How to Become a Medical Assistant in Ohio

It’s never been a better time to become a medical assistant in Ohio, as employment rates are growing steadily. Medical assistants perform a combination of administrative and clinical tasks in settings such as outpatient clinics, physicians’ offices and hospitals.[Leer en español]

These health professionals each carry a unique set of responsibilities based on the needs of their specific employers. Medical assistant responsibilities include scheduling appointments, handling bookkeeping, drawing blood, and assisting physicians in exams. Qualities of successful medical assistants include attention to detail, interpersonal skills, and technical skills.

Requirements for Becoming a Medical Assistant in Ohio

Ohio does not require medical assistants to obtain post-secondary training or certification. Instead, the state allows hiring physicians to determine the competency of prospective medical assistants. While certification is not required, it is highly valued by employers and gives medical assistants an advantage in the applicant pool.

Medical Assistant Training and Educational Programs in Ohio

There is an abundance of medical assistant training programs in Ohio. Students should enroll in a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) to be eligible for certification exams. Most offer both administrative and clinical training, also most medical assistant classes are in-person, rather than online, because they require hands-on training. Some options in Ohio include:

University of Cincinnati – Blue Ash

An associate degree in medical assisting can be obtained at this public school, which offers on-campus classes to be completed within two years. UC Blue Ash is accredited by the CAAHEP.

Columbus State Community College

This public school offers a three-semester medical assisting certification program that is accredited by the CAAHEP.

Ohio Business College

With locations in Sandusky and Cleveland, this CAAHEP-accredited school offers flexible day and night classes to help students complete its Medical Assisting Training Program.

cuyahoga community college

The cuyahoga community college offers an associate degree in medical assisting that is accredited by the CAAHEP. Courses at Cuyahoga are offered online, as well as on campus.

Clark state community college

This public college, located in Springfield, offers a medical assisting program that is accredited by the CAAHEP.

Lorain county community college

Students seeking medical assistant certification can attend this school and take part in its nine-month program. The curriculum focuses on clinical and administrative duties, as well as the principles of practice management. The program is accredited by the CAAHEP.

southern state community college

This college offers a medical assistant program that is accredited by the ABHES. The program includes courses in patient care and administrative duties, as well as an internship.

Certification for Becoming a Medical Assistant in Ohio

The medical assistant certification process is overseen by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), which requires applicants to pass one of five exams accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). The most common two certifications are Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) and Registered Medical Assistant (RMA). These two certifications generally require the successful completion of a CAAHEP or ABHES-accredited training program or equivalent medical experience.

Certified Medical Assistant Certification in Ohio

The Certified Medical Assistant credential is valid for 60 months and can be renewed through the AAMA. To take the exam, CMAs must apply with proof of program completion, professional liability insurance, and membership in the AAMA. The fee for the Certified Medical Assistant examination is $125 for AAMA members and $250 for non-members.

Registered Medical Assistant Certification in Ohio

The RMA credential is valid for three years and can be renewed through the American Medical Technologists (AMT). To take the exam, RMAs must apply with proof of program completion and current CPR certification. The fee for the RMA exam is $125 for AMT members and $250 for non-members.

Licensed Medical Assistant Certification in Ohio

The Licensed Medical Assistant (LMA) credential is valid for four years and can be renewed through the Ohio Board of Medicine. To take the exam, LMAs must apply with proof of program completion and current CPR certification. The fee for the LMA exam is $100.

Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Certification in Ohio

The CCMA credential is valid for 60 months and can be renewed through the National Healthcare Association (NHA). To take the exam, CCMAs must apply with proof of program completion and current CPR certification. The fee for the CCMA exam is $155 for NHA members and $180 for non-members.

Career Outlook and Salary Expectations for Medical Assistants in Ohio

Medical assistants in Ohio have a promising career outlook, with competitive wages that closely align with the national average. As of 2022, medical assistants in Ohio earn an average annual salary of $36,900, slightly below the national average but still offering a competitive wage for the profession. With a projected growth rate of 14% from 2020 to 2030, Ohio presents ample opportunities for individuals looking to enter the healthcare field.

National vs. Ohio Salaries for Medical Assistants

Salaries and Percentiles by Region in Ohio

Medical Assistant Trends in Ohio

The employment trends for medical assistants in Ohio indicate a solid growth outlook. In 2020, there were 26,450 medical assistants employed in the state. This number is projected to increase to 30,010 by 2030, marking a 14% growth over the decade. Annually, Ohio is expected to have 3,620 job openings for medical assistants from 2020 to 2030, which includes openings due to growth and replacements for vacated positions.

Employment Trends

Sources of data:

1. Ohio Data: The employment figures and projections for Ohio are sourced from Projections Central, specifically their 2020-2030 long-term projections. Projections Central specializes in state-level employment projections, providing detailed insights into various occupations.
2. United States Data: The national employment statistics and projections are obtained from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), particularly their 2022-2032 employment projections.

Working as a Medical Assistant in Ohio

Residents of Ohio who wish to become medical assistants should be able to find work almost anywhere in the state. However, cities with the highest employment rates in the field are Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Columbus. Applicants can inquire with physicians’ offices, health clinics, and hospitals to find open medical assistant positions. There are many medical assistant training programs throughout the state, so most Ohio residents should be able to find a program that works for them.

Medical assistants are an integral part of healthcare office operations, and the career is a promising one. Because of rising employment and salary rates, a career in medical assisting is ideal for people who want to work in healthcare without extensive required training or for those who want to gain experience for further health career jobs, like nursing or healthcare administration.

Popular Medical Assistant Schools In Ohio

FAQs

How much do medical assistants earn in the state of Ohio?

According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assistants in the state of Ohio made an average of $36,800 per year in 2021. Entry-level medical assistants earned around $28,890 and some experienced professionals earned salaries as high as $45,750.

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