Program Description

The Career Certificate in Medical Assisting (MEDAS-VC) program prepares the student who is competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession. This 1300-clock hour program uses a combination of lecture, laboratory, simulation, and clinical instruction.

Program Information

This program is a limited access program, which means program admission and course registration are restricted to a limited number of students each semester due to student-faculty ratios and clinical resources. A student first will be admitted to Pensacola State College, and after satisfying all admission requirements for this program, the student is considered for admission to the MEDAS-VC program.
The Career Certificate in Medical Assisting program accepts 25 students each Fall semester.
The graduate of the program is eligible to take the American Association of Medical Assistants’ Certification Examination (CMA) or the American Medical Technologists’ Certification Examination (RMA) and the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) exams for Phlebotomy and EKG Technician.

Program Approval and Accreditation

The MEDAS-VC program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB).
The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) 9355 - 113th St. N, #7709, Seminole, FL 33775. Phone 1.727.210.2350. caahep.org/. The Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB), 2020 N. California Avenue, #213, Suite 7, Chicago IL 60647. Phone 1.800.228.2262. maerb.org.

Program Admission Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED
• College Application

When the student has met the program admission requirements, the student’s application is evaluated by the Office of Admissions and ranked according to the date on which the student completed the final requirement. Students are selected in that rank order.

Program Progression Requirements

Progression through the Career Certificate in Medical Assisting program requires the following.

• A grade of C or higher in courses in the curriculum.
• Satisfactory completion of clinical requirements which include the following:
  • Level II FDLE background screen;
  • Urine drug screen; and
  • Immunizations and Vaccines.
  • Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers certification.
• Basic Skills Requirement
  • State Board of Education Rule 6A-10.040 Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.) requires non-exempt students who enroll in a career certificate offered for career credit of 450 clock hours or more to complete an entry-level examination within the first six weeks after admission into the program.

Program Completion Requirements

• Earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better in all courses applicable to the program of study.
• Meet the Basic Skills requirements for non-exempt students.
• Meet the academic residence requirement of completing at least 25% of the program with classes at Pensacola State College.