Give
Medical assisting
Overview
Be the physician’s right hand
As a medical assistant, you’ll help instruct and treat patients as well as handle the administrative procedures needed to keep an office running smoothly. Medical assistants are skilled in connecting with patients and other allied health professionals.
You’ll work alongside physicians in outpatient or ambulatory care facilities, such as medical offices and clinics. Stark State medical assisting students are assigned to clinical sites.
In demand
The number of medical assistants is predicted to grow nearly 20% through 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.*
Chalk that up to a growing recognition that medical assistants – especially certified medical assistants – are the ideal allied health professionals for all types of outpatient settings
*Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Medical assistants are cross-trained to perform administrative and clinical duties.
Administrative duties include
- using computer applications including electronic medical record programs
- answering telephones and greeting patients
- updating and filing patient medical records
- coding and filling out insurance forms
- scheduling appointments
- arranging for hospital admissions and laboratory services
- handling correspondence, billing and bookkeeping
Clinical duties include
- taking medical histories
- explaining treatment procedures to patients
- preparing patients for examination
- assisting the physician during exams
- collecting and preparing laboratory specimens
- performing basic laboratory tests
- instructing patients about medication and special diets
- preparing and administering medications as directed by a physician
- authorizing prescription refills as directed
- drawing blood
- taking electrocardiograms
- removing sutures and changing dressings
The goal of the Stark State College medical assisting program is to prepare competent entry-level medical assistants in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.
Fast track certificate
Students can finish the medical assisting certificate in just three semesters, becoming eligible to take the certified medical assistant – CMA(AAMA) – exam as well as the national exam to become a certified EKG technician.
All classes are held on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday each semester, with day or night programs available. Classes are eight or 10 weeks long. Cohorts begin in the fall on main campus and in spring at Stark State Akron. Students are assigned to clinical sites for training.
Medical assisting program outcomes
2018-2022: 5-year average for exam passage 82.76%
2022: Retention for medical assisting 74.07%
2021: Job placement for medical assisting 100%
2020: CMA exam passage 100%
2019: CMA exam passage 87.50%
2018: Retention for medical assisting 84.38%
Courses
Your pathway to a career
After finishing your medical assisting certificate in three semesters, you’ll be eligible to take the certified medical assistant certification exam and the national certification to become a certified EKG technician.
Medical Assisting Certificate pathway
Additional certificate option
Job outlook
Employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 19 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. The growth of the aging baby-boom population will continue to increase demand for preventive medical services, which are often provided by physicians. As a result, physicians will hire more assistants to perform routine administrative and clinical duties, allowing the physicians to see more patients.
| Quick Facts: Medical Assistants | |
| 2021 Median Pay | $37,190 per year $17.88 per hour |
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical Assistants, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm (visited March 09, 2021).
Additional info
Program learning outcomes
- Display a professional manner and image.
- Recognize and respond effectively to verbal, non-verbal, and written communication.
- Utilize electronic technology to receive, organize, prioritize, and transmit information.
- Perform basic clinical medical assisting duties.
Accreditation
The Stark State medical assisting program is accredited for 10 years (2019-2029) by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB)
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355 – 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
727.210.2350
Stark State College’s medical assisting program is located on main campus at 6200 Frank Avenue NW North Canton, OH 44720 as well as at Stark State College Akron, 360 Perkins St. Akron, OH 44304. 330-966-5458.
According to various sections of the Ohio Law and Regulations for Certification and Licensure Boards, persons convicted of any felony or a misdemeanor may not be accepted into a health program at Stark State College; may not be able to take the licensure or certification examinations; may be refused acceptance of placement by the clinical/practicum sites; or may have restrictions placed on their ability to practice. For more information, contact the dean of student services and the applicable licensure/certification board.
IMPORTANT: Felons are not eligible to sit for the examination unless the Certifying Board (CB) grants a waiver based on one or more of the mitigating circumstances listed in the disciplinary standards.
POLICY: STUDENTS SHALL NOT RECEIVE COMPENSATION/PAYMENT, MONETARY OR OTHERWISE, FROM THE PRACTICUM SITE. PRACTICUMS ARE REQUIRED FOR THE AAS DEGREE IN MEDICAL ASSISTING AND PHLEBOTOMY TECHNICIAN
