Clinical Medical Assisting

Clinical medical assistants play a key role in healthcare by performing both clinical and administrative tasks, like taking vital signs, assisting with exams, scheduling appointments, and managing medical records. Depending on the setting, they may also draw blood, give injections, or support insurance processing. It’s a hands-on, fast-paced career that offers flexibility and room to grow.

High Desert Medical College’s Clinical Medical Assisting program can be completed in as few as 34 weeks! The morning/afternoon program is 34 weeks when completed at a normal pace, while the evening program is 42 weeks.

HDMC’s Clinical Medical Assisting program is offered in a hybrid online format. Students learn classroom theory online while completing hands-on training in labs on campus. All students also gain valuable experience through an externship.

Yes, HDMC offers flexible scheduling to fit different lifestyles. The Clinical Medical Assisting program can be completed in as few as 34 weeks with morning or afternoon classes, or 42 weeks with evening classes, making it easier for working students to attend. For our current class schedule, contact our admissions team.

Yes, all students complete a clinical externship as part of the program. This externship provides real-world, hands-on experience in a healthcare setting, allowing you to apply the skills you’ve learned in class and build confidence before entering the workforce.

Graduates will receive a Certificate of Completion (a Clinical Medical Assisting diploma) as well as CPR and First Aid certification from the Red Cross. Upon completion of the program, graduates will also be prepared to test for the nationally recognized MA certification.

In HDMC’s Clinical Medical Assisting Program, you’ll gain real-world skills. From taking vital signs and preparing patients for exams to managing medical records and insurance forms, you’ll gain the skills needed for both front- and back-office roles. Our hands-on training prepares you for the tasks employers are hiring for, so you can step confidently into your healthcare career. Our Career Services department also provides every student with a wide range of support services and job placement assistance.

Many of HDMC’s Clinical Medical Assisting graduates go to work in clinics, doctors’ offices, medical groups, surgery centers, and specialty clinics such as pediatrics, oncology, and neurology. Our Career Services department provides every student with a wide range of career support services and comprehensive job placement assistance.

No prior medical experience is required to enroll in our Clinical Medical Assisting program. The program is designed for beginners and provides the foundational knowledge and hands-on training needed to succeed in an entry-level medical assisting role.

For the most current tuition and fee information, please refer to the HDMC School Catalog or speak with an Admissions Representative.

Financial aid, grants, scholarships, and student loans are available for those who qualify, and our Financial Aid team can help you explore your options.

To enroll, you’ll need a high school diploma or a GED. Don’t have your diploma yet? No problem—HDMC offers two high school completion programs to help you get started.

Submit an interest form, stop by your closest campus, or call 888-633-4362 to get in contact with our admissions team.

High Desert Medical College offers continuous enrollment, with new Clinical Medical Assisting classes starting throughout the year, sometimes as often as every month. Check with our admissions team for the next start date.