the difference between a medical assistant and a medical secretary?
A medical secretary handles only administrative tasks like scheduling, billing, and record-keeping. A medical assistant is cross-trained in both clinical and administrative functions, making the role far more versatile and in-demand in modern healthcare settings.
Can being a medical assistant lead to other healthcare careers?
Yes. Medical assisting is often used as a foundation to advance into nursing, health information management, surgical technology, or diagnostic sonography. Many healthcare career colleges, including HCC, offer it as a prerequisite pathway to advanced programs.