Are you passionate about healthcare and eager to play a vital role in patient well-being? Do you thrive in environments that blend administrative prowess with clinical understanding? If so, an Administrative Clinical Care Partner Program could be your perfect pathway to a rewarding and in-demand career. Medical assistants are the backbone of modern healthcare practices, expertly trained to handle both the administrative and clinical facets of patient care in various ambulatory settings.
What is an Administrative Clinical Care Partner?
The role of an administrative clinical care partner, often embodied by the Medical Assistant, is dynamic and crucial. These professionals are multi-skilled individuals educated to excel in ambulatory care environments. Their expertise directly impacts the efficiency of healthcare delivery and patient experiences. Becoming a proficient medical assistant requires a comprehensive grasp of medical knowledge, specialized clinical and administrative skills, formal education, and hands-on practical experience. These elements collectively form the standards for entering this essential profession.
Palm Beach State College: Your Partner in Medical Assisting Education
Palm Beach State College offers outstanding programs designed to launch your career as an administrative clinical care partner. Whether you are looking for an in-depth Associate in Science degree or a focused College Credit Certificate, PBSC provides pathways tailored to your career goals.
Medical Assisting Advanced – Associate in Science (A.S.) Degree
This Associate in Science degree program is meticulously crafted to equip students for impactful roles within a physician’s healthcare team. The program’s unique strength lies in its immersive learning environment, simulating a real medical office setting. This approach ensures students gain practical, applicable skills across both administrative and clinical domains. Graduates are prepared to thrive in diverse healthcare settings, including:
- Physician’s offices
- Outpatient clinics
- Ambulatory surgery centers
- Medical and diagnostic laboratories
- Kidney dialysis centers
- Offices of various healthcare practitioners
Career Advancement and Certification:
Upon completing the A.S. degree, you will be eligible to pursue nationally recognized certifications, enhancing your professional credibility and marketability. These certifications include:
- Certified Medical Assistant, CMA (AAMA)
- Registered Medical Assistant, RMA (AMT)
- Certified Clinical Medical Assistant, CCMA (NHA)
- Certified Phlebotomy Technician, CPT (NHA)
Furthermore, the academic foundation built in this program provides pathways for further education. Credits earned can be transferred towards Palm Beach State’s Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Supervision and Management, or to other four-year institutions, opening doors to leadership and advanced healthcare roles.
Important Immunization Note:
Please note that while Palm Beach State College currently does not mandate COVID-19 vaccination, clinical healthcare facilities, where practical skills are validated, may require specific immunizations, screenings, and background checks. Compliance with these requirements is essential for program completion. For detailed inquiries, contact Dr. Delsa R. Bush, Risk Management Director at [email protected].
Program Cost:
The approximate cost for the Medical Assisting Advanced A.S. degree is $9,600 (in-state), encompassing books, uniform, tuition, and associated fees.
Medical Assisting Specialist – College Credit Certificate (CCC)
For those seeking a more concentrated program, the College Credit Certificate in Medical Assisting Specialist offers a direct route to becoming a vital member of a healthcare team. Similar to the A.S. degree, this certificate program emphasizes practical training in a simulated medical office environment, focusing on both administrative and clinical competencies. Graduates are well-prepared for roles in the same diverse healthcare settings as A.S. degree holders.
Medical Assisting Student Handbook
Upon completion, certificate holders are also eligible for the same national certifications as A.S. degree graduates (CMA, RMA, CCMA, CPT), enhancing their professional qualifications. The credits earned in the CCC program are fully transferable to the Medical Assisting Advanced Associate in Science degree, providing a stepping stone for further academic advancement.
Apply to Become a Medical Assisting Professional
Palm Beach State College’s Medical Assisting programs are controlled access programs, requiring a separate program application after general college admission.
Apply to the Medical Assisting Program
Important Program Requirements:
Admission to the Medical Assisting program involves clearance requirements beyond academic criteria, including drug screenings, background checks, and fingerprinting. These are in accordance with federal and state regulations for health science programs. Clinical facility placement is mandatory for program completion and has specific requirements that all applicants must meet.
Program Accreditation: Ensuring Quality Education
Palm Beach State College’s Medical Assisting Certificate Program holds accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), a testament to the program’s rigorous standards and quality education. This accreditation is based on the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB).
Accreditation Details:
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Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- 9355 – 113th St. N. #7709, Seminole, FL 33775
- Phone: 727-210-2350
- Website: https://www.caahep.org/
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Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB)
- 2339 N. California Ave, #47138, Chicago, IL 60647
- Phone: 312-392-0155
Program Goal:
The overarching goal of the Palm Beach State College Medical Assisting program is to cultivate competent medical assistants proficient in cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains, ready to excel in their profession.
Proven Program Success:
The Palm Beach State College Medical Assisting program at Lake Worth, FL, boasts a strong five-year average exam passage rate of 76.47% (2019-2023). Notably, in 2023, 100% of exam takers successfully passed, demonstrating the program’s commitment to student success and high-quality training for future administrative clinical care partners.
