Medical Assisting

HCI College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). HCI College is also licensed by the Florida Department of Education’s Commission for Independent Education (CIE).

The Medical Assisting Diploma Program is designed to prepare students for entry-level positions as medical assistants in physicians’ offices and other healthcare facilities. Students receive instruction through classroom, laboratory, and externship experiences and develop the skills necessary to assist physicians with administrative and clinical duties.

The Medical Assisting Program runs for approximately 10 months with one course per month, including externship at the end of the program. Coursework includes classroom instruction, online learning, and hands-on laboratory experiences.

Complete the General Enrollment Requirements and Pass the Student Assessment for Distance Education.

Students must achieve a grade of “C” or higher which is minimum 70% in each didactic course to advance to the next course. Students must complete and pass both didactic and lab components for all courses to continue in the program. 

A physical examination completed 6-8 weeks prior to the start of externship: the practitioner who completes this examination must attest to the individual’s ability and readiness for work in a professional capacity as a Medical Assistant (physically, mentally, and emotionally). 

A negative TB test and/or chest x-ray when indicated (chest x-ray required every other year with positive TB test). 

Current immunizations and titers to affirm active immunity.

CPR (healthcare provider) certification by American Heart Association. 

Completion of all required externship paperwork provided by the Program Director.

All students in the Medical Assisting Program are required to complete 180 externship hours. The number of hours completed each week will vary from student to student and will be based on the availability of the externship site but is not to exceed 40 hours per week.

Yes. All Medical Assisting students are to complete and pass the didactic and lab components of all classes to continue in the Medical Assisting Program. A student is allowed two attempts in any class.

Tutoring services are available to promote student academic success. There are faculty tutors to assist students with specific course content. Individual assistance may be scheduled on a case-by-case basis with instructors. All other tutoring is by appointment coordinated through the Program Director/Dean of Academic Affairs. HCI College provides online tutoring services for nursing and general education courses twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week through Tutor.com.

After successfully completing the Medical Assisting Program, graduates are eligible to sit for the Clinical Certified Medical Assistant (CCMA), The Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT), and The Certified EKG Technician (CET), all through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). 

Medical Assistants are trained to perform both administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative responsibilities may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding insurance information. Clinical responsibilities may include taking vital signs, recording medical histories, preparing patients for examinations, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by a physician. 

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), on the other hand, complete a Practical Nursing program and are trained to provide direct patient care. LPNs work under the supervision of Registered Nurses (RNs) and physicians and are responsible for nursing care activities such as monitoring patients, administering medications, assisting with treatments, and supporting patients across a variety of healthcare settings. HCI College’s Practical Nursing Program is designed to prepare students for entry-level employment as practical nurses and eligibility to take the NCLEX-PN licensure examination.

The United States Department of Education has determined HCI College is an institution eligible to participate in Federal Student Aid programs for approved programs. The Financial Aid Department at HCI College provides assistance to students requesting financial aid to pay tuition and other education-related expenses incurred while in attendance at HCI College.

The Financial Aid Department has established procedures to ensure fair and consistent treatment of all applicants. HCI College believes the primary responsibility for educational costs rests foremost with students and their families. However, financial aid is available to those who qualify to meet the difference between students’ resources and actual needs. HCI College maintains full-time Financial Aid staff to meet students’ needs. Students are encouraged to make appointments with the Financial Aid department to ensure they obtain the funding needed for their college investment.

Qualifying students may have access to several financial pathways:

Federal Aid: FAFSA-based assistance including Pell Grants and subsidized student loans.
Nursing Scholarships: Specialized institutional scholarships dedicated strictly to healthcare majors.
Work-Study: Limited on-campus roles that accommodate demanding nursing schedules.

Student Eligibility Requirements Federal financial aid is generally unavailable to international students, except in cases where they qualify as eligible non-citizens.