Florida, the land of sand, sun, and surf, draws countless visitors each year and is home to a large population of aging retirees. As more people move to Florida, healthcare providers across the state are working to add medical support staff in order to meet the growing demand for healthcare services.
The state’s booming healthcare industry provides an excellent opportunity for medical assistants. In fact, Florida’s hospital systems and physicians’ practices provide more medical assistant jobs than any other state in the nation, with the exception of California.
The exceptionally high demand for medical services in Florida makes it a promising state in which to become a medical assistant.
The Employment Environment for Medical Assistants in Florida
There are nearly 4,000 medical assistant job openings in Florida each year. The growing need for skilled medical support workers in the state means that annual job growth is expected to be even higher in the coming years.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assistants in the state earn an average of $14 an hour, which is higher than the regional average for this profession. The Bureau also reported that Gainesville, Florida is ranked as one of the top metropolitan areas in the nation in terms of job opportunities for medical assistants.
The Future of Medical Assisting in Florida
As Florida’s population continues to grow, hospital systems work to meet the demand by expanding facilities and building new ones. This expansion has led to more employment opportunities for medical assistants in the state. The growing demand for healthcare support workers needed to staff new facilities is likely to cause employers to offer higher salaries and better benefits as a way to attract the best medical assistant job candidates.
If you are considering entering the field of medical assisting in Florida, there has never been a better time to do so.
Medical Assistant Schools in Florida
Central Florida Institute
- Program Link: Medical Assistant program
- Description: Central Florida Institute offers medical assistant training in Orlando and Tampa Bay. At CFI, students can choose to specialize in Medical Assisting with Basic X-Ray or Medical Assisting with Cardio Tech. In addition, both campuses offer medical assistant training during both day and night classes, allowing students to enjoy flexible scheduling and to get the training they need while still working and taking care of families.
- Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES); Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Programs: Medical Assistant with Basic X-Ray; Medical Assistant with Cardio Tech
- Average Program Length: 38 weeks (days); 58 weeks (evenings)
- Tuition: $13,950
- Clinical Experience: externship
- Job Placement Rate: 26% – X-ray path; 56% – Cardio Tech path
- Fun Fact: CFI offers open house events for interested students.
Everest University
- Program Link: Medical Assistant diploma
- Description: Everest offers Medical Assistant training at its campuses in Brandon, Jacksonville, Kendall, Lakeland, Largo, Melbourne, Miami, North Orlando, Orange Park, Pompano, South Orlando, and Tampa campuses, making an Everest education convenient for almost anyone. The program offers all-inclusive training that prepares students to complete all of the various tasks required of professional medical assistants. Upon completion of this program, students are eligible to take the examinations to become Certified Medical Assistants or Registered Medical Assistants.
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Programs: diploma
- Average Program Length: Less than one year
- Tuition: $21,641
- Clinical Experience: Externship
- Job Placement Rate: 57% to 66%
- Fun Fact: Many Everest campuses offer flexible scheduling for student convenience.
Keiser University – Daytona
- Program Link: Associate of Science in Medical Assisting
- Description: Keiser University offers an Associate of Science in Medical Assisting that prepares students to become Certified Medical Assistants or Registered Medical Assistants. The program promises small class sizes, state-of-the-art technology and experience, and a quality externship that will prepare students to start in entry-level medical assistant positions with knowledge, skill, and confidence. Keiser offers one class at a time study and provides flexible scheduling through day, evening, and online classes.
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Programs: Associate of Science in Medical Assisting
- Average Program Length: two years
- Tuition: $7,392 per semester
- Clinical Experience: Externship
- Job Placement Rate: 87%
- Fun Fact: Keiser is one of the largest independent career schools in the state of Florida
D.G. Erwin Technical Center
- Program Link: Medical Assisting Program
- Description: D.G. Erwin Technical Center offers a quality medical assistant training at a very affordable price. Students at Erwin will receive clinical and administrative training while enjoying small class sizes and exceptional student support. The program culminates with an externship, which provides students with a chance to practice their knowledge and skills in a real-world environment.
- Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
- Programs: diploma
- Average Program Length: 15 months
- Tuition: $3,484
- Clinical Experience: externship
- Job Placement Rate: 73%
- Fun Fact: Students who graduate from Erwin can become Certified or Registered through the applicable exams.