According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be an increase in the national employment projection rate for medical assistants each year from 2020 to 2030. The projected growth is 18 percent, or 104,000 openings each year.
In addition, Florida has 32 percent or 9000 annual projected job openings from 2018 to 2028.
Formal education is not required to become a medical assistant in Florida. Still, others can take a certificate program or associate program in colleges or universities, which can be finished in one to two years.
In Florida, aside from administrative duties, medical assistants can perform clinical procedures such as venipunctures and intravenous injections, basic laboratory procedures, dialysis procedures, and administer medications.
Listed below are the complete duties of medical assistants under the direct supervision of licensed physicians according to the Florida Statutes:
(a) Performing clinical procedures, to include:
(b) Administering basic first aid.
(c) Assisting with patient examinations or treatments.
(d) Operating office medical equipment.
(e) Collecting routine laboratory specimens as directed by the physician.
(f) Administering medication as directed by the physician.
(g) Performing basic laboratory procedures.
(h) Performing office procedures including all general administrative duties required by the physician.
(i) Performing dialysis procedures, including home dialysis.
Medical assistants in Florida are not required to have a certificate or license. However, having a certification is highly encouraged due to the competitive job market and to increase the chances of getting a promotion in the future. Florida recognizes certified medical assistants from certifications by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies, a national or state medical association, or a board-approved entity.
Certified medical assistant programs in Florida that are approved by the State are similar to other states. As an example, medical assistant programs in California lead to national certifications that are the exact same as in Florida. The most common certification in both states is the CMA cert from the American Association of Medical Assistants.
Listed below are the five certifications for medical assistants accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies:
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?mode=View
The definition, duties or scope of practice and certification requirements of medical assistants in Florida can be found here.
This is the state affiliate of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
This is a trilevel organization that administers the Certified Medical Assistant (AAMA)®—or CMA (AAMA)® exam.
This association administers the Medical Assistant Certification (MAC) exam and Clinical Medical Assistant Certification (CMAC) exam.
This association administers the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) Certification exam.
This is an independent credentialing organization, accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies, which administers the National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA).
This association administers the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam and Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) exam.