Have you thought about a career as a medical assistant? In Florida, without any prior experience, you can expect to earn an average of $37,190 per year.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this field will increase by 18 percent from 2020 to 2030. This represents a much faster growth rate than the average for all career paths, which means that medical assistant job options will keep increasing.
Are you unsure about how to get a medical assistant certification to work in Florida? Today, you can train for your medical assistant certification online. Keep reading to learn everything about entering the field of certified medical assistants.
Medical Assistant Certification in Florida
Section 458.3485Â of the Florida Statute defines the medical assistant education standards. Students must complete an accredited medical assistant (MA) program.
One approved body is the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. Other state or national medical associations or board-approved entities may also grant accreditation.
Florida defines an MA as a professional with many skills who help with patient care. A licensed physician must take direct responsibility and supervise the MA’s work.
Medical Assistants must follow all legal and ethical standards of professional practice. They’re expected to model professionalism at all times. The MA must also identify and respond to emergency situations.
Defined Duties
This statute defines the tasks MAs may perform under the direct supervision of a licensed physician. Examples of clinical procedures include:
- Administering non-intravenous injections
- Assisting with patient treatments or exams
- Collecting routine patient specimens ordered by the physician
- Completing administrative and office duties as directed by the physician
- Completing aseptic procedures
- Getting patients ready for care by the physician
- Giving patients medications ordered by a physician
- Obtaining and recording vital signs
- Operating standard medical equipment
- Perform dialysis and home dialysis procedures
- Performing basic first aid
- Performing basic lab tests
- Performing venipunctures
- Reporting patient signs or symptoms they observe
All medical personnel must make sure the MAs have constant oversight as required by law. It’s also vital to restrict assignments to tasks they’re certified to perform.
Medical Assistant Training
Medical Assistant program enrollees must be at least 18 years of age and hold a high school diploma or GED. You don’t need to have worked in a medical setting before entering the program.
The Certified clinical medical assistant (CCMA) education program involves 996-course hours. You’ll spend 204 credit hours in hands-on clinical experience. Key subjects included in the training are:
- Preparation for task completion
- How to meet HIPAA and OSHA regulatory standards
- How to take vital signs, draw blood, and perform drug and pregnancy tests
- Techniques for therapeutic patient care and communication
- How to assist with EKGs and minor surgeries
You’ll spend time attending lectures, studying, and taking practice CCMA certification tests. In general, most individuals complete the training in six weeks to six months. This depends on how quickly you finish the coursework and practical experience.
If you have prior medical experience may submit pertinent documentation. This may give you some hour exemptions for the internship requirements.
Upon finishing all course requirements, you’ll take the national certification exam. There are three entities that administer this examination.
- The National Healthcareer Association
- The American Medical Certification Association
- The National Center for Competency Testing
After passing the exam, you’ve earned the right to use the CCMA title.
Medical Assistant Certification Online
Many students like online courses that let them complete school on their schedule. Phlebotomy Career Training offers a 100 percent online course curriculum. This program teaches you the theory, preparation, and steps for performing medical tasks, and will allow you to work as a Medical Assistant in Florida.
It includes regulatory standard information for adherence to OSHA and HIPAA rules. The course will teach you effective strategies for professional conduct and patient interaction. These skills are vital for excelling as an MA.
The 204-hour internship experience is also required for online students. Students can complete their internships at hospitals, doctor’s offices, urgent care centers, and other medical clinics.
Students anywhere in the U.S. and Canada can take this course. Once you pass the certification exam, you can work in any of these places.
Are You Looking for the Best Medical Assistant Programs?
Does a medical assistant certification online training program sound exciting to you? Phlebotomy Career Training (PCT) is an NCCT accredited post-secondary proprietary school. Our school has provided training for students across the world since 2009, and 95% of our graduates find employment upon graduation!
PCT offers technician certification programs in phlebotomy, EKG, cardio-phlebotomy, IV, and pharmacy. Reach out today to learn more about all our programs.
Nancy L. Kimmel obtained her PhD in Environmental Engineering in 2002, then went on to teach Physics and Mechanical Engineering at Lawrence Technological University, Henry Ford College and Oakland University. She obtained her Associate in Nursing from Henry Ford College and then went on to earn her Master Degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner and became Board Certified working as a licensed FNP in the State of Michigan. She then went on to Medical School where she is now in her 3rd year, and is also in the process of obtaining her Doctorate in Nursing Practice through Chamberlin University. She has authored the NET Study Guide, as well a several books on subjects of Math, ECG/EKG and Phlebotomy. She holds a patent on an Air Filter through the U.S. Patent Office.