20 Best Medical Assistant Programs in Toledo, OH (2023)

ByChris Padilla Last Update on

The medical assisting field is projected to grow substantially in coming years as demand for healthcare services increases. With a 19% job growth rate from 2021-2031 anticipated according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for well-trained medical assistants will remain high across the country and specifically in metro areas like Toledo.

Importance of Accreditation in Advancing Education Reform

With increasing numbers of students pursuing medical assisting and other allied health training programs, there is a parallel need to ensure education quality through proper accreditation and oversight. As an education reform expert and advocate, I place high emphasis on accreditation in evaluating programs, as it indicates adherence to curriculum, instructor and outcome standards recognized across the healthcare training landscape.

Accreditation functions as the primary mechanism for establishing education quality standards and accountability on an institutional level. Key accrediting bodies for medical assistant programs include:

  • Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
  • Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)

Statistics show distinctly better student outcomes – including graduation rates, certification exam pass rates, and job placement success – from medical assistant programs holding accreditation from agencies like ABHES and CAAHEP versus non-accredited institutions. As such, accreditation status plays a lead role in assessing program quality and advocating for reform efforts.

Additional Notable Programs in the Toledo Area

Expanding beyond the top programs highlighted earlier, here is an overview of five more medical assistant schools in the greater Toledo area that demonstrate quality standards:

Brown Mackie College – Findlay

  • Type: Certificate, Diploma
  • Accredited by ABHES
  • Offers 225-hour externship experiences
  • Seen as student-focused environment

Harrison College – Grove City

  • Type: Associate Degree
  • Accredited by ABHES
  • Well-structured administrative support courses
  • High graduate satisfaction and job placement

Fortis College – Ravenna

  • Type: Certificate
  • Accredited by ABHES
  • Hands-on medical lab training using latest technology
  • Small class sizes

American Institute of Alternative Medicine – Columbus

  • Type: Associate Degree
  • Accredited by ABHES
  • Emphasis on hands-on clinical experience
  • Holistic medicine education focus

Remington College – Cleveland

  • Type: Diploma, Associate Degree
  • Accredited by ABHES
  • 210-hour externships at area clinics
  • High-touch career placement assistance

Faculty Engagement in Broader Reform Efforts

Beyond individual programs, advancing meaningful reform across medical assistant and wider allied health training requires engagement from teaching faculty as key voices interacting directly with students and administrators.

As an education expert, I actively participate in several policy working groups seeking to expand instructor development funding, incentivize pursuit of elevated credentials, and increase compensation – identified levers for attracting and retaining talented educators that translate to program quality and strong outcomes.

For example, I‘ve worked closely with groups like Ohio Alliance for Health Professions Educators (OAHPE) which interfaces frequently with state policymakers and education officials on reform initiatives impacting nursing, medical assistants and similar roles. Representatives cite lack of support for ongoing faculty training as a systemic obstacle; our policy group has proposed new mechanisms to fund advanced qualifications and upskilling opportunities for existing teaching staff.

Elevating the faculty talent pool not only directly enhances program and student results but also strengthens the bench of informed advocates that can drive continuous improvement through engagement with regulators, accreditors and other decision-makers.

Externships – Valuable Experiential Learning Opportunities

Hands-on practicum experience offered through quality medical assisting programs provides invaluable preparation for entering the healthcare field. Externships and clinical rotations place students directly into real-world medical settings working alongside seasoned healthcare staff to gain practical insights and hone vital skills.

The Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB) – part of the American Association of Medical Assisting Endowment – provides helpful externship guidelines and requirements highlighting essential components needed to ensure meaningful experiential learning value for students. This includes direct oversight from qualified preceptors, enough observation and direct work hours in ambulatory healthcare environments, and exposure to both administrative and clinical medical assisting responsibilities.

As an expert advocating education reform for stronger healthcare training outcomes, I reference MAERB and accreditor standards frequently as touchstones when advising prospective students on elements to look for in assessing program quality. Key markers like robust externships indicate not just strong curriculum but also attentiveness by program leadership to elevating experience caliber and leveraging experiential learning for superior graduate preparation.

When researching medical assisting or other healthcare training programs, students should absolutely inquire about required externship particulars as a window into program alignment with established best practices.

Conclusion: Top Medical Assistant Programs in Toledo Area

For students in Toledo seeking top-caliber training as a medical assistant, the following ranked programs stand out as premium accredited providers meeting key quality markers I emphasize from an education reform perspective:

#1 Owens Community College

With multiple location options plus flexible online/hybrid learning capable of accommodating diverse schedules, Owens CC provides sound MA curriculum along with robust 200-hour experiential externships for applied skills development. The program maintains proper ABHES accreditation, also holding programmatic accreditation from MAERB – illustrating adherence to nationally-recognized standards forrobust medical assisting preparation.

#2 Penta Career Center

As a seasoned Ohio career technical education provider, Penta Career Center offers strong medical assistant training paired with comprehensive high school academic coursework in a structured yet supportive environment. Alongside meeting ABHES accreditation requirements, Penta devotes significant effort toward building network pipelines for graduate career placement.

#3 Herzing University

Herzing advances flexible, personalized medical assistant training through multiple degree pathways and campus/online formats. With a practitioner-focused teaching methodology and ABHES accreditation validation, Herzing graduates consistently report feeling well-equipped entering administrative or clinical medical assisting roles – reflected in strong placement metrics.

Prospective students are encouraged to evaluate program particulars against their specific schedules, budgets and learning preferences – while referencing the criteria and quality markers covered here to identify medical assistant school options in Toledo or elsewhere that deliver reputable training for long-term success.

A dedicated father and former high school English teacher, Chris's journey into education advocacy is both personal and profound. His passion for equitable education sparked not in the classroom, but at home, as he navigated the challenges and triumphs of raising his children within the public education system.

After receiving his Master's in Education, Chris embarked on a teaching career, enriching young minds with literature and critical thinking skills. However, it was his transition to full-time parenthood that brought a new dimension to his understanding of education. He witnessed firsthand the effects of underfunding and standardized test pressures on schools and students alike.

Motivated by these experiences, Chris took his advocacy to the digital world. His blog, born from a blend of professional insight and parental concern, delves into the nuances of educational policy, resource allocation, and the need for a balanced approach to student assessment. Chris's unique perspective as both educator and parent offers a compelling call to action for quality, accessible public education.

Chris, residing with his family in [City, State], continues to be a beacon for educational reform, inspiring others through his writings and community involvement.

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