Are you considering a career in healthcare, but not quite ready to commit to the extensive education demands of nursing or physician roles? Have you contemplated putting your innate desire to help people to work in a hands-on medical environment?
If so, a profession in medical assisting may perfectly align with your interests and temperament. The accelerated training paths, bountiful job prospects and immense personal rewards make this vital allied health role an outstanding option for those seeking healthcare careers.
This comprehensive guide explores the ins and outs of excelling as a medical assistant (MA) in Columbus – from picking the right training program to nailing down your first job and beyond. Consider it your playbook for launching a stable allied health career helping others in as little as 9 months.
What Exactly is a Medical Assistant?
Before assessing school options, first understand exactly what this key role entails:
Medical assistants perform a delicate dance of diverse administrative and basic clinical duties to keep healthcare offices, clinics and hospitals humming along. From greeting patients with a warm smile to prepping exam rooms or updating electronic health records – medical assistants provide that invaluable support allowing more specialized professionals like doctors and nurses to maximize their productivity.
It’s a role offering immense fulfillment for those whose temperaments align with organizing office tasks, handling data entry tasks with precision and detail, while also interacting directly with patients when taking medical histories or vital signs.
Neither purely clerical or medical in nature, straddling both responsibilities is precisely why skilled medical assistants are indispensable members of healthcare teams. The ability to excel at this diversity of critical support tasks opens doors to employment in exciting healthcare settings.
The Rise of Medical Assisting in Columbus
With its thriving healthcare sector anchored by leading institutions like OhioHealth, Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Mount Carmel Health System, Columbus offers incredible job prospects for medical assistants fulfilling crucial support roles across inpatient/outpatient facilities, specialty clinics, family medical groups and beyond.
And demand is only intensifying. According to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), medical assisting jobs are projected to grow 23% nationally through 2030 – over triple the average rate across all occupations!
While impressive, projections specific to the Columbus metropolitan area are EVEN rosier:
Projected Columbus Metro Area Job Growth for Medical Assistants through 2030
25%
Salaries reflect this red-hot demand, enabling newly credentialed medical assistants to earn yearly wages rivaling jobs requiring significantly more expensive and time-intensive education.
Here are the latest median salary figures for the Columbus metro area from the BLS:
Average Medical Assistant Salaries in Columbus Metro Area
$36,800 per year
With just 9-24 months of specialized schooling, medical assistants enter living-wage healthcare careers helping people during perhaps their most vulnerable moments.
The accelerating jobs outlook certainly adds appeal, but the immense emotional and social rewards attract passion-driven candidates seeking careers injecting compassion into clinical settings.
Choosing the Best Medical Assisting Program In Columbus
Columbus offers an impressive breadth of accredited medical assisting programs through community colleges, dedicated career colleges and technical institutions:
Diploma & Certificate Programs
Condensed 9-12 month courses focused specifically on medical assisting skills. Upon completing required coursework and clinical hours through an externship, graduates earn a diploma or certificate qualifying them to sit for MA certification examinations. Ideal for those seeking efficient preparation for MA roles.
Duration: 9-12 months
Program Types:
- Medical Assisting Diploma Programs
- Medical Assisting Certificate Programs
Example Columbus Schools: Hondros College, Fortis College, Ohio Medical Career College
Associate Degree Programs
Offered at community and junior colleges, associate degrees blend MA curriculum and general education over 2 years. Graduates earn an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree qualifying them for clinical MA positions while also providing credits to transfer towards a bachelor’s program. Great for students interested in advanced medical roles down the road.
Duration: 2 years
Program Type:
- Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting
Example Columbus School: Columbus State Community College
While time and cost investments differ across program types, every reputable medical assisting program emphasizes hands-on practical experience through lab simulations and intensive clinical externships alongside classroom theory.
This focus on tactile learning allows students to bridge the classroom-to-clinic gap and hit the ground running in live healthcare settings after graduation.
Key Factors Choosing Your Medical Assisting Program
With quality options abound in Columbus, leveraging the following factors helps narrow your search:
Accreditation
Attending an accredited program verifies educational quality and standards were met. Two organizations accredit medical assisting programs:
- ABHES – Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools
- CAAHEP – Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
Graduating from an ABHES or CAAHEP-accredited program allows sitting for the respected CMA certification exam immediately after completing studies.
Comparatively, only 43% of graduates from non-accredited programs pass the CMA on their first attempt.
Career Support Resources
Robust career service departments assist graduates with resume/cover letter writing, interview skills, job referrals and listings exclusive to alumni. These services can prove invaluable when seeking that crucial first employer after school.
For example, Hondros College provides graduates access to over 500 pre-screened job openings in Ohio exclusively through their alumni network.
Hands-On Training Focus
With dedicated medical lab environments mimicking professional facilities, students gain practical application of administrative and clinical skills for total job readiness. Complementing simulations, external clinical placements acquaint students with realities of thriving in clinical roles.
Faculty
Instructors should have real-world medical experience educating the next generation of medical assistants through an encouraging approach. Smaller class sizes allow personalized coaching and feedback.
Flexible Learning Options
On-campus or hybrid online programs allow choosing the learning format best suited to your work/life demands and personal learning preferences.
Analyzing dimensions like accreditation, career networks and hands-on focus equips you to select a top-value training option in Columbus tailored to your individual needs.
What Will I Learn While Earning My Medical Assisting Degree?
While certain courses vary across Columbus medical assistant programs, expect core competencies centered around:
Administrative Responsibilities
- Electronic Health Records Systems
- Medical Terminology
- Health Insurance Procedures & Billing
- Office Administration & Management
- HIPAA, OSHA and other Regulatory Compliance
Clinical Duties & Competencies
- Anatomy, Physiology & Human Diseases
- Specimen Collection & Analysis
- Administering Injections & Immunizations
- Infection Control & Sterilization
- Vital Signs Monitoring
- Conduct Patient Histories & Exams
- Diagnostic Testing
Reputable programs also incorporate:
- First Aid & Emergency Preparedness
- Pharmacology Fundamentals
- Medical Law & Ethics
This diverse skill set allows medical assistants to adeptly manage hybrid administrative/clinical responsibilities required in most healthcare settings.
While juggling this broad spectrum of critical duties may seem daunting initially, embracing this variety is precisely what attracts certain personalities to medical assisting roles.
What Will My Medical Assisting Externship Involve?
The externship component embedded into accredited medical assisting programs provides invaluable on-the-job training under a seasoned mentor. Exposing students to realities of thriving in clinics and medical offices is a defining hallmark of top-tier programs.
Externships generally run 160-200 hours enabling rotational exposure across various aspects of medical assisting. Under close supervision by departmental personnel, externs refine clinical and administrative skills through indispensable hands-on engagement.
How Much Does Medical Assisting School Cost in Columbus?
The accelerated pace of medical assisting programs provides affordable pathways to healthcare careers compared to degrees like nursing or physician assistants. By forgoing expensive general education requirements, programs focus intensely on job-specific medical assisting competencies.
Here are typical costs based on program types:
Diploma/Certificate Programs
- Tuition: $11,000 – $15,000
- Additional Supplies/Fees: $500 – $1,000
- Total Cost Range: $11,500 – $16,000
9-12 month length
Associate Degree Programs
- Tuition: $8,000 – $10,000
- Additional Supplies/Fees: $2,500 – $3,000
- Total Cost Range: $10,500 -$13,000
2 year length
Leaner focused diploma/certificate options lasting under one year provide the most targeted (and affordable) path maximizing ROI on your education investment.
Just ensure accredited status when evaluating these shorter-duration programs.
Financial aid and scholarships provide options to reduce out-of-pocket expenses and graduate debt-free. For example:
- Federal Pell Grants
- Ohio College Opportunity Grants
- Medical Assisting Scholarships
Now that you understand medical assisting roles, training options, and career outlooks in Columbus, where exactly should you enroll?
While individual situations differ, a trio of exceptional institutions provide ideal launchpads:
Top 3 Medical Assisting Programs in Columbus
1. Hondros College
With an impressive 94% graduate employment rate, Hondros College in Westerville prepares students for medical assisting success through a balanced curriculum of lab learning, hands-on clinical practice and job-focused development.
Program Highlights:
- 160-hour clinical externship experience
- 89% first-time pass rate on RMA certification exam
- Alumni support with career fairs, resume workshops
Cost: $13,888
Duration: 10 Month Diploma
Format: On-Campus or Hybrid Online
Apply to Hondros College Medical Assisting Diploma Program
2. Fortis College
The Columbus campus of Fortis College offers an intensive 9-month medical assisting diploma program equipping graduates with administrative, clinical and professional skills for employability in clinics across Ohio.
Program Highlights
- 190-hour hands-on externship rotation
- Eight student-focused career prep workshops
- Externship opportunities at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
Cost: $16,572
Duration: 9 Month Diploma
Format: On-Campus
Apply to Fortis College‘s Medical Assisting Program
3. Columbus State Community College
With options for part-time or full-time study, Columbus State Community College offers a 2-year associate degree providing comprehensive allied health education coupled with broad-based general learning for those seeking higher level medical roles down the road.
Program Highlights:
- Curriculum spans medical administrative and clinical competencies
- 200-hour clinical externship experience
- 85% CMA first-time exam pass rate
Cost: $5,580 In-District; $10,812 Out-of-District
Duration: 2 Year Associate Degree
Format: On-Campus
Apply to Columbus State‘s Medical Assisting Program
While the short-term diploma pathway certainly provides efficient entry to healthcare roles after about one year of studies, some may favor complementing their practical MA skills with more interdisciplinary knowledge that associate programs offer.
How Do I Become a Certified Medical Assistant?
While not universally required, attaining certification demonstrates competency and enhances optics with employers. Two prominent certification options exist:
CMA – Certified Medical Assistant (AAMA)
Offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants, the CMA requires passing an exam assessing knowledge across administrative, general and clinical areas.
Eligibility requires graduating from a post-secondary medical assisting program within past 5 years.
RMA – Registered Medical Assistant (AMT)
Controlled by the American Medical Technologists registry, the RMA focuses purely on clinical skills/knowledge.
Eligibility requires completion of an accredited MA program or 5 years field experience. Some states may require the RMA designation.
Certification exams run $120-$240 with renewal every 60 months through continuing education.
Many employers cover exam costs understanding certified MA‘s value. For instance, OhioHealth offers $1,000 in exam reimbursements recognizing certified MA‘s deliver better patient outcomes.
Check specific health systems‘ compensation policies.
How Can I Excel In My New Medical Assisting Career?
Launching an allied healthcare career brings exhilaration but also anxieties adjusting to the realities of patient care.
Medical assistants enjoy the enviable opportunity to directly improve outcomes through compassionate support. But as relative newbies, how exactly can you excel?
Embrace Role Diversity
Avoid compartmentalizing duties as solely clerical or clinical. Find personal fulfillment tackling the spectrum of critical responsibilities medical assistants adeptly juggle.
Exude Professionalism
From prompt attendance to tidy scrubs and positive attitude, outward professionalism establishes credibility with colleagues and patients.
Ask Questions
Forget foolish consistency. Developing proficiency across novel tasks happens through humble inquisitiveness. Seasoned nurses appreciate curiosity and asking for direction.
Understand The "Why"
Rote task performance has minimal meaning without grasping context. Knowing why procedures or workflows matter keeps you invested when routine work arises.
Consider Specialization
With experience, consider added MA credentials in specialized areas like ophthalmology, podiatry or phlebotomy for salary bumps.
Keep Learning
Lifelong learners evolve along with best medical practices. Continue reading trade journals and consider teaching opportunities to mentor future generations.
The most successful medical assistants embrace role diversity with perpetual willingness to learn and grow. Consistently applying compassion towards patients and colleagues will earn respect as a pivotal member of your healthcare team.
Get Started With a Fulfilling Medical Assisting Career in Columbus!
For those desiring hands-on healthcare careers, medical assisting offers immense emotional and economic rewards without the extensive demands of nursing or physician training.
And with supportive medical assistants in hot demand as Columbus‘ healthcare ecosystem expands, embarking on this allied health journey today provides incredible job stability unlikely to abate for decades to come.
The graduates quoted below summarize why this profession brings such fulfillment:
"I genuinely enjoy the patient interaction. While assisting with clinical tasks, I‘m also comforted knowing my administrative skills directly enable physicians to maximize their patient load." – Maria D, CMA
"The rapid pace keeps me engaged. And knowing my competency helps the office operate, which ultimately improves patient experiences." – Jerome P, RMA
"I‘m doing work I know makes a difference. And the role still leaves time for family while providing good wages." – Sandra K, Multi-Specialty MA
Now that you‘ve got the facts around medical assisting careers, from typical wages to projected outlooks, the pieces are in place to make an informed training decision.
Reach out with any remaining questions – I‘m always glad to help point prospective students towards this rewarding career path that direly needs compassionate professionals like you!
Jill Naughton
Director of Career Services
Fortis College, Columbus