Zane State College Brings Accredited Medical Assisting Program to Cambridge

Willett-Pratt Training Center to House Popular Program

Zanesville , Ohio –Zane State College’s Medical Assisting Program will now be available at the College’s Willett-Pratt Training Center in Cambridge.  Students can begin registering as early as fall quarter to take classes for the program, which will lead to an associate of applied science degree in Medical Assisting.  Students will also continue to have the option of pursuing the degree at the College’s Zanesville campus.

The Medical Assisting Program prepares students to become allied health professionals who can take advantage of job opportunities in such arenas as physicians’ offices, clinics, hospitals, and out-patient or ambulatory settings.

Upon completion of the Medical Assisting Program, accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, graduates will be able to:

• Take patients’ vital signs and medical histories

• Perform basic laboratory procedures

• Schedule appointments, receive patients, and manage medical records.

• Take the national board examination, which qualifies graduates to work in all 50 states as a Certified Medical Assistant.

“Job opportunities are abundant in the medical assisting field,” said Dr. Paul Brown, president of Zane State College.  “Once again Zane State College is responding to the needs of the Cambridge community by building a fully equipped, state- of -the- art laboratory to house the Medical Assistant Program at the Willett-Pratt Training Center.  Now, students in Guernsey County will be able to complete our well-established and highly-regarded Medical Assisting Program right in their own community.”

According to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Medical Assisting Technicians constitute one of the fastest growing fields on both a state and national level.  Across the state, a nearly 42% increase in the employment rate is expected between now and 2014.

“This program is a great opportunity for prospective students in the Cambridge area, said Chad Brown, Ph.D., Academic Dean for Health, Public Service & Service Related Programs at Zane State College.  “Now, area students wishing to pursue a Medical Assisting degree can pursue the career they want without making the commute to our campus in Zanesville.”

“There is a real need to provide quality medical programs that can serve as a career ladder for the residents in our community,” said Sally Francis, Associate Dean for Workforce Development, who directs the activities at the Willett-Pratt Training Center.  “Bringing this program to Cambridge supports potential students by eliminating the time and expense of a commute to the campus in Zanesville.  Cutting time and dollars is a bonus as a great number of our students work and have families.”

Students interested in the Medical Assisting Program can call the Zane State College admissions office at (740) 588-1226.

Zane State College is a two-year technical college, located in Zanesville, Ohio, which offers students the opportunity to earn an associate degree while participating in experienced-based learning in their chosen field.  With more than 2,000 enrolled students, Zane State College offers 26 associate degree programs; a post-secondary transfer option; general education, developmental education, and continuing and community education courses, as well as certificate programs and specialized training.  Fall classes begin September 17, 2007.  Registration is going on now. 

Zane State College’s Willett-Pratt Training Center (WPTC) offers flexible and convenient educational opportunities in Cambridge, Ohio.  The 35,000 square foot complex houses traditional classrooms, an interactive video (ITV) classroom, computer labs, a state-of-the-art industrial skills laboratory, and a multi-purpose Learning Resource Center.  Classroom space is also provided for local businesses and organizations, such as the Small Business Development Center, that have partnered with Zane State College to provide services to the area.