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    Medical Assisting

    ESSENTIAL SKILLS FOR ESSENTIAL CARE

    Merritt Medical Assisting Illustration

    Program Links

    Merritt Links

    Healthcare Training with Heart and Commitment

    Medical assistants are vital members of healthcare teams, performing both clinical and administrative tasks that ensure quality patient care. Whether you're interested in clinical (“back office”) or administrative (“front office”) roles, our program offers the training you need to succeed — and with a projected 15% job growth from 2023 to 2033, it’s a field that offers great opportunities and career stability. Merritt College stands out by combining comprehensive lectures, laboratory courses, and clinical experiences in local healthcare facilities, preparing students for careers as both front-office and back-office medical assistants.

    "MEDAS gave me confidence and real-world skills. I was ready to start working right after graduation." 

    - Merritt College MEDAS student

    A program handbook is a guide for students. It includes details about program requirements, course sequences, policies, expectations, and available resources to help students succeed. It serves as a roadmap throughout the program, helping students stay informed and on track.

    Medical Assisting (MEDAS) Certificates

    Certificate of Completion
    Bridge to Medical Assisting (Noncredit 280 hours)

    Learn about careers in healthcare while building foundational skills for entry-level roles or further study. Designed for students new to the field or returning to school, including English language learners and high schools looking for Dual Enrollment opportunities. A flexible, supportive first step into medical assisting and a career in Allied Health!

    Certificate of Achievement
    Clinical Medical Assisting (20 units)

    Prepare for hands-on, back-office roles supporting physicians with patient care, procedures, and health education. You’ll learn to take vital signs, perform lab tests, and assist in clinical settings. Includes a 160-hour externship for real-world experience.

    Grow your resume with these two key courses!

    • MEDAS 102B Clinical Medical Assisting II (3 units) - Master ECG analysis, a sought-after skill as the demand for ECG monitor technicians is on the rise.
    • MEDAS 102C Clinical Medical Assisting III (3 units) - Learn phlebotomy basics.

    Certificate of Achievement 
    Administrative Medical Assisting (17 units)

    Focus on front-office skills like electronic health records, scheduling, insurance billing, and patient communication. Ideal for students interested in the organizational side of healthcare. Gain practical experience using industry-standard systems and software. 

    Contact Information

     
    Muwafaqu Al Asad

    Program Director
    Muwafaqu Al Asad
    malasad@peralta.edu
    (510) 434-3925

    Staff Assistant
    Waaduda Karim
    wkarim@peralta.edu
    (510) 436-2422

    Diane Chang

    Interim Dean of Math, Science, Technology & Allied Health
    Diane Chang
    Bldg. S-441
    dtchang@peralta.edu
    (510) 436-2426

    Counselors

    Tanya Ilarde
    CE Counseling Office
    Building S | Room 438
    (510) 434-3938
    MCCareerEd@peralta.edu

    Marlo Beall
    CE Counseling Office
    Building S | Room 438
    (510) 434-3938
    MCCareerEd@peralta.edu

    Marisela Carvalho
    CE Counseling Office
    Building S | Room 438
    (510) 434-3938
    MCCareerEd@peralta.edu

    Faculty & Staff
    Part-Time Faculty  
    Muwafaqu Al Asad

     

    		 Muwafaqu Al Asad
    Program Director
    Building S-303
    Email: malasad@peralta.edu
    (510) 468-1861
       
    Full-Time Faculty  
    Olufunmilayo (Grace) Idowu

     

    		 Olufunmilayo (Grace) Idowu
    Building S-321
    Email: gidowu@peralta.edu
    (510) 434-3886
    Merritt-College-Campus-2

    Apply Today!

    Completing your application takes less than 30 minutes! We’ve created an application guide to help you quickly and easily complete the steps to apply and enroll.

    Apply