If you’re looking for the right college to earn a degree as a Medical Assistant in the Miami area, then you need to find a regionally accredited university that will allow you to get the most out of each college course. While larger universities might be an option, Florida National University (FNU) urges you to explore all of the universities the South Florida area offers.
The city of Miami isn’t short on any job positions in the healthcare industry. The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook projects a 23% growth rate for Medical Assistants between the years 2014-24. It can be said that the state of Florida will see a fair percentage of this growth due to the aging Baby Boomers moving down south to retire. As a result, an increasing demand for healthcare professionals are steadily on the rise.
Plenty of Job Opportunities, Plenty of Competition
There are many healthcare institutions in the state of Florida. Just near the Miami area, there’s a wide array of medical centers like hospitals for the general public, veterans, children, facilities specifically for rehabilitation, endoscopy, diabetes, cardiovascular, urgent care, and private practices. All of these care centers are in need of Medical Assistants, but even though the demand for this profession is increasing, the need for each facility varies. Therefore, if you plan to earn a Medical Assistant degree, then be prepared to have some competition when applying for a job.
If you want to outshine the competition when applying for a Medical Assistant position, then you’ll need to make sure that you not only look good in the interview, but also on paper. This first starts with choosing the right university to teach and train you on how to be one of the best Medical Assistants in the healthcare industry, and it starts with FNU!
FNU Medical Assistant Programs
FNU offers two different kinds of Medical Assistant programs:
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Medical Assistant Diploma
After taking a minimum of 36 credits in basic healthcare courses like Basic Anatomy and Physiology, Electronic Medical Records, Patient Care Procedures, Medical Office Procedures, Medical Coding and Billing, along with Medical Lab Procedures, students will be better prepared to work as a multi-skilled Medical Assistant who will have enough knowledge to work in almost any industry within the healthcare field. Graduates of this program will also gain the experience thanks to the required 45 hours of clinical time they must commit to before earning their diploma.
Students can expect to pay approximately $19,720 in tuition and fees. Books and supplies will cost roughly $800. This program can be completed in less than 16 months.
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Medical Assistant Technology
The Associate of Science degree in Medical Assistant Technology teaches students about the basic fundamentals of medical assisting. It is very similar to the Medical Assistant diploma, but with more technical training. Graduates of this degree program will be able to apply to jobs as a Medical Assistant Technologist, a position that is very much needed in the healthcare industry, making such a person’s skillset versatile enough to work in a private practice or public facility.
The minimum amount of credits needed to earn this associate’s degree is 75. Another major difference between this degree and the Medical Assistant diploma is that the associate’s program includes a 15-credit hour component of general education and liberal arts classes. In this program, students can expect to take more math and technical courses. They should also prepare themselves to commit to 135 hours of clinical practice.
For this associate’s degree program, students should expect to pay approximately $43,335 in tuition. Books and supplies will cost roughly $2,000. Students enrolled in the Associates of Science in Medical Assistant Technology can expect to finish this program in less than 28 months.
Enrollment as a Part-Time or Full-Time Student
For both, the Medical Assistant diploma and the associates in Medical Assistant Technology, the expected amount of time to finish is based on full-time enrollment. Should you choose to enroll in either one of these programs as a part-time student, the time it will take to get your diploma or degree will take longer. Furthermore, as a part-time student, you may risk the chance of not qualifying for financial aid assistance. FNU strongly encourages you to contact our financial aid office for more information on financial aid eligibility.
Requirements
All Medical Assistant students need to complete the following seminars before working clinical hours:
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Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
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Basic Life Support (BLS)
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Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
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Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA)
Medical Assistant students should also budget for scrub attire. FNU requires that all healthcare students wear medical attire at all times. This includes traditional class time, lab and clinical hours.
Financial Aid Options
FNU’s financial aid office will assist you in making your college education affordable. You’ll get help filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, a form that is usually the main requirement for most other kinds of financial aid opportunities.
FNU: The Best Option for Your Academic Goals
Florida National University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Our institution is listed in the Classification of Colleges and Universities of the Carnegie Foundation. FNU is equipped to help you train for a career as a Medical Assistant and Medical Assistant Technologist. With the associate’s degree, your credits will be transferrable to enroll into one of our bachelor and/or master’s degree programs should you choose to continue your education. Take a look at our catalog of academic programs here. If you have any questions, contact an FNU advisor about enrolling in one of our programs today!
