Raymond Walters College's Medical Assisting Program Earns Accreditation

The Medical Assisting program at UC's Raymond Walters College has earned accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs

After a year-long self study was submitted by the program's director, the commission judged the MA program to be in compliance with the nationally established standards. The CAAHEP team noted that they were impressed with the curriculum and how RWC's students were trained to such a high level of professionalism and skill.
 
The program, which had to be established at least two years prior to being eligible for the accreditation process, cross-trains students in both front and back office skills, including technical, clinical, and administrative duties. Students leave the program knowing how to draw blood, complete urine and blood tests, assist with minor surgery in the office setting, schedule appointments, process medical bills, and many other medical responsibilities established under the Ohio Medical Practice Act.
 
Currently, there are 40 students in the program, which boasts a 100 percent hiring rate for students who enter the field after leaving the program. An advisory council made up of personnel from local medical offices and medical insurance groups helps the program stay focused on what the job market needs from graduates. Students also earn more than 300 in-office practice hours as "externs" in local physicians offices before leaving the program.

"There are no problems filling jobs," says Associate Professor Rachael Allstatter, program director. "This is a high-demand field. After graduation, many of the students are hired directly into the office where they were externing. When giving their reports on the externship experience, students are often quoted as saying, 'I can't wait to get started.'"
 
A self-study for sustained accreditation will be submitted again in 2009.
 
Raymond Walters College is located at 9555 Plainfield Rd in Blue Ash. For more information on Medical Assisting and other programs at the college, call (513)745-5700.