MA Program Details

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PREREQUISITES / MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

To apply you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age by the time the program starts.
• Have earned a high school diploma or equivalent by the time the program starts.
• Pass a basic skills assessment (reading and math).
• Pass a drug screening and fingerprinting.
• It is highly recommended but not required that applicants complete a Medical Terminology class at a local community college prior to the program start or enroll in one concurrently.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

The Medical Assistant Program prepares and qualifies a student for certification in the full scope of practice as a Medical Assistant. To prepare for certification status, experience is required, therefore externships are arranged with local doctors' offices or clinics (February through May).

Students who successfully complete the program will receive a Certificate of Completion and be able to sit for the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) Certified Medical Assistant exam. This is an independent, third-party organization that has certified over 350,000 medical professionals since 1989.

Students who attend the LCOE program are well-prepared, with a first-time certification test passing rate that's higher than average.

WHY ENROLL IN THE LCOE MEDICAL ASSISTANT PROGRAM?

• It’s the only program of its kind in Lake County, with a long history of graduating students who go on to become sought after and successful Medical Assistants.
• The intensive program format enables students to complete the program in nine months.
• Skilled instructors, who are Registered Nurses and License Vocational Nurses, with years of experience in the health care industry and the classroom, provide the program’s 500 hours of classroom instruction.
• The program’s 180-hour medical externship enables students to work in medical offices and clinics through Lake County. Externship duties may include administrative tasks such as answering phones, greeting patients, scheduling appointments, assisting with billing, and more. Clinical tasks may include preparing lab specimens, sterilizing instruments, and removing sutures. These hands-on learning experiences lead to greater understanding of program content, as well as potential job opportunities upon program completion.

CLASS TIMES

The program runs part-time between September and January. Class is held between 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

The program runs full-time between February and May. Class is held between 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM every Tuesday and every Thursday. Externships in a medical office or clinic will be 8 hours during business hours on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

CLASS LOCATION

The Lake County Office of Education (LCOE), Hance Education Center located at 1510 Argonaut Road, Lakeport, CA 95453 

PROGRAM FEE

Starting in 2023-24, the program fee is $4,550, which includes classroom instruction, textbooks, CPR certification, blood pressure cuff, stethoscope, fingerprinting, drug screening, national certification exam, and ID badge and lanyard.

An initial $150 non-refundable deposit for fingerprinting and drug screening will be due for all accepted program participants. The remaining balance of $4,400 will be due prior to the program’s start.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Financial assistance is available! Students in LCOE’s Medical Training Programs receive financial assistance from CalWorks, California Human Development, CareerPoint Lake, Department of Rehabilitation, Rocky Point Care Center, Scotts Valley Tribal TANF, employers in the medical field, and more.

ADDITIONAL STUDENT EXPENSES, NOT COVERED BY THE PROGRAM FEE, WILL INCLUDE: 

1. Physical Exam
2. Tuberculosis Test (2)
3. Vaccinations (TDaP / MMR / HepB / Varicella / Flu Shot / COVID-19*)
4. Scrubs (dark / navy blue)
5. Black or White Closed Toe Shoes
6. Watch with Second Hand
7. Black Fine Tipped Pens / Highlighters / Pencil
8. Binder
9. Paper/Cardstock/Poster board

RETURN TO THE MEDICAL ASSISTANT PAGE.