Medical Assisting

Medical Assisting Overview

The Rhodes State Certificate of Medical Assisting will prepare you as a multi-skilled healthcare professional who is qualified to perform administrative, clinical and laboratory procedures within an outpatient health care environment. We are the only Allied Health profession that teaches both administrative and clinical skills. 

Coursework includes instruction in: Assisting with examination and treatments, performing specimen collection including venipuncture and capillary puncture, performing routine laboratory procedures, electrocardiography, supervised medication administration, ethical/legal issues associated with patient care, utilization of electronic health records, scheduling appointments, coding and processing insurance accounts and insurance billing.

After completion of the certificate, these students are eligible to take the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). For eight years, Rhodes State has earned a 100% pass rate on the CMA exam. The certification program of the Certifying Board of the AAMA is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) and complies with the NCCA Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs.

Scholarship Opportunity 

Rhodes State has been awarded a Choose Ohio First (COF) Scholarship grant by the Ohio Department of Higher Education. The grant provides scholarships to students majoring in disciplines that significantly strengthen Ohio’s competitiveness in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, and Medicine (STEMM) education and industry.

Choose Ohio First

Medical Assisting Highlights

• 100% Pass Rate for 8 years running! Students upon completion of the certificate sit for the Certified Medical Assistant exam offered through the American Association of Medical Assistants, namely the CMA (AAMA). 
• 93% employment rate average for 2018 and 2019 graduates.
• Our track record in the community – Our students get jobs in the area and area employers have continued to give completers high marks!! We are required by accreditation to obtain feedback and surveys consistently receive marks of 4 and 5 (with 5 the highest).
• 100% Satisfaction of our instructors: Resource Surveys consistently demonstrate that “MAT instructors are the best resource!” Rhodes State instructors have over 25 years of experience in the field, both as practitioners and as educators.
• Lower Costs: Rhodes State is at least half the cost of tuition of another MA program in the Lima area. Lower cost means less debt when you are finished!

Medical Assisting Outcomes (based on 2022 Annual Report)

• The exam passage rate for the 2020 graduates is 100%
• The employer satisfaction rate for the 2020 graduates is 100%
• The graduation satisfaction rate for 2020 graduates is 100%

Medical Assisting Program Briefing

Our program briefings are designed to introduce you to the profession, job opportunities, program requirements, and other important information you will need to get started. 

register for a briefing

Career Opportunities 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the “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. Medical assistants work mostly in primary care, a steadily growing sector of the healthcare industry.

Medical Assisting Plan of Study

Professional Licensure Information

Upon successful completion of the medical assisting program, completers are eligible to take the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam offered through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).

Accreditation Information

The Rhodes State College Medical Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program [CAAHEP, upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB)]. Questions regarding accreditation should be directed to: