Medical Assistant Program in Pasadena, CA
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Starting a healthcare career is more achievable than most people think. If you’re looking for a medical assistant program in Pasadena, CA, CALRegional offers an affordable, fast-track option administered in partnership with Twilight Adult School. You can complete your training, gain clinical experience, and start working in the healthcare field in just a couple of months.
Key Takeaways
- Complete your training in 8-10 weeks, depending on the schedule you choose.
- Learn hands-on skills that prepare you for clinical and administrative work.
- Get real experience through externship placements at local healthcare sites.
- CALRegional’s programs are offered through partner schools in Pasadena and nearby cities.
- Graduates are ready to sit for the national certification exam.
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Why Medical Assistant Training Is in High Demand
Healthcare is growing fast. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 12% increase in medical assistant jobs from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations. California continues to rank among the top states for employment, with thousands of openings every year.
Medical assistants play a vital role in doctors’ offices, urgent care centers, and clinics. They help take patient vitals, record information, assist with exams, and manage records. This mix of clinical and administrative work makes the career both stable and diverse.
Training Overview: What to Expect
The medical assistant training in Pasadena, California, combines classroom instruction with clinical skills training. Students learn essential healthcare procedures, safety practices, and patient communication. The goal is to ensure every graduate feels confident from day one on the job.
Topics include:
- Recording patient visits, charting histories, and scheduling appointments
- Taking vitals, drawing blood, giving medications, and performing EKGs
- Assisting physicians with patient care and preparing exam rooms
- Managing front and back office operations
- Performing dosage calculations and using medical math
Classes are taught by experienced instructors who bring real-world knowledge into the classroom. Through hands-on lab experience, students practice the same tasks they’ll perform in a clinical setting.
Read More: A Day in the Life of a CMA: Exploring Medical Assistant Duties
Many students choose CALRegional’s short-term programs because they fit around busy schedules. The accelerated format allows you to gain skills, complete externship hours, and start applying for healthcare positions within a few months.
Where Training Takes Place
CALRegional administers healthcare programs in partnership with adult schools and community colleges across Southern California, including convenient locations near Pasadena. Partner campuses in Covina, Norwalk, Whittier, and surrounding cities make it easy for students from Los Angeles County to attend training with a short commute.
Each partner school provides classroom space, lab access, and support staff, while CALRegional manages the instruction, externship coordination, and student support. This partnership model helps keep tuition low without sacrificing quality.
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Real Experience Through Externships
A defining feature of CALRegional’s allied health training is the guaranteed externship. Every student completes clinical hours at a local healthcare facility. These placements allow you to work alongside doctors, nurses, and technicians in real patient environments.
Read More: Answering Our Top 10 Externship Questions
Externships bridge the gap between classroom learning and employment. Many students receive job offers from their extern sites after completing their hours, giving them a direct path to their first healthcare role.
Certification and Career Outcomes
Graduates are prepared to sit for the national CMAC (Clinical Medical Assistant Certification) exam. Certification strengthens your resume and demonstrates that you meet professional standards.
The program includes certification preparation to help students feel confident before taking the national exam. Instructors review key topics and offer test-taking tips, so every graduate is ready to succeed.
According to data from Indeed, certified medical assistants in California earn an average of $24.21 per hour, with potential for higher wages in hospitals or specialty clinics.
Graduates often find employment in doctors’ offices, urgent care clinics, and specialty practices such as pediatrics or cardiology. These environments offer consistent schedules and room for advancement into leadership or nursing roles.
Read More: 6 Places Medical Assistants Can Work
With experience, medical assistants can move into office management, phlebotomy, or nursing programs. CALRegional’s programs focus on long-term career mobility, helping students start in healthcare and grow from there.
Local Insight: Training Near Pasadena
For students in the Pasadena area, several nearby partner campuses make scheduling simple. Evening and weekend classes are available, ideal for working adults balancing other responsibilities.
Driving from Pasadena, Alhambra, or Arcadia takes under 30 minutes to most sites, and each campus offers free parking and accessible public transit routes. Check which programs are available near you, as some locations currently offer phlebotomy training only.
CALRegional’s programs appeal to those pursuing adult education in Pasadena, offering a practical path for career advancement without long-term schooling or high tuition costs.
CALRegional keeps class sizes small to ensure individual attention. Students also receive direct guidance on externship placement, certification steps, and employment support after graduation.
Who the Medical Assistant Program in Pasadena, CA Is For
This program is designed for:
- Recent graduates exploring healthcare careers
- Working adults looking for a career change
- Anyone seeking stable, entry-level healthcare employment
No prior medical experience is required. Students must be 18 years or older and hold a high school diploma or equivalent.
FAQs
Programs take between 8 and 10 weeks, depending on the class schedule. CALRegional’s accelerated format helps students begin working faster than traditional programs.
Medical assistants handle both patient care and administrative tasks. They take vitals, prepare patients for exams, assist with procedures, and manage records. The mix of duties makes the job varied and engaging.
CALRegional administers medical assistant programs through Twilight Adult School in Pasadena. This location serves students from across Los Angeles County.
Why Choose CALRegional
CALRegional has helped thousands of students begin careers in allied health through high-quality, short-term programs. Their focus on vocational training in California combines affordability, accessibility, and real-world results.
By partnering with local schools, CALRegional ensures students receive credible instruction backed by institutional support. The programs are designed for quick skill development, hands-on training, and job readiness.
Conclusion: Start Your Healthcare Career in Pasadena
A career as a medical assistant offers stability, purpose, and opportunity for growth. If you’re ready to take the next step, CALRegional can help you apply for the medical assistant program in Pasadena, CA, through its partnership with Twilight Adult School.
Classes fill quickly, and spots are limited each term. To learn more, register for an upcoming online info session below.
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