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WELCOME
The Florida Society of Medical Assistants welcomes our
many student members and highly encourages current medical assisting
students and future students to become involved in your professional
organization. We have included this website page for you to meet and
learn about student members, student membership and the
accredited (CAAHEP) programs in Florida.
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2007 WINNING POSTER
Brevard Community College student, Dedra Tate
wins "Papers" Competition.
Confidence can Make a Difference
By Dedra Tate
Good afternoon. My name is Dedra Tate and I am currently a
Medical Assistant student at Brevard Community College in Brevard
County. Before I put on my student hat I am a wife of six
wonderful years with three beautiful children. I currently work as
a CNA at Cape Canaveral Hospital in Cape Canaveral, Florida on the
Telemetry Unit or what we call “The heart floor”. Going into the
Medical Assistant Program was not something I originally wanted to
do. I didn’t know anything about Medical Assisting or what it
entailed. Out of curiosity and wanting to get back into school I
decided to give this program a try. I remember walking into class
on the first day of school very nervous and unsure of what I
wanted to do with my life. I remember I kept going back and forth
on whether or not I made the right decision. I realized quickly
that I had made the right decision by the information provided by
a wonderful instructor concerning this medical program and the
many health care concerns facing the world today. It was almost
like a curtain had been lifted from my eyes when it came to how a
physician’s office operates, how the patients are affected, and
how we as future Medical Assistants needed to help make a
difference in the health care field. I also realized that being a
Medical Assistant you play a very vital role in health care and we
are challenged when it comes to our responsibilities.
Without our understanding of the human body inside and out,
medicine, theory and skills, we can’t make accurate decisions when
it comes to performing tests, patient education, understanding
diseases, and being able to think critically and compassionately.
One aspect my instructor taught me is that it is important to
speak with conviction and with confidence. I know now that this
is very important in a health care setting because it shows the
patient as well as the physician and co-workers that you know what
you’re talking about and we want our patients to have confidence
in us. When you study what you need to know piece by piece to gain
a better understanding and when learning is fun and is taught by
standards I realized I now know what I need to know to be that
confident practitioner.
Working as a CNA I am often challenged on how to respond to a
patient’s needs as well as their families needs. I can’t convey
something I don’t understand and the patient would have no
understanding of what I’m trying to say if I myself am unsure. I
now feel confident.
Before this program I never paid attention to things such as
treatments and diagnostic tests and why it was important for
patients. I also realize that a lot of aspects affect how a
patient is diagnosed with conditions or illnesses. I now
understand and feel confident.
Did you know 40 million Americans each year are misdiagnosed with
conditions that they don’t have? That’s startling!! We have to
challenge ourselves when it comes to the health care field and
omitting medical error as well.
Challenge others to become knowledgeable as well and attend formal
training schools is now my motto. I just thought I knew a little
about it before I started this program and this profession.
Before this class I never, ever felt so involved, assured, and
confident with with what I want to do …I want to make a difference
and I challenge you all to do the same!!
Thank you.
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FSMA STUDENT MEMBERSHIP
A student member shall be enrolled in a medical assisting
program and carry a minimum of six (6) contact hours per week week per
term. Student members may retain membership for one additional dues
year after graduation if active or associate membership is not chosen.
Student membership shall be limited to a maximum of three (3) years as a
student member. Currently, student membership is $20 per year and
heavily discounted rates are offered for FSMA educational programs.
Being a student member of FSMA is an opportunity to meet other students in
medical assisting and members of the FSMA.
CAAHEP
The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) was established as a non-profit agency on July 1, 1994. CAAHEP accredits programs representing 18 allied health professions recognizing over 1800 allied health education programs in more than 1000 institutions. These institutions include universities and colleges, academic health centers, junior and community colleges, hospitals, clinics, blood banks, vocational-technical schools, proprietary institutions, and government institutions, and government institutions and agencies.
To visit CAAHEP on the internet, go here
and use your browser's BACK button to return to this page
FLORIDA MEDICAL ASSISTING (CAAHEP) PROGRAMS
If the program you are looking for does not appear on list below it is probably not CAAHEP accredited. Accreditation actions are taken quarterly by the CAAHEP Board of Directors and these lists are updated accordingly.
For more information about Medical Assisting Programs visit the website of the professional association
(AAMA) by clicking here. |
