Our goal is to prepare competent entry-level medical assistants in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. Students receive a combination of classroom study, practice in the campus laboratory, and clinical and administrative practice in local physicians' offices. The major emphasis of the program is placed on clinical, administrative and general physician office practices. The Medical Assistant program prepares students to assume the role of health professionals in the field of medical assisting by providing technical instruction and skill development that will enable students to become gainfully employed.  Students receive individualized instruction providing a combination of classroom study, practice in the campus laboratory, and clinical and administrative practice which is gained through student externships in local physicians’ offices.

Medical assistants held about 495,970 jobs in 2009. About 62 percent were in physicians’ offices, and about 12 percent were in public and private hospitals, including inpatient and outpatient facilities and almost 11 percent worked in offices of other health practitioners, such as chiropractors and podiatrists. The rest worked mostly in outpatient care centers, public and private educational services, other ambulatory health care services, State and local government agencies, medical and diagnostic laboratories, nursing care facilities, and employment services.

Medical assistants are in demand! Medical assisting is one of the nation's fastest growing careers, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. This can be attributed to a predicted surge in the number of physicians' offices and out-patient care facilities. Technological advancements and the growing number of elderly Americans who need medical treatment are also factors for the increased demand for medical assistants.

Accreditation

The Medical Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education programs upon the recommendation of the Medical Assistant Education Review Board (MAERB).

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs

• Address: 25400 U.S. Highway 19 North, Suite 158, Clearwater, FL 33763,
• Phone: 727-210-2350
• Fax: 727-210-2354 
• Website: www.caahep.org

Occupational Risks

Medical Assisting is a profession with many rewards, as practitioners can perform both administrative and clinical services, filling several roles in a variety of healthcare environments.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics clearly outlines that it is a growth field, with an anticipated 18% growth from 2020 to 2030. 

Medical Assistants work directly with providers and patients, with the goal of providing healthcare and ensuring patient safety. It is a position with a great deal of responsibility. 

As with any healthcare position, there are certain occupational risks that come into play with being a medical assistant, and those hazards include the following:

• Exposure to infectious diseases
• Sharps injuries
• Bloodborne pathogens and biological hazards
• Chemical and drug exposure
• Ergonomic hazards from lifting, sitting, and repetitive tasks
• Latex allergies
• Stress

At the same time, there are protections set up with the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), and those protections are particularly important within a healthcare environment. OSHA has a series of standards that protect the safety of healthcare workers and patients. 

Accredited medical assisting programs are required to teach students about the hazards that they face on the job and the protocols that can be put into place to ensure a workplace culture that prioritizes safety.