Medical Assisting Diploma
About the Diploma
Medical assistants are multi-skilled allied health professionals specifically educated to work in ambulatory settings performing administrative and clinical duties. The practice of medical assisting directly influences the public’s health and well-being and requires mastery of a complex body of knowledge and specialized skills requiring both formal education and practical experience that serve as standards for entry into the profession.
Well-balanced instruction in business skills and medical procedures enables the graduate to assist the physician in routine practice. The responsibilities of medical assistants vary, depending on whether they work in a clinic, hospital, large group practice or small private office.
Graduates of the program who desire to work in a clinic, hospital, or large group practice are eligible to take the certification exam for Medical Assistants given by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) in order to be designated as a Certified Medical Assistant.
Special Admissions Requirements
- Due to the limited availability of slots in these programs, admission is competitive.
- OCtech seeks to identify students who can achieve at an appropriate level in the curriculum and diversity among its student population.
Please review carefully: MA Admissions Overview
Health Information Program
To receive an application for this program, you must first complete a Health Information Program (HIP).
Note: Campus-based HIP sessions are temporarily suspended at this time due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Please use the link below to take advantage of our online session to receive your application package.
Online HIP Session
Degrees Available
Special Requirements
Technology Requirements:
This program requires the use of a laptop computer.
Students may purchase one from the OCtech Bookstore or provide their own device. A laptop may be purchased using financial aid or scholarship funds. Students are also encouraged to purchase a support package, extended warranties and/or accidental coverage for their device.
If you have your own laptop, it must
• have a USB port
• be capable of adding a second browser, such as Chrome, Edge or Firefox
• be capable of downloading a free Office 365 license provided by OCtech
• be capable of playing and recording audio and video
Certifications Available
Graduates of the program are eligible to take the certification exam for medical assistants given by the American Association of Medical Assistants, 20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 1575, Chicago, IL, 60606; telephone: (312) 899-1500; www.aama-ntl.org.
Career Outlook
Explore medical assisting careers at CareerOneStop.
FAQs & Additional Information
Quick Facts
Accreditation
The Medical Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB). CAAHEP, 1361 Park Street, Clearwater, FL 33756; telephone: (727) 210-2350; www.caahep.org.
To review accreditation status, please visit the OCtech Program Accreditation/Approval page.
Program Outcomes
| Year | Retention | Graduates | Job Placement | Exam Participation | Exam Passage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 77.78% | 14 | ** | 100% | 64.92% |
| 2017 | 77.78% | 18 | 100% | 100% | 55.56% |
| 2016 | 81.82% | 14 | 92.86% | 92.86% | 76.92% |
The total percentage of students retained from the 2017 admission cohort is 77.78%.
The percentage of program students from the 2017 graduate year who passed the licensure exam is 76.92%.
These outcomes are based on the most recent Annual Report Form submitted to the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB).
**2018 Placement Data is still being verified.
Program Coordinator
Chaka McGee
mcgeeck@octech.edu
803.535.1346
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