Medical Assistant
Train at Summit College — Santa Ana Campus — 800 hours, 36 weeks, with a 160-hour externship.
Build both front-office (administrative) and back-office (clinical) skills to start as an entry-level Medical Assistant in clinics, doctors' offices, and hospitals — with a 4-week, 160-hour externship for real hands-on experience.
What Is a Medical Assistant?
The Medical Assistant program at Summit College is built to give you the foundational knowledge and hands-on skills required to step into an entry-level Medical Assistant role in a real healthcare setting.
The program covers both sides of the job: the front office, where you'll handle scheduling, registration, insurance billing, and EMR workflows; and the back office, where you'll perform vital signs, ECGs, venipuncture, injections, patient prep, and assist with minor procedures.
A 4-week, 160-hour externship is built into the program so you graduate with real, on-site clinical experience.
Medical Assistants work alongside physicians, nurses, and front-office staff in clinics, hospitals, and outpatient practices. The role blends direct patient interaction with the operational backbone of a medical office — making it one of the fastest, most flexible entries into healthcare.
Strong demand for medical assistants across outpatient and primary care settings
Job Growth Outlook
800 hours · 36 weeks · 160-hour externship
Training Duration
How Medical Assistant Training Is Delivered
Format
Residential — on-ground lecture (didactic) and lab skills, with required externship. Teacher/Student Ratio 1:30 Lecture / 1:15 Lab.
Typical Timeline
36 weeks of classes + 4 weeks externship (800 total instructional clock hours)
Flexibility
Students must be in good academic standing (GPA 2.0+) and attendance (80%+) before starting externship.
Learning Flow
Externship of 160 hours (40 hours/week for 4 weeks) at an affiliated site. Career Development module covers résumé prep, interview techniques, and job search strategy.
Coaching Support
What You'll Learn in Medical Assistant Training
Core Skills
The foundational skills you'll build in this program.
- OB/GYN, Reproductive System & Pediatrics (MA3510.1)
- The Medical Assistant / Ethics & Law (MA3510.2)
- Cardiovascular / ECG (MA3520.1)
- Infection Control / Minor Surgery (MA3520.2)
- Musculoskeletal System / Skin (MA3530.1)
- Basic Pharmacology / Nutrition (MA3530.2)
- Gerontology / Vital Signs & CPE (MA3540.1)
- Emergency Procedures / CPR (MA3540.2)
- Medical Insurance Billing (MA3550.1)
- Medical Assistant as Office Manager / EMR (MA3550.2)
- Career Development (CD0110)
- 160-hour Externship (MA3500)
Tools & Technology
Practical tools and frameworks used in the field.
- Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systems
- ECG machines and 12-lead procedures
- Venipuncture and phlebotomy equipment
- Vital signs monitoring equipment
- Patient scheduling and insurance billing tools
- CPR / BLS equipment
Safety & Compliance
Safety protocols and compliance requirements.
- Infection control and minor surgery protocols
- HIPAA and patient privacy
- Body mechanics and patient transfer
- SOAP note documentation
- HIT and meaningful-use standards for EMR
- Professional ethics and legal responsibilities
Is Medical Assistant Training Right For You?
This program is designed for motivated learners who want a structured path into a career in summit college — santa ana campus.
This Program Is For You If...
- You want a fast, structured entry into healthcare
- You want both clinical AND administrative skills
- You're a career switcher who prefers in-person, hands-on training
- You want a built-in externship with a real clinical site
- You're targeting roles in clinics, physician offices, or hospital outpatient settings
Consider Other Options If...
- You want a fully online, self-paced program
- You only want cardiac diagnostics (consider EKG Technician)
- You only want phlebotomy-focused training
- You're not able to commit to a 36-week on-ground schedule plus a 4-week externship
Certifications for Medical Assistant
This program prepares you for nationally recognized certifications that employers value.
Diploma — Medical Assistant
Summit College
Awarded upon completion of all academic, externship, attendance, and financial requirements.
Focus: Comprehensive coverage of administrative and clinical Medical Assistant competencies
Graduates earn a Summit College Diploma and complete a 160-hour externship at an affiliated clinical site.
* National certification (CCMA, CMA, RMA) is offered through third-party organizations and is not included in tuition.
Career Outlook
Entry-Level Roles
- Medical Assistant
- Clinical Medical Assistant
- Medical Office Assistant
- Medical Secretary
- Physician Office Specialist
- EKG Technician (entry-level)
- Medical Receptionist
Advancement Path
Advance to Lead Medical Assistant, specialty clinic roles (cardiology, pediatrics, OB/GYN), Office Manager, or bridge into LPN/RN, Medical Billing & Coding, or Healthcare Administration programs.
Career Progression
Medical Assistant is one of the most flexible launchpads into healthcare — many graduates use it as a stepping stone into nursing, billing & coding, or specialty allied health roles.
Tuition & Investment
What's Included
Medical Assistant Training
- 260 lecture / 380 lab / 160 externship hours (800 total)
- 10 clinical & administrative modules + Career Development
- 1:30 Lecture / 1:15 Lab teacher-to-student ratio
- On-ground residential delivery
- 160-hour externship at an affiliated clinical site
- Summit College Diploma upon completion
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Train at Summit College — Santa Ana Campus
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