About the Program
Medical Assisting offers an Associate in Applied Science degree and certificate options. These credentials prepare students to perform administrative and clinical duties in offices of health practitioners. Upon completion of the program, graduates are prepared to sit for the AAMA Certification Examination, where, upon passing the examination, the individual earns the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential.
The goal of the Medical Assisting Program is to prepare competent entry level medical assistants in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (beavior) learning domains. The Medical Assisting program is proud to highlight a retention rate of 85.71% for graduation year 2019.
Medical Assisting is a program housed by theBiological & Health Sciences division.
Program Accreditation
The program is accredited by theCommission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programsupon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB).
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
25400 U.S. Highway 19 North, Suite 158
Clearwater, FL 33763
727-210-2350
www.caahep.org
Career Opportunities
Medical assistants perform both administrative duties and clinical duties:
- Administrative dutiesinclude scheduling and receiving patients, preparing and maintaining medical records, handling telephone calls and written correspondence, performing medical transcription, submitting insurance claims, and maintaining practice finances.
- Clinical dutiesmay include asepsis and infection control, taking patient histories and vital signs, performing first aid and CPR, preparing patients for procedures, assisting the physician with examinations and treatments, collecting and processing specimens, performing selected diagnostic tests, and preparing and administering medications as directed by the physician and as permitted by state law.
Employment of medical assistants is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations as the health services industry expands due to technological advances in medicine, and a growing and aging population. Increasing utilization of medical assistants in the rapidly growing health care industries will result in fast employment growth for the occupation.