Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Program Graduate Spotlight: Marsha Little, Spring 2018
February 1, 2021 | Heather Fletcher
Article originally published in August 2019.
Marsha Little began her medical career well over 20 years ago and holds a deep passion for helping others.
After finding out about UWF Continuing Education’s Certified Clinical Medical Assisting (CCMA) program through an online ad, Marsha was sold immediately. With previous experience as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and in-home healthcare, Marsha was an ideal candidate for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant program. To her, the CCMA program at UWF offered a position between a Certified Nursing Assistant and a Registered Nurse.
Marsha was immediately attracted to several parts of UWF Continuing Education’s CCMA program. “The part of the program that stood out to me the most was definitely the included Phlebotomy and EKG certifications,” she explained. Since graduating from the program she’s also become certified for drug screens and alcohol breath testing and says that she hopes to add another in the near future.
Marsha was also drawn to the convenience of the program. “Another big reason I loved this program [was that] they made it to where you could still hold a job,” she says. The program’s convenient night and weekend courses allowed her to work during the day and go to school at night. “UWF Continuing Education was the only place around that offered a schedule like that,” she said. Marsha also emphasized the convenience of the 16-week format and noted that most other CCMA programs average completion time of 9-12 months. “This is an accelerated course, it’s hardcore. But if you have the determination and you want it, it will be worth it in the end.”
Marsha is grateful for the leadership of the CCMA program; she describes her two instructors (both registered RNs with several years of experience between them) as simply phenomenal. “Jackie and Teresa are amazing women,” she says. “They’re so full of knowledge and prepare students for anything they may encounter working in the field.”
When asked what the hardest part of this journey has been, she laughs and says, “the sleep deprivation.” Despite the late nights doing homework, she encourages anyone considering the program to take the leap. “It wasn’t easy by a longshot, but it was doable. You cannot get a better foundation for your medical career. The experience that you get is invaluable.”
Marsha has been working at Sacred Heart Urgent care since October of 2018. She couldn’t be happier with her work environment or her team members. “It is everything I wanted,” she says. While Marsha plans to stay with Sacred Heart, she mentions that several people she graduated with plan to continue their studies and take their medical careers even further.
“There’s a pride when you put those scrubs on. I feel good about myself when I go to work every day and I feel good about myself when I come home because I know that everyone who came through those doors got the care that they needed. For me, it’s always been about patient care. I love it.”
To date, CCMA students from UWF have achieved a 100% pass rate on the Certified Medical Assistant examination. Get more information about the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant program.
