Medical and dental care is essential to the nation, but they are primarily necessary for the state of Florida. With a growing number of the aging population, both industries are expected to flourish in this state throughout the decade.
According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment prospects for medical assistants are expected to grow by 31% from 2010 to 2020, resulting in the hiring of over 160,000 new medical assistants. As for dental assistants, the handbook also projects approximately 91,600 new dental assistant jobs by 2020.
If you live in the state of Florida and are thinking about enrolling in a medical or dental assistant program, look no further than Florida National University (FNU). FNU is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to offer medical and dental assistant diplomas. Let’s take a closer look at each program:
Medical Assistant: What Does the Job Entail?
Medical assistants are often responsible for answering phones and scheduling appointments, greeting patients in person, filing patient information, managing billing and bookkeeping records, completing and filing insurance forms as well as acting as a liaison between medical professionals and patients.
Medical assistants are not just not responsible for office work. They’re also responsible for arranging lab procedures, hospital admission for patients, and assisting nurses and physicians with multiple tasks before, during, and after medical examinations. They consult with patients to get their medical histories, take and record vital signs in patients’ medical charts, sterilize medical equipment, collect and prepare bodily fluid specimens for lab work, and help prepare patients for examination.
It is of the utmost importance that medical assistants exercise patient confidentiality at all times. Medical assistant certifications often include compliance training to understand and uphold the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Earn Your Medical Assistant Certification at Florida National University
The American Association of Medical Assistants reports that while it is not always necessary to undergo formal training to become a medical assistant, job prospects might be best for medical assistants with formal training, particularly those with a certification. The association also recommends that prospective medical assistants complete a recognized certification course as “employers prefer to hire experienced workers or certified applicants who have passed a national examination, indicating that the medical assistant meets certain standards of competence.”
The purpose of FNU’s Medical Assistant Program is to prepare students for entry-level positions such as front and back office procedures. Throughout the program, students will acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to work in administrative and clinical settings such as clinics, hospitals, medical labs, doctor’s offices and diagnostic centers. After taking a minimum of 36 credits in basic healthcare courses, like Basic Anatomy and Physiology, Patient Care Procedures, Electronic Medical Records, Medical Coding and Billing, Medical Office Procedures, along with Medical Lab Procedures, students will be better prepared to work as a certified medical assistant. Graduates are required to dedicate 45 hours of clinical time before they can earn their diploma. These clinical hours will help students gain confidence and experience in their profession.
Before students can begin clinical time, all medical assistant students must attend the following seminars:
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA)
Upon completion, graduates of the medical assistant program will have enough skill and knowledge to work in almost any industry in the healthcare sector.
Dental Laboratory Technician. What Does the Job Entail?
Typically, dental assistants perform a wide variety of tasks throughout the office. Most of their work is technical as they concentrate on fabricating oral dentures, crowns, and bridges. Because dental laboratory technologists work with teeth, they have to learn how to work with small instruments flawlessly. Some of them even specialize in ceramic restoration.
What are the Educational Requirements for Dental Laboratory Assistant?
The American Dental Association (ADA) requires that dental laboratory technicians get their training from a two-year educational institution. It’s even better if you choose a university that is regionally accredited so that you’re getting the most out of your dental education. After graduating, dental technologist must become certified by passing the Certified Dental Technician test that’s administered by the National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology.
How to Earn Your Dental Laboratory Degree at Florida National University
FNU has state-of-the-art technology that’s equipped to prepare you for working in the workforce as a professional dental lab technician. To register for this degree program, simply contact one of our advisors to help get the application process started and to determine whether or not you’ll need to take prerequisite courses before diving into any of the 60-credit core requirements.
More About Florida National University
Founded in 1982, Florida National University is a regionally accredited higher learning institution that awards a variety of associate, baccalaureate, and master degree programs. We also offer career education diplomas and certificates.
With two campus locations in Hialeah and Miami, we provide both international students and local students the same tuition and offer numerous scholarship opportunities. We know that many students are unable to attend on-campus classes. That is why we offer many of our degrees online. View what kind of healthcare degree you can earn online here.
Contact A FNU Advisor Today
If you’re thinking of entering the medical or dental assistant profession, contact an FNU advisor today. For a full list of FNU’s academic catalog, click here.
