FAQ's

A Medical Assistant is a very versatile and unique practitioner who is part of the Health Sciences Campus care team. Our functions expand from front office duties to clinical performance and procedure under the supervision of a licensed physician.

You will perform venipuncture, injections, X-ray, EKGs, catheterization and specialty procedures just to name a few. You could be responsible for simple reception to managing the office. Because we learn many different procedures and are unique, the market for our profession stays in demand. We primarily work in physicians' offices, out-patient clinics, out-patient surgical centers and specialty departments within a large clinic setting.

The program is a College Credit Certificate (CCC) with an additional AS degree option. See a health science advisor to see what option might work best for you.  

Students are admitted on a first come, first served basis with the understanding that all requirements set forth in the application have been met.

A selection committee is not used to accept students. We do not admit students based on points.

Students can begin the program in Fall or Spring semester.   Prerequisite Support courses can be started any semester.

Although an interview is not required, the program director recommends a meeting with a health science advisor to help with scheduling and the entrance process. 

You make an appointment with the program director eight weeks before the end of the completion of your last course. Registration into the MEA 1808 externship requires instructor signature.

The College Credit Certificate Medical Assistant Program is designed to take 12 months to complete. Core courses must be taken in the sequencing provided for ultimate success.

Should a student need to repeat any courses, please note the program does not accept core courses over two years old, or support courses over ten years old (by program start). 

The Medical Assistant Program offers options for students to successfully complete the program. See "Entrance Criteria/Course Sequencing."

The core portion of the program is designed to be completed in three semesters (1 Year) and your sequence is determined by the term you begin the program.

The Registrar's Office will evaluate official transcripts from other colleges and universities. Support courses must have been taken within 10 years and clinical courses 2 years. There are course waiver and course substitution forms available for qualified candidates. See an advisor for eligibility.

Please review the approximate itemized costs of the program is listed on the Estimated Expenses page (assuming normal time to completion). 

Financing for this program may be available through grants, scholarships and loans (federal or private, if you qualify) and institutional financing plans. 

Yes, it is mandatory for all Medical Assistant students to wear the designated uniform for all core courses. Please refer to the Additional Policies page for more specific uniform information. Once you start wearing your uniform, your hair should be off your shoulder, no excessive make-up, and no long nails or finger nail polish. Your white duty oxford nursing shoes should be white and clean at all times. Your uniform should be clean and wrinkle free at all times. We want to act and look like the professionals we are!

The demand for Medical Assistants is greater than ever. Most students are offered positions through the practicum experience and are able to start employment even before they graduate. Starting salaries vary depending on the type of facility you choose. You can expect to start at approximately $12-14 per hour. Because of the versatility of the profession and with some experience you could go as high as $16-18 per hour. With good supervisory and leadership skills pay can be even higher.

The job placement rate for students who completed our program is 96%.  

To advance to the Medical Assistant Advanced A.S. degree, the learner must:

1. Have achieved/completed all phases of the College Credit Certificate listed above, no later than 3 years prior to AS degree start.
2. Applied and passed the national RMA certification credential – must provide copy of completion.
3. College Placement:  Be college-level in Writing & Math (exit any DE courses).
4. Submit an online Nursing application and application fee.

It is not mandatory to complete the AS degree; however, our industry partners/employers love degrees!

It is possible to complete the required AS degree general education courses before entering the Medical Assistant Specialty CCC program, while completing the prerequisites. This will allow you to achieve your AS degree goal much faster. See "Entrance Criteria/Course Sequencing" for the list of required courses.

In order to qualify for the A.S. degree, previous Medical Assistant PSAV graduates must coordinate the transfer of their PSAV credits into the Medical Assistant Specialty CCC first. In order to transition, you must have:

1. Graduated from the former Medical Assistant PSAV program within 3 years of applying to the CCC or contact the program manager if the timeframe falls outside that three-year window.
   
2. Passed the PSAV courses with “C” or higher (including supports)
3. Meet all admission requirements (submit application & pay fee) and have your major updated to the CCC by a Nursing & Health Science Advisor, which can be done any semester.
   
4. Complete a “Petition for Credit” form with the Program Manager
5. Complete Human Anatomy & Physiology 1 and 2 with a grade of “C” or higher.
   *If you have already completed A&P 1 and 2, you will still apply to the CCC, meet with Nursing & Health Science Advising and submit credit petitions with program manager.  Once the petitions are approved, they can apply for graduation in that term
6. Once credit for the CCC and graduation with that certificate is approved, you can apply to the Medical Assistant Advanced A.S. degree.

To advance to this A.S. degree the learner must:

1. Meet all admission requirements (Submit app & pay fee) and be college-level ready in ALL areas (CPT/PERT)
2. Have achieved/completed all phases of the CCC program, no later than 3 years prior to the AS degree start. Copy of transcript required
3. Applied and passed the national RMA certification credential by program start. Copy of certification required
4. Submit above documentation to a Nursing & Health Science Advisor, any semester

• The courses for this program (general education & support courses) can be started any term
• The program is self-paced, open-exit

If you like a regular work week, paid holidays, paid vacation, pension and profit sharing, and other perks, this is the setting you will find in your typical physician's office. If you enjoy a challenging and rewarding position working with people in all aspects and being able to perform as a professional with leadership skills then it's for you. You are never bored with the same routine because of the versatility of duties you are allowed to perform.

This is probably one of the most important aspects of being a Medical Assistant. This shows your competence, confidence, knowledge and ability to perform on a professional level. Once you are nationally certified, there is no need to repeat the test should you move out of state. Once you are certified, you must receive 60 continuing education units (CEU's) in order to keep your certification status current. Our program helps prepare you for the National Examination.

You are immediately introduced to your professional affiliation, the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). You will be mentored into the Brevard County Chapter of Medical Assistants as a member and taught what we stand for at the local, state and national levels. By getting to know your professional associates you have access to information and possible employment positions as well as stay informed on the latest topics. You are able to obtain free CEUs through your local chapter and share professional camaraderie.