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.
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.
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:
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.
This public school offers a three-semester medical assisting certification program that is accredited by the CAAHEP.
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.
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.
This public college, located in Springfield, offers a medical assisting program that is accredited by the CAAHEP.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the national employment rate for medical assistants is expected to grow by 16 percent from 2021 to 2031. In the state of Ohio, the number of medical assistants is expected to grow by 14 percent during that same 10-year period.
The BLS also reports that in 2021, Ohio medical assistants made slightly less income than medical assistants on a national scale. While the national mean hourly income for medical assistants was $17.88 and the mean annual income was $37,190, Ohio medical assistants earned a mean hourly income of $17.69 and an annual mean income of $36,800.
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.
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.