Medical Assisting

Program Objective:

The objective of the Medical Assisting program is to provide quality education and training in order to prepare students for employment as medical assistants. The program also strives to meet the demands of the changing Health Care Industry. This program offers a sequence of courses that provides coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers in the Health Science career cluster; provides technical skill proficiency, and includes competency-based applied learning that contributes to the academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work attitudes, general employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of Health Science career cluster.

Occupational Outlook

O*NET Program Detail

Curriculum Framework

Test Prep (Requires Miami-Dade Public Library card. Choose Career Tools | Medical/Nursing)

Program Outlook:

This is one of the most rapidly expanding professions within the allied health field. The role of the skilled medical assistant has a status of vital importance in the medical profession. Administrative office techniques include oral and written communications, medical records management, and billing and collection techniques. The clinical competencies include: learning first aid and CPR; assisting the physician with medical and surgical procedures; taking vital signs, EKGs and basic X-rays; administering medications; and performing selected laboratory procedures including capillary stick and venipuncture. The student receives supervised practical experience in a physician’s office, clinic, or walk-in care facility following completion of the theory portion of the program. Students are encouraged to join the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) and are eligible to be nominated by their instructor to join the National Vocational Technical Honor Society.

Program Content:

The content includes but is not limited to communication, transcultural communication in healthcare, interpersonal skills, legal and ethical responsibilities, health-illness concepts, administrative and clinical duties, emergency procedures including CPR and first aid, emergency preparedness, safety and security procedures, medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, and employability skills.

Length of Program:

The program is 1300 hours and includes 200 hours clinical experience. Approximately 15 months needed to complete the program. This program contains several occupational completion points designed to prepare students for various entry level jobs within this occupational area.

Admission Requirements:

Students must be at least 16 years old and not attending high school
Application
Interview by a guidance counselor
Physical Examination and Level I Background Check
Fees for Supplies and textbooks

Entrance Dates:

This program operates on an open-entry, open-exit basis. Students may enter the program anytime during the school year. Entrance is dependent upon space availability. Call (305) 557-1100 for more information.

Career Opportunities:

Medical Assistants can be employed in a physician’s office, laboratory (phlebotomist), health insurance office, medical records facility, emergency room, skilled nursing care facility, hospital (EKG Technician), or medical office.

Graduation Requirements:

Completion of all Occupational Completion Points (OCP’s)
Satisfy Minimum Basic Skills Requirements
Mathematics 10 Language 10 Reading 10
No financial obligations
Students must complete the Clearance packet to received their program certificate.

OCP	COURSE NUMBER	COURSE TITLE	COURSE LENGTH
A	HSC0003	Basic Healthcare Worker	90 hours
B	MEA0002 MEA0501	Introduction to Medical Assisting Medical Office Procedures	250 hours 75 hours
C	MEA0521	Phlebotomist, MA	75 hours
D	MEA0543	EKG Aide, MA	75 hours
E	MEA0581 MEA0530 MEA0573 MEA0506 MEA0942	Clinical Assisting Pharmacology for Medical Assisting Laboratory Procedures Administrative Office Procedures Practicum Experience	230 hours 90 hours 125 hours 90 hours 200 hours

Program Cost:

In-state residents—$2.56 per hour (Subject to change)
Out of state resident—$10.25 per hour (Subject to change)
$15.00 application fee
Material fee—Varies by program
Identification Card fee—$5.00 per trimester
Students must purchase books/kits and/or uniforms, if applicable

Program Hours:

Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:10 p.m.

Monday—Friday 5:30pm—10:30pm

Approximately Total Cost:

$4,215.00

Employment Requirements:

There are no formal educational requirements for becoming a medical assistant. However, most employers prefer to hire applicants who have completed a medical assisting program.
Students are strongly encouraged to earn a Registered Medical Assisting (RMA) Certification.