Medical Assisting
Certificate of Achievement Allied Health · Sierra College · 2025-2026 Catalog
Successful completion of the Medical Assisting Program certificate prepares the student with the knowledge, skills and qualities necessary for the medical assisting profession. The medical assistant acquires a broad scope of skills which makes him/her a valuable allied health professional within the ambulatory care setting. During this program, students will learn and demonstrate vital signs, EKGs, venipunctures, injections, assist with minor office surgeries and patient education, as well as medical office administrative tasks. Students will also learn basic anatomy, physiology and pharmacology. This comprehensive education allows graduates to find employment in clinics, urgent‐care facilities, primary care and specialty physician offices. Medical assistants are also employed in medical laboratories, surgical centers, and electrocardiography departments in hospitals, government agencies and educational institutions. Core coursework will be fulfilled in two semesters, followed by a 160‐hour externship. A certificate of achievement will be earned after completing all courses with a grade of “C” or better and successfully passing the externship (ALH 0009). The certificate is designed to focus on providing specific career technical skills; it is not equivalent to an associate degree.
Required Courses
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ALH 0001 | Electronic Health Record/Billing | 2.5 |
| ALH 0002 | Medical Coding | 3.0 |
| ALH 0003 | Introduction to Pharmacology for Medical Assisting | 2.5 |
| ALH 0004 | Physical Exam Procedures | 3 |
| ALH 0005 | Medical Office Procedures | 4 |
| ALH 0006 | Medical Office Laboratory Procedures | 3 |
| ALH 0007 | Medical Asepsis and Surgical Procedures | 3.5 |
| ALH 0008 | Medication Administration and Injection Procedures | 3 |
| ALH 0009 | Medical Assisting Clinical Practicum Experience | 3 |
| Total Units | 27.5 | |