Medical assistants perform vital clinical and administrative responsibilities, and the number of jobs for medical assistants in Ohio is expected to increase. According to the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services, positions for medical assistants in Ohio will grow more by than 13% through 2030. That growth rate is significantly higher than the 3% that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has projected for all occupations in the country through 2032.
Completing a medical assisting program in Centerville, Ohio, can prepare you to work at healthcare providers in not only Centerville but also nearby Dayton or anywhere in the Buckeye State. Exploring what medical assisting programs offer and the benefits of receiving medical assisting training in Centerville is a good exercise for anyone who wants to enter the medical assisting profession.
What Is a Medical Assisting Program?
Medical assisting programs prepare individuals for entry-level positions as medical assistants. The training that these programs offer parallels the duties that medical assistants perform. Those duties typically fall into two categories: clinical and administrative responsibilities. This dual role makes medical assistants versatile employees, and it differentiates them from other healthcare professionals whose work focuses only on clinical responsibilities.
A medical assistant’s clinical work can include duties such as the following:
Performing phlebotomy procedures
Providing electrocardiogram (EKG) services
Giving patients injections
Preparing samples for lab testing
Helping physicians during patient examinations
A medical assistant’s administrative work can include responsibilities such as the following:
Performing patient billing duties
Completing health insurance forms
Updating patients’ records
Scheduling patients’ appointments
Answering phone calls at a healthcare provider
Individuals can work as medical assistants at a wide variety of healthcare organizations, such as hospitals, doctors’ offices, and outpatient healthcare facilities. Medical assisting is also a good entry-level position in healthcare that gives people exposure to other roles in healthcare that they may want to pursue in the future.
Medical Assisting Program Courses
The courses that students take in a medical assisting program are relevant to working in the field. Unlike four-year college degree programs, medical assisting programs don’t require students to take elective courses that aren’t directly related to working in their chosen profession.
Students in medical assisting programs take courses in subjects such as the following:
Medical terminology
Anatomy and physiology
Clinical procedures
Laboratory procedures
Medical office procedures
Electronic health records (EHRs)
Medical assisting programs also require students to complete externships in which they receive real-world experience in applying their expertise by working at healthcare providers. In addition, students take a certification review and career development course that prepares them to sit for a national certification exam and provides them with skills in areas such as resume and interview preparation.
Medical Assisting Program Length and Requirements in Centerville, OH
The Fortis medical assisting program in Centerville, Ohio, encompasses 36 instructional weeks. People who apply to the program must be high school graduates or the equivalent. In addition, prospective students need to complete a personal information form and have an interview with admissions staff.
The Centerville medical assisting program features both traditional classroom instruction and opportunities for learning in small groups. The program’s 180-hour externship enables students to gain valuable experience working in their field and using the skills and knowledge they have acquired through the program. When they complete the program, students can take advantage of the Career Services Center at Fortis, which offers graduate employment assistance through services such as interview coaching.
Benefits of a Medical Assisting Program in Centerville, OH
Enrolling in a Centerville medical assisting program can position students to take advantage of a number of benefits. For example:
Healthcare is growing in the Dayton area. According to data from Montgomery County, Ohio, (home to Centerville and Dayton), healthcare is one of the fastest growing sectors in the county. This could translate into good employment prospects for individuals who are seeking medical assistant jobs in Dayton, Ohio.
The Dayton area has many healthcare facilities where medical assistants can work. According to the Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association, the Dayton area boasts 29 hospitals and healthcare organizations.
Centerville is conveniently located for students who live in the Dayton area. The Fortis campus in Centerville is only 8 miles from Dayton, and the campus’s location near both I-75 and I-675 makes it convenient for students who live in the surrounding area to commute to class.
Working in healthcare positions in Dayton offers job stability. According to a 2024 report from Livability (a website offering information on places to live), some of the most stable positions in the Dayton economy are healthcare jobs.
The Dayton area has been recognized as a great place to live. In 2024, economic and urban development firm Resonance included Dayton on its list of 100 best American cities. In particular, Resonance cited the city’s cultural offerings, economic development efforts, and convenient location as examples of what makes Dayton an attractive location.
Completing a Medical Assisting Program in Centerville, Ohio, Can Lead to a Rewarding Career
Enrolling in a medical assisting training program in Centerville, Ohio, can be the first step toward a fulfilling career in healthcare. Whether performing important clinical duties or executing administrative responsibilities that keep healthcare providers operating smoothly, medical assistants play a significant role in healthcare.
Individuals who have an interest in completing a medical assisting training program in Ohio can explore the medical assisting program at the Fortis College Centerville campus, just 8 miles south of Dayton, to learn how it can help them achieve their career goals. Offering a comprehensive curriculum that prepares students for entry-level positions, the school can establish the foundation for a meaningful career. Start working toward your career in medical assisting today.
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How Long Does It Take to Become a Medical Assistant?
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