Medical Assistant Schools in San Diego
In a diverse, highly-populated state like California, health care is extremely important. Illness spreads quickly and patients need to be able to get timely health care. If you become a medical assistant, you can contribute to the culture of quality in this state’s health care system. Medical assistants in San Diego may work alongside doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and other health care professionals. Learning how to take care of patients, process medical paperwork, and communicate in a medical setting can help you become a contributing member of a health care team. You can get more information about the medical assistant programs San Diego has to offer by contacting the Med Assisting schools directly from our page for program materials.
As you start learning about medical assistant schools, San Diego educational institutions may have many options for you to consider. This city has plenty of medical assistant schools, so you can choose one with a schedule, curriculum, and teaching style that matches your needs. Technical and community colleges are the most common locations for MA programs.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are over 7,000 medical assistants in the San Diego area, earning an average income of $37,190 per year (BLS, 2016). As you try to predict your medical assistant salary, San Diego employers may look at education level, experience, and certification.
You may be able to look forward to an encouraging job outlook after you complete your training. A 22 percent increase in job openings is expected between 2010 and 2020, according to O*Net. This job growth could create over 3,000 new jobs each year in California (O*Net).
After you become a medical assistant, San Diego may have many employment opportunities for you. Some of the major employers in this city include AMN Healthcare, Glenbrook Health Center, and Fresenius Medical Care.
Transportation and Networking in San Diego
San Diego is one of the largest cities in the United States, which is why it has a very large medical assisting community. The California Medical Assistants Association is one of the main medical assisting organizations in this state. They advocate for medical assistants on a legislative level, offer continuing education opportunities, and run a scientific journal. Another excellent organization is the California Society of Medical Assistants.
One of the biggest ways to save money on your educational expenses is using public transit. The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System has many student pass options to help you save money. They offer a College Monthly Pass and a Semester Pass that allow you unlimited access to public transit.
To get as much financial aid as possible, begin applying for scholarships early and often. The Allied Healthcare Scholarship is offered by the Health Professions Education Foundation. This foundation awards numerous other scholarships. You may be able to win a scholarship from the Health Care Communicators of San Diego County.
Getting a Medical Assistant Degree
Getting a thorough education in the human body, disease, and medical skills is a huge part of becoming a successful medical assistant. When choosing medical assistant programs, San Diego schools may offer you the opportunity to earn an Associate’s degree, diploma, or certificate. It’s important to evaluate each program’s curriculum to choose a school that meets your needs and the expectations of local employers.
Practical experience is at the core of each medical assisting program in San Diego. Starting in your first semester, you’ll learn how to draw blood, perform patient exams, get a patient’s medical history, and assist in other procedures. You may practice these skills intensively in a local health care facility. At the end of your education, you may be expected to combine all of these skills during an externship. Internships and externships are often completed at nursing homes and hospitals.
If you’re interested in optional medical assistant certification, San Diego employers may take a greater interest in you. Certification, which is offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants, demonstrates your skills in patient care, your knowledge of medical ethics, and your understanding of basic medical concepts.
If you are ready to become a medical assistant, San Diego is a great place to do it. You can find several schools offering different programs, and request information directly from our site to learn more.
Salary numbers provided are from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.