Health Science Academy
Medical Assisting
Preparing Future Healthcare Professionals Through Hands-On Patient Care
The Medical Assisting program prepares students for careers in healthcare by combining clinical practice, medical terminology, administrative skills, and patient care training. Students learn how to support patients and healthcare professionals through real-world skills such as taking vital signs, performing EKGs, practicing infection control, and assisting with medical office procedures.
Through certifications, HOSA competitions, blood drives, and clinical experiences, students develop confidence, professionalism, and the foundation needed to pursue careers in nursing, medical assisting, public health, and other healthcare fields.
Course Sequence
Students progress through a four-year sequence that builds both technical skills and business knowledge.
9th Grade
10th Grade
11th Grade
12th Grade
TBD
TBD
TBD
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Certifications
Students earn industry-recognized credentials that demonstrate professional readiness.
Students may earn the following certifications through the program:
- Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)
- Certified Electrocardiography Technician (CET)
- Basic Life Support / CPR Certification (BLS)
Additional optional certifications may include:
- Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT)
- Registered Medical Assistant (RMA), upon completion of the summer program
Students may also complete the 8-week Medical Assisting Summer Program through Robert Morgan Educational Center & Technical College. This includes Pharmacology and a Clinical Practicum at a local medical clinic or doctor’s office.
“I participated in HOSA, and it was a really gratifying experience. It allowed me to gain hands-on experience with different techniques in the medical assisting field.”
- Lunamia Vega (11th grade)
Competitions and Achievements
Students in the Medical Assisting program actively participate in healthcare competitions, service events, and community health initiatives.
Students have earned recognition through HOSA–Future Health Professionals competitions, OneBlood blood drive participation, and the Keiser University Health Innovation Challenge.
Achievements include:
- 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishes in HOSA local competitions
- State and national-level HOSA qualifiers
- OneBlood Highest Participation Award for MDCPS South Region
- 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishes in the Keiser University Health Innovation Challenge
Career Pathways
The Medical Assisting program prepares students for careers in clinical care, healthcare administration, and specialized medical fields.
Possible pathways include:
- Registered Nurse
- Licensed Practical Nurse
- Medical Assistant
- EKG Technician
- Phlebotomy Technician
- Surgical Care Technician
- Pharmacy Technician
- Ultrasound Technician
- Ophthalmology Technician
- Healthcare Administration
- Public Health and Human Services
Students also develop transferable skills including patient communication, empathy, critical thinking, organization, professionalism, and clinical problem-solving.
Student Voices
Learning Through Real Experience
Students regularly practice clinical skills, participate in health-related service projects, and prepare for real patient care settings.
Through blood drives, CPR training, HOSA preparation, certifications, and clinical skill practice, students learn the responsibility and precision required in healthcare.
“Working alongside the seniors to set up the blood drive challenged me because it was the first time we took on that kind of responsibility in such a delicate field.”
- Lunamia Vega (11th grade)
“From taking vital signs to organizing blood drives to learning medical terminology, I'm gaining patient experience and building skills that will allow me to pursue a real-world healthcare career.”
- Mannat Mittal (12th grade)
Teacher Perspective
Mr. Robert Castellanos
“What I find most rewarding is the ‘aha’ or light bulb moment. I get to see students discover what they want to do, become more involved, and grow through the process.”
Students gain both clinical and administrative skills, including:
Taking and recording vital signs
Performing EKGs and basic diagnostic testing
Practicing infection control and patient safety
Collecting and preparing laboratory specimens
Assisting with medical office procedures
- Scheduling appointments and managing patient records
- Communicating professionally with patients and healthcare staff
Successful students also develop empathy, organization, critical thinking, professionalism, and the ability to manage multiple responsibilities in fast-paced healthcare settings.
The program prepares students for college and careers through certifications, clinical practice, HOSA opportunities, blood drive participation, and an optional summer Medical Assisting program that leads toward Registered Medical Assistant eligibility.
Advice for Future Students
Students demonstrate that learning technical skills today can provide valuable opportunities for the future.
Program Legacy
The Medical Assisting program gives students the opportunity to begin building their healthcare careers before graduation through certifications, clinical training, and real-world patient care experiences.
Students leave the program prepared for college, technical programs, and entry-level healthcare opportunities, with the confidence and compassion needed to serve patients and make a meaningful impact in the medical field.
