The Buckeye State needs its medical assistants! Nearly 550,000 Americans work as medical assistants. This means there are more medical assistants in America than surgeons.

Medical assistant jobs in Ohio are a few clicks away. Yet there is no guarantee that you will score a job, even if you are qualified. Before you start applying, you should do a deep dive into medical assistant jobs. 

What is being a medical assistant like? How can you stand out from other applicants? What are some jobs in Ohio like, and where are these jobs located?

Answer these questions and you can secure a terrific job without having to leave your Ohio home. Here is your quick guide.

Medical Assistant Qualifications

Medical assistants perform administrative tasks in healthcare facilities. They record personal information from patients and perform minor tests. They also assist with examinations and prepare samples for laboratory tests. 

Some hospitals distinguish between clinical and administrative assistants. Clinical assistants may run tests and instruct patients on how to care for themselves while administrative assistants handle forms and insurance paperwork. Other assistants specialize in eye care, foot care, or another line of medicine. 

Medical assistants must be able to follow standard procedures. They need to know how to use medical equipment like stethoscopes and blood pressure monitors. They must also know how to interact with patients who are in distress and from different backgrounds.

Ohio does not require assistants to have medical degrees. You can take classes at community colleges as well as online institutions.

Medical Assistant Training

You do not need formal degrees to get medical assistant jobs. But doctors like to hire assistants who have a high school diploma and medical certifications. 

You can receive a certificate through online classes. Medical assistant courses let you learn about taking vital signs and following important regulations. Online courses are self-paced, so you can take them whenever you want. 

Take courses that give you multiple medical certifications. You can get a certificate as an assistant and as a phlebotomist. This makes you seem more qualified for jobs, and it helps you pursue specialized positions.

The Medical Assistant Job Outlook in Ohio

More than 25,000 medical assistants live in Ohio. The annual mean wage for assistants is $35,330, which is more than the wages of pharmacy aides or nursing assistants. 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that nearly 120,000 new assistants will be hired between 2021 and 2031. It’s unclear how many will be hired in Ohio. 

However, Ohio’s employment figures are good. The state added roughly 82,500 jobs between August 2021 and August 2022. This indicates that new assistant jobs will be available in the future.

Ohio’s statistics are similar to those of other states. All Midwestern states have thousands of medical assistants that earn near-identical wages. You can look for opportunities in other states, but Ohio should have enough for your career path.

Some people work as assistants for their entire careers. Others transition and become nurses or physicians. Keep your eye on other jobs in the medical sector as you look for work and think about how you can advance your career.

Medical Assistant Jobs in Ohio

Thousands of medical assistant positions are available in Ohio. Though most are in cities, you can find openings in rural areas. Be open with where you work so you can qualify for many positions.

Cities

Organizations like Central Ohio Primary Care in Columbus need dozens of assistants. You can also find openings with Columbus hospitals like Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Some openings are for people with specialties, so read the job descriptions carefully before applying. 

Columbus is also home to educational institutions like Ohio State University. These colleges have medical centers where students can learn how to practice medicine. While teaching and supervising students, you will help patients, giving you opportunities to develop your teaching and medical skills simultaneously.

Dayton is smaller than Columbus, yet hundreds of openings are available. In addition to hospitals, you can work in community centers and dialysis clinics.

Companies like DaVita have branches in Columbus, Dayton, and other cities. Getting a job with these companies can help you see many parts of the state. 

Cleveland is home to the Cleveland Clinic, one of the largest hospitals in the country. You can work as an assistant in internal medicine, gynecology, and other disciplines. If you prefer to work with young people, Akron Children’s Hospital is looking for assistants to work in schools.

Rural Locations

The North Northeastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area has more than 1,300 medical assistants. The area is located near Lake Erie and Cleveland, though it’s outside the city limits. If you want to get away from the city but don’t want to go too far, you should consider living in this region. 

Many clinics are based in rural Ohio. You can find work at orthopedic centers, ear and eye clinics, and elderly homes. To obtain these jobs, you need to have experience with the services that the clinic offers. 

Even rural hospitals are looking for specialists. Memorial Health System is a network of hospitals in southeastern Ohio. It needs medical assistants in gastroenterology, foot care, and other subcategories. 

This can make it hard to obtain a job if you have very little experience. But as you gain experience, you should consider moving out. Some specialty positions come with sign-on bonuses and perks like medical and dental care.

Getting a Medical Assistant Job in Ohio

Medical assistant jobs in Ohio are the key to a great medical career. As an assistant, you can help patients by running tests and gathering their information. You can take classes online and receive a certificate that others do not have. 

The job outlook in the state is good, especially if you’re looking for work in cities like Columbus. If you go outside of cities, you should have experience in a specialty. Yet these jobs may pay more than urban positions. 

Start your medical assistant journey now. Phlebotomy Career Training provides premium medical assistant classes. Examine our courses today.

Nancy Kimmel, PhD MSN FNP-BC

Nancy L. Kimmel obtained her PhD in Environmental Engineering in 2002, then went on to teach Physics and Mechanical Engineering at Lawrence Technological University, Henry Ford College and Oakland University. She obtained her Associate in Nursing from Henry Ford College and then went on to earn her Master Degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner and became Board Certified working as a licensed FNP in the State of Michigan. She then went on to Medical School where she is now in her 3rd year, and is also in the process of obtaining her Doctorate in Nursing Practice through Chamberlin University. She has authored the NET Study Guide, as well a several books on subjects of Math, ECG/EKG and Phlebotomy. She holds a patent on an Air Filter through the U.S. Patent Office.