Medical Assisting

Area of Study: Medical Assisting 
Degree/Certificate:
Associate of Applied Science Degree in Medical Assisting
Certificate of Proficiency in Medical Assisting

About Medical Assisting

Medical assistants (MA) perform routine administrative and clinical tasks to keep physicians’ offices and clinics running smoothly.

Administrative Duties

• Coordinate billing
• Greet patients
• Handle correspondence
• Schedule appointments
• Update medical records

 Clinical Duties

• Assist doctor during appointments
• Perform basic laboratory tests
• Prepare patients for examination
• Take a patient medical history
• Other responsibilities as assigned

This multi-skilled professional is in high demand, as there is a predicted surge in the number of physicians' offices and outpatient care facilities due to technological advancements and the growing number of elderly Americans needing medical treatment. Trends also show a shift in health care toward a more ambulatory environment, and it is in this type of environment that the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) will be needed.

OUTCOME:  The Medical Assisting Program at Cuyahoga Community College has a retention rate of 67% for the admission cohort that entered in 2018, there are a number of support services available to students so that they can successfully complete the program.

OUTCOME:  The Medical Assisting Program at Cuyahoga Community College has a job placement rate of 83% for the 2018 graduates. There are a number of support services to assist in job placement.

OUTCOME: The Medical Assisting Program at Cuyahoga Community College has an exam passage rate of the CMA (AAMA) exam of 78% for the 2018 graduates, which is 10% above the national average.  The CMA (AAMA) is the gold standard certification for Medical Assisting.

Upon successful completion of the course work program, a student is required to complete 210 hours of a supervised, non-paid practicum for program completion.

Medical Assisting (MA) Program

The Medical Assisting program at Cuyahoga Community College was one of the first five Medical Assisting programs to receive CAAHEP accreditation in Ohio. The program includes courses that range from communication skills to ethical and legal standards of medical practice. Students are required to complete a supervised, non-paid practicum which provides hands-on experience that will prove valuable in the workplace. Graduates are eligible to take the national CMA (AMA) examination given by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).

Program Highlights

• Transferable skills to enter health care profession
• Eligibility to receive prestigious CMA (AAMA) gold-standard credential offered by the AAMA
• Nationally recognized and accredited program
• Full- or part-time course scheduling
• Enrollment openings and scholarships for eligible students
• Preparation to make a difference in the lives of others

Program Topics

Administrative procedures	Cardiopulmonary resuscitation	Clinical medical assisting	Human biology
Medical office laboratory procedures	Medical terminology	Nutrition	Phlebotomy/blood collection
Physician office coding	Reimbursement for physician services

Job Titles/Categories

Certified medical assistant	Medical assistant – ambulatory care facility office	Medical assistant – medical office	Medical assistant – outpatient care facility
Medical assistant – physician office	Patient liaison	Patient-centered medical home team member

See which states this program meets licensure/certification requirements.