Program Overview

The goal of the West Los Angeles College Medical Assisting Program is to develop competent entry level Medical Assistants competent in the cognitive, affective and psychomotor learning domains. WLAC and the Community Advisory Committee further desire for all students to possess job ready skills and be eligible for employment.

In this program, students will learn to:

• Perform medical office administrative tasks including answering telephones, patient scheduling, and billing insurance companies for services.
• Perform approved clinical techniques including obtaining vital signs, administering medications, performing 12 leads EKG, interpreting basic EKG, performing injections such as intramuscular, subcutaneous and intradermal and collecting blood for testing (Phlebotomy / Venipuncture).
• Perform Medical / Surgical Asepsis.
• Follow HIPAA guidelines and regulations.
• Perform medical office laboratory procedures.

All of the administrative and clinical procedures will be performed hands-on, on a role-play basis.
In addition, the students will be completing a practicum and clinical externship hours as assigned clinics. The California Employment Development Department (EDD) projects the job market for Medical Assistants in Los Angeles County to increase 29.2 percent until 2018, with 876 average annual openings. EDD reports the median wage for Medical Assistants in Los Angeles County in 2010 was $29,962 annually and $14.41 hourly. In Los Angeles County, there are 25,121 facilities that employ medical assistants, medical secretaries, and related job titles, representing 92.80 percent of total employment for occupations in the state of California.

West Los Angeles College recently completed the "Medical Assistant for the New Healthcare Paradigm Preparation Program (MAPP)", funded by the California Community College Responsive Training Fund (RFA 10-332). The program and student success was excellent and we wanted to share the outcomes with you. For more information on this Medical Assistant Program at West, please contact Dr. Castillo, Allied Health Coordinator: @email (310)287-7226.

Program outcomes of this project included:

• Matriculation of 30 students into the program
• A completion rate of 94% (27 of 30 students)
• The improvement of career pathways was made by offering a credit by examination to reflect a student’s prior learning and work experience. Approximately 15% (6 students) successfully passed these examinations.
• Of the 27 students completing the program, 91% obtained employment.
• Student evaluations of the instructor and program were strong.
• Employers hiring student include the Los Angeles Department of Health Services, Saint John’s Child
• Family Clinic, St. Vincent Clinic, and Private Medical Practices.

Program Schedule

The current program is offered on a part-time basis. Classes meet from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm Monday, Tuesday and Thursdays, and Saturdays from 8:00am to 5:00 pm (NO Sundays). The program is one year in length.