Medical Assistant Schools & Salaries in Ohio
Degrees, Certification, Earnings & Job Growth
Medical assistants in Ohio are important team members in a variety of medical practices and settings. They are often the first professional many patients see when they enter a hospital, medical clinic or doctor’s office. Ohio is among those states that employ the greatest number of medical assistants, both in total and per capita, in the nation. Additionally, job growth for medical assistants is strong and expected to continue that way for years to come. All of this adds up to a positive outlook for careers in medical assisting in Ohio.
If you think you may be interested in a career in the field, read on to learn about job and education opportunities for medical assistants in Ohio today
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Ohio’s Top Schools for Medical Assisting
Those who want to help others and get started on a career in health care can do just that with a degree or certificate in medical assisting. With the necessary education out of the way, a medical assistant can make a big difference in a hospital, clinic or physician’s office by helping with back-end office work or working directly with patients. To find the right program to meet your career aspirations, do some research. Our handy list of Ohio’s 2017 Top Schools for Medical Assisting is a good starting point. We looked at a number of factors, like class sizes and career placement, to develop this list and save you some time.
Cincinnati State Technical and Community College
Cincinnati, OH- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$3,933
- Out-of-state$7,866
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate46%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled7,890
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment43%
- AccreditationYes
Edison State Community College
- Piqua, OH
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,060
- Out-of-state$8,119
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate48%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled3,888
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment40%
- AccreditationYes
Zane State College
- Zanesville, OH
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$5,070
- Out-of-state$10,230
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate61%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled2,262
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment41%
- AccreditationYes
Belmont College
- St Clairsville, OH
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$2,658
- Out-of-state$5,136
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate49%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled856
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment26%
- AccreditationYes
Clark State Community College
- Springfield, OH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$3,176
- Out-of-state$6,352
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled5,669
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment44%
- AccreditationYes
Terra State Community College
- Fremont, OH
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,224
- Out-of-state$8,448
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate56%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled2,309
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment49%
- AccreditationYes
Lorain County Community College
- Elyria, OH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$3,696
- Out-of-state$7,637
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled10,206
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment47%
- AccreditationYes
Eastern Gateway Community College
- Steubenville, OH
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$3,960
- Out-of-state$7,200
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate53%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled25,648
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment97%
- AccreditationYes
Rhodes State College
- Lima, OH
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,085
- Out-of-state$8,169
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate65%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled3,628
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment30%
- AccreditationYes
Columbus State Community College
- Columbus, OH
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,588
- Out-of-state$9,540
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate64%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled28,159
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment34%
- AccreditationYes
Marion Technical College
- Marion, OH
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,640
- Out-of-state$6,560
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate55%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled2,524
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment42%
- AccreditationYes
Northwest State Community College
- Archbold, OH
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,136
- Out-of-state$8,128
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate76%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled2,857
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment6%
- AccreditationYes
Southern State Community College
- Hillsboro, OH
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,682
- Out-of-state$8,838
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate52%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled2,399
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment32%
- AccreditationYes
Cuyahoga Community College
- Cleveland, OH
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,322
- Out-of-state$8,136
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate57%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled23,655
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment68%
- AccreditationYes
Ohio University-Southern Campus
- Ironton, OH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$5,674
- Out-of-state$8,666
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate68%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled2,232
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment75%
- AccreditationYes
Ohio Medical Assisting Schools and Programs
There are currently more than 100 medical assisting schools in Ohio to choose from, located throughout all parts of the state. Finding the right one for a particular student requires a time and effort. The tool below is designed to make that search for the right school and program quicker and easier
Certification & Training in Ohio for Medical Assistants
1. How does Ohio define “medical assistant?”
Ohio state law does not offer a specific definition for the term “medical assistant.” It does, however, provide for the delegation of medical tasks by physicians to “unlicensed persons,” a group that includes medical assistants in Ohio. Under Ohio Administrative Code Section 4731.23, an “unlicensed person” is defined as, ” an individual who is not licensed or otherwise specifically authorized by the Revised Code to perform the delegated medical task.”
2.Is a formal education and/or training required to work as a medical assistant in Ohio?
According to the State Medical Board of Ohio, there are no legal or specified standard training requirements for the education or training of medical assistants in the state.
3. Is certification required?
State certification to practice as a medical assistant in Ohio is not required. There are also no state licensure or registration requirements, but because many employers prefer to hire certified medical assistants, a certification could be an important step on the road to becoming a medical assistant in Ohio.
4. Is certification available?
Yes. While certification is not a legal requirement in Ohio, voluntary certification is strongly recommended. There are no certifications specifically for medical assisting in Ohio, but several organizations and associations offer certifications on a national level, as described below:
| Sponsoring Organization/Association | Certification Designation | Basic Certification Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) | Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) | Candidates must: graduate from an accredited medical assisting program; complete non-paying practicum; and pass the CMA exam. Continuing education for recertification required. |
| American Medical Technologists (AMT) | Medical Assistant (RMA) | Candidates can choose from among four eligibility paths to qualify for exam, then must pass the RMA exam. Certification maintenance requires completion of continuing education requirement. |
| National Association for Health Professionals (NAHP) | Nationally Registered Certified Medical Assistant (NRCMA) | Completion of accredited education program, approved military medical training or minimum two years of professional experience for eligibility and successful passing of the NRCMA exam. Continuing education for recertification required. |
| National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) | Medical Assistant (NCMA)1 | Candidates choose from four eligibility paths for eligibility and must pass the NCMA exam. Recertification with continuing education required. |
| National Healthcareer Association (NHA) | Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)2 | Eligibility requires a high school diploma or GED, plus completion of accredited training or military or other work experience and passing of the CCMA exam. Continuing education for recertification is required. |
5. Does Ohio’s state codes provide any description or guidance regarding scope of practice for medical assistants?
Yes. While Ohio law does not offer lists of specific tasks that can or cannot be performed by medical assistants, it does provide very specific guidelines to physicians regarding the conditions under which he or she may delegate medical activities or tasks to “unlicensed persons” such as medical assistants. Prior to delegating a task to a medical assistant, a physician must determine, among other things:
6. Are there tasks specifically prohibited from the practice of medical assistants in Ohio?
Again, no specific task list is provided. However, state law does prohibit a physician from delegating a number of tasks to unlicensed persons, including those:
Salaries for Ohio Medical Assistants
Salaries for medical assistants in Ohio are below national averages and tend to be among the lowest nationwide, according to 2014 figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Here’s a look at Ohio wages for medical assistants, as compared with national averages:
| Annual Wage 25th percentile | Annual Wage Median | Annual Wage 75th percentile | Hourly Wage Median | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | $24,610 | $28,020 | 32,210 | $13.47 |
| National | $25,500 | $29,960 | $36,070 | $14.41 |
Source: BLS, 2014
Medical Assistant Salaries in Ohio: City and Metropolitan Area Salaries
Geographic location factors such as population play a major role in determining actual salary figures for specific occupations. The chart below offers a glimpse at how location influences salaries for medical assistants in Ohio.
| Area | Annual Wage 25th percentile | Annual Wage Median | Annual Wage 75th percentile | Hourly Wage Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati-Middletown, OH-KY-IN | $25,760 | $29,270 | $34,520 | $14.07 |
| Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor, OH | $25,430 | $28,290 | $31,670 | $13.60 |
| Columbus, OH | $26,070 | $29,450 | $34,430 | $14.16 |
| Dayton, OH | $25,970 | $29,170 | $33,770 | $14.03 |
| Eastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area | $21,230 | $24,620 | $29,110 | $11.84 |
| Southern Ohio nonmetropolitan area | $20,600 | $24,430 | $29,200 | $11.74 |
| West Northwestern Ohio nonmetropolitan area | $21,100 | $23,650 | $27,970 | $11.37 |
| Other Ohio nonmetropolitan area | $21,050 | $24,440 | $28,930 | $11.75 |
Source: BLS, 2014
Medical Assisting Employment Trends in Ohio
While expected job growth for medical assistants in Ohio over the coming years trends lower than for the nation at large, the prospects for finding work as a medical assistant in the state are strong when compared to the overall job market
Medical Assistant Estimated Employment Growth 2012-2022
| Average Annual Openings | Current Employment | Projected Employment 2022 | Jobs Added | Growth Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | 890 | 22,510 | 27,130 | 4,620 | 20.6% |
| National | 26,990 | 560,800 | 723,700 | 162,900 | 29% |
*Source: Projections Central, 2012-2022
Ohio Medical Assisting Schools Spotlight
There are dozens of formal educational options for prospective Ohio medical assistants, each offering its own quality academic program designed to suit the unique needs of its students. Highlighted here are three different types of medical assisting schools in Ohio for comparison.
CLARK STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
School Type:
Community College
Accreditation:
CAAHEP
School highlights:
Clark State operates on three campus locations in Ohio: Springfield, Beavercreek and Bellefontaine. The college has per semester enrollment of over 5000 students.
Programs offered:
Associate of Applied Science-Medical Assisting and Certificate in Medical Assisting. Students pursuing the associate degree complete all coursework required for the Certificate in Medical Assisting at the completion of their first year of study and may apply for the Certificate at that time.
STARK STATE COLLEGE
School Type:
Public College
Accreditation:
CAAHEP
School highlights:
Stark is a public, two-year college offering associate degrees, certificates and professional development programs in over 230 majors.
Programs offered:
Associate of Applied Science Degree in Medical Assisting. The degree is designed to be completed in two years (including a summer semester) of full-time study and is available in both day time and night time tracks. Offered on Stark’s campus in Canton.
UNIVERSITY OF NORTHWESTERN OHIO
School Type:
Private Non-Profit College
Accreditation:
CAAHEP
School highlights:
UNOH is a private four-year college with its campus in Lima offering certificate, associate, bachelor and master degree programs to a 4,500 student population.
Programs offered:
Associate of Applied Business in Medical Assistant Technology. This degree is designed to be completed in six quarters of full-time study.
Resources for Ohio Medical Assistants and Students
Website for the major medical assistant education program accreditation organization. Provides a search tool for locating accredited programs throughout the country
State code chapter concerning physicians that includes laws and regulations pertaining to the scope and practice of medical assistants in Ohio.
The state affiliate of the AAMA. The OSSMA site provides information on the association’s networking events and scholarship programs, a job board, blog and more.
Excellent site for government information and statistics on the medical assisting profession. Includes descriptions of job duties, education and training qualifications, job outlook, and more.
