Medical Assistant Schools in Miami
(found 8 schools)
If you are looking for a great way to enter the medical field, consider getting an education to become a medical assistant. A course of study that prepares you to become a medical assistant can often be completed in about 12 to 24 months. Those employed as medical assistants often work in dynamic health care environments alongside medical professionals like doctors, nurses and nurse practitioners.
Medical assistants may also perform valuable front desk duties or take on important administrative responsibilities. They may help to get patient histories, take their vitals and assist them prior to their exams. The experience gained in assisting patients in the exam room or hospital room may also prove to be valuable in future professional growth in the medical field.
Medical Assistant Education in Miami, FL
Medical assistant schools in the Miami area typically offer one or more of these three degree options: two-year Associate’s degree, certificate or diploma. The latter two programs generally last about 12 months. Those programs focus mostly on relevant medical assistant courses. The Associate’s degree program will typically include general education courses in addition to the medical assistant classes.
There are more than 10 schools offering accredited Medical Assisting programs in the Miami area. Others are found in nearby communities like Ft. Lauderdale and Hollywood. Some schools offer one of the three types of programs, while others will offer the choice of either a diploma program or an Associate’s Degree.
In addition to classroom work, medical assistant training often includes lab-based classes. Clinical hours may be included with certain MA classes. Later in one’s course of study, an internship in a local hospital or other medical facility may be are part of the degree program. Connections established during such an internship will occasionally prove valuable in securing future employment.
Coursework can lead you to become a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA). Once you have five years of experience in the field, it is possible to take an exam on the way to becoming a Registered Medical Assistant (RMA). Such career advancement may lead to increased income.
A medical assistant will often require both patient skills and administrative capabilities. The ability to take direction from a variety of health care professionals, like physicians and nurse practitioners, is often important.
While it is true that jobs can often be found in hospitals and medical clinics, medical assistants are often employed by nursing homes, assisted care facilities and community health centers as well. Once you are educated as a medical assistant, doors can open to many varied and interesting career opportunities in Miami and beyond.
Local Information for Miami, FL
One benefit of attending school in the Miami area is ready access to a wide variety of public transportation options. In addition to bus and light rail services, Miami-Dade Transit offers the unique Metromover. This electrically-powered people mover system is 4.4-miles long, and it connects many important landmarks and area school. Best of all, it is free.
Metrorail is a sophisticated, 25-mile-long, elevated rapid transit system. Easy access is provided by 23 Metrorail stations. Finally, Metrobus serves Dade County with over 800 buses running on over 95 routes.
It will not be too surprising to find that Miami is home to a variety of professional associations, and Dade County hosts its share of medical seminars and conferences. For example, the Dade County Medical Association is headquartered right in Miami. Continuing education opportunities and healthcare seminars are often made available throughout the greater Miami area, at medical centers, educational institutions and convention centers alike.
Employment Outlook in Miami, FL
According to statistics compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2016, the mean annual wage for Miami MAs is $30,630. There are hundreds of thousands of medical assistants employed nationwide, and 6,420 of those are employed in the Miami metropolitan area, according to the BLS (2015).
The BLS projects much above average growth in the employment of medical assistants. Nationwide, job growth is expected to surpass 22 percent from 2012 to 2022..
If you are ready to further your education and take your future into your own hands and become a medical assistant, we can help. We have provided a full listing of medical assistant schools in Miami, and you can contact them directly from our site.
Salary numbers provided are from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.