Medical Assisting
Medical assistants enjoy rewarding careers in one of the fastest-growing healthcare careers. Under the direction of a physician, they take and record vital signs and medical histories, prepare patients for examination, draw blood, administer medications and injections, perform minor surgery, schedule appointments, maintain medical records and assist with billing and coding.
Once You Complete the Program
Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant Certification Exam to earn the credential CMA (AAMA) and find employment in a physician’s office, clinic or other healthcare facility.
Getting Started
Selection for the Medical Assisting program occurs on a first-come, first-served basis. This is based on submission of the requirements outlined in the Medical Assisting Application Book.
Illicit drug use, background check, convictions and immunization status may prevent future employment. In addition, externship sites, employers, and regulations about drug use, criminal backgrounds, and immunization status.
For more information, contact:
Michelle Keim
mkeim@irsc.edu
For questions pertaining to refunds, please click here.
Medical Assisting Program Information Sessions
Upcoming sessions:
Applying to the Medical Assisting Program
The application for the Fall 2025 daytime program will be available as of January 6, 2025. The deadline to apply is August 1, 2025 (or until full).
To begin the application process:
- Read the Medical Assisting Application Booklet.
- Complete and submit the IRSC Application for the Medical Assisting program (Pay the $30 non-refundable application fee.)
Note: If at any time during the application process you have a change in personal information (name change, address, phone number or emails), submit the changes through MyPioneerPortal and to the Health Science Division at 772-462-7550.
Licensure Requirements
Indian River State College offers a number of different degrees and certificates leading to professional licensure in the state of Florida. Some professions require both a degree and the successful completion of additional criteria such as licensure exams, field placements, or clinical hours. Student eligibility to apply to sit for the Medical Assisting Certification in the State of Florida is defined in, F.S., 458.3485 and also includes possession of a valid form of identification. Please visit the Florida Senate website to ensure your eligibility.
If you are a student who may choose to reside outside of Florida after graduation, IRSC cannot confirm whether this degree program meets educational requirements for professional licensure/certification in your state. Some states have requirements in addition to the program’s curriculum. If you wish to take the Certified Medical Assisting (CMA) exam in another state, contact the regulation of professions and occupations in the state to determine whether this degree will meet their licensure requirements.
Completion of the Medical Assisting requirements makes you eligible to apply to take the Certified Medical Assisting (CMA) exam in Florida.
Professional Licensure and Certification Disclosure Table for Medical Assistant
Accreditation
The Indian River State College Medical Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Meidcal Assisting Review Board (MAERB).
Additional Program Information
HOSA
This is a national organization which supplements and complements the health occupations education curriculum. HOSA provides students in secondary, postsecondary and collegiate programs with opportunities to develop personal, leadership and career skills needed by healthcare providers. HOSA helps develop the total person, not just job-specific skills. The rapidly changing healthcare system needs workers who are technically skilled, people-oriented and capable of accepting leadership positions as a member of a team. Learn more.
Medical Assisting Career Training
Students enrolled in Career and Technical Education programs build increasingly sophisticated skills in 150-hour modules. For course descriptions, see the College Catalog.
