Medical Administrative Assistant |
Who Are Medical Administrative Assistants?Is This Program in My Area?What Do Medical Administrative Assistants Do? Medical administrative assistants have many key duties. Medical administrative assistants are in charge of updating patient’s files and medical records and ensuring their correctness. They also complete insurance forms to keep billing records accurate. Medical administrative assistants coordinate hospital admissions and laboratory services for patients and perform tasks general office tasks like answering telephones, greeting patients, handling correspondence, scheduling appointments, and handling billing and bookkeeping. Since medical administrative assistants serve the public they must have a courteous, pleasant manner and be able to ease patient’s concerns. Since they are privy to sensitive information they must respect the confidential nature of an individual’s medical information. Medical Administrative Assistant Training Medical administrative assistant training is available through postsecondary training schools, vocational schools, and community and junior colleges. Training for medical administrative assistant careers usually takes one year to earn a certificate or diploma. Those seeking further medical administrative assistant certification can attend school for an additional year and earn an associates degree. Medical administrative assistant courses cover various topics like medical terminology, typing, medical transcription, recordkeeping, accounting, and insurance processing. Training for medical administrative assistant careers also includes standard office practices, patient relations and service, medical law, and ethics. Accredited programs often include an internship in physicians’ offices, hospitals, or other health care facilities for students to gain practical experience. Medical Administrative Assistant Certification Those seeking medical administrative assistant certification have several options available that vary per state. Accredited schools that offer medical administrative assistant training usually have medical administrative assistant certification programs available that are recognized statewide, or will have information on the various organizations provide certification if available. Medical Administrative Assistant Job Prospects According to the Bureau of Labor medical administrative assistants should find excellent job prospects upon graduation. A majority of them worked for doctor’s offices, medical clinics, public and private hospitals, chiropractors, optometrists and podiatrists and other health practitioners. Other medical administrative assistants worked in outpatient care centers and residential care facilities. Administrative medical assistants have enjoyed career advancements and promotions to office manager or other administration occupations. Medical Administrative Assistant Job Security and Salary The increasing number of medical clinics and hospitals has created an increased demand for certified medical administrative assistants. The Bureau of Labor expects medical administrative assisting jobs to continue to grow another 35 percent over the next eight years. Schools providing medical administrative assistant certification programs are trying to meet this high demand for graduates. Medical facilities are offering wages ranging from $22,000 to $37,000 for those who complete medical administrative assistant training schools. |