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.

OCPCOURSE NUMBERCOURSE TITLECOURSE LENGTH
AHSC0003Basic Healthcare Worker90 hours
BMEA0002
MEA0501
Introduction to Medical Assisting
Medical Office Procedures
250 hours
75 hours
CMEA0521Phlebotomist, MA75 hours
DMEA0543EKG Aide, MA75 hours
EMEA0581
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)
  • $20.00 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.

Salary:

The average wage for this career in Florida is $16.31 hourly or $34,800 annually.

Job Outlook:

Employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 18% from 2020 to 2030.

Get In Touch

7 + 12 =

Health Occupations

TRANSLATE »