Medical Assistant Certification in California – CA

By an allied health world contributing writer
Published: January 26th, 2010

California is one of the world’s largest economies, boasting some of the biggest and most well known cities. Coined as the “land of opportunity,” California is a hot spot for growth and innovative ideas. People have, for decades, been drawn to this region by the thousands and therefore California is a heavily populated state with a variety of exciting career opportunities. Industries abound from technology to theater but the fastest growing marketplace for job hunters is within the medical institutions of the state. The medical community in California is in need of qualified, trained and well-educated professionals to meet the demands of an ever-growing and aging population. Those looking to become a medical assistant will have a wealth of opportunity, as there are several medical assistant schools within California to choose from. According to the California Employment Development Department, the need for certified medical assistants is projected to increase by 31% through 2016. The key in meeting this huge demand is to prepare now for a rewarding and fast-paced career as a medical assistant.

Certification for California’s Medical Assistants

California is unique in terms of the medical assisting career. In many states, including California, certification is not required in order to work in this profession. However, California has taken a more comprehensive approach through legislation to ensure that certified medical assistants have a very defined role within medical practices. According to the Medical Board of California the scope of practice for medical assistants, as unlicensed professionals working under the direct supervision of a physician, include performing basic clerical, administrative and technical support services. As a California resident you will have the ability to gain a CCMA or California Certified Medical Assistant designation. This state specific certification denotes completion of a supervised training program and experience in the specific technical support services MAs in this state are authorized to perform.

Current News

The Center for Health Professions, based in San Francisco California is dedicated to being a leader in research of the health industry in an effort to transform and improve the health care work force. In July 2009 this organization released an important study on the use of certified medical assistants within licensed community clinics throughout California. The goal of the research was to find the importance that certified medical assistants have to these clinics, which are in place to serve the most at-risk and lowest-income populations within California. The research showed an increasing use of certified medical assistants within these clinics and backs up the idea that certified medical assistants are undeniably an important resource to the medical community, at large.

Through campus based and online programs, aspiring medical assistants in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose and San Francisco, California may be able to prepare themselves for the possibility of employment in some of the largest hospitals and healthcare facilities in the state including Laguna Honda Hospital, Community Regional Medical Center, L.A. County & USC Medical Center, and Huntington Hospital.

Professional Associations

California Medical Assistants Association is an organization striving to enhance the level of professionalism within the medical assisting career field. The group can be a resource to certified medical assistants in the state for the purposes of continuing education and overall career development for these professionals.

CMAA

PO Box 

11715 Santa Rosa, CA

California Society of Medical Assistants is the state organization affiliated with the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), which is the national certifying board for nationally certified medical assistants.