What Does a Medical Administrative Assistant Do?

A medical administrative assistant is a key player in keeping a medical office or facility running smoothly. They are the first point of contact for patients and handle a variety of administrative tasks.

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Job Description

A medical administrative assistant is responsible for many of the clerical and administrative tasks in a healthcare facility. Their duties can include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records billing and coding insurance forms, and assisting with medical billing They may also be responsible for managing the front desk, answering phones, and greeting patients.

Duties and Responsibilities

A medical administrative assistant is a vital member of any healthcare team. They are responsible for providing support to physicians and other medical staff, as well as managing the day-to-day operations of a medical office.

Some of the duties and responsibilities of a medical administrative assistant include:
-Answering phones and directing calls
-Scheduling appointments and maintaining calendars
-Greeting patients and visitors
-Preparing patient files and medical records
-Billing and coding insurance forms
-Maintaining inventory and ordering supplies
-Preparing correspondence and handling mail

Skills and Qualifications

In order to qualify for a medical administrative assistant role, you will need certain skills and qualifications. Many employers will require you to have a high school diploma or equivalent, although some may prefer that you have some postsecondary education, such as a certificate or associate degree in medical office administration. You will also need to be proficient in computers and have strong interpersonal skills, as you will be working closely with patients, doctors, and other health care providers.

Education and Training

A medical administrative assistant provides support to healthcare professionals by performing clerical duties and managing patient records. assistants typically need to have at least a high school diploma, although some jobs may require postsecondary education, and they must complete on-the-job training. Many administrative assistant positions also require certification.

Salary and Job Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median annual salary for a medical administrative assistant was $36,590 as of May 2016. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $26,290, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $49,540.

The BLS projects that employment for Medical Administrative Assistants will grow by 23 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. The aging baby-boom population will need more medical care, and as a result, there will be an increase in the number of medical offices and clinics. In addition, as more medical practices convert to electronic health records, they will need support staff to help with the new technology.

Career Paths

Medical administrative assistants work in healthcare facilities and perform a variety of tasks to keep the office running smoothly. They may schedule appointments, maintain Medical records bill patients, and handle insurance claims. Some medical administrative assistants specialize in a particular area, such as billing or insurance.

Most medical administrative assistants have at least a high school diploma, although some employers may prefer candidates who have completed a postsecondary training program. Many community colleges and vocational schools offer programs in medical office administration that can be completed in one year or less. Some medical administrative assistants become certified through professional organizations, such as the National Healthcare Association or the American Medical Technologists.

Working Conditions

Medical administrative assistants work in a variety of settings, including doctor’s offices, hospitals, clinics and insurance companies. They typically work during regular business hours, although some positions may require evening or weekend work. The job can be stressful at times, particularly when dealing with sick or injured patients.

What to Expect

Working as a medical administrative assistant is a demanding but rewarding career choice. If you are considering pursuing this field, it’s important to have a realistic understanding of the job so that you can make the best decision for your future. Here’s what you can expect from a career as a medical administrative assistant.

Administrative duties
A medical administrative assistant is responsible for a variety of clerical tasks in a healthcare setting. This may include answering phones, scheduling appointments, filing patient records, and handling insurance paperwork. In larger practices, there may be multiple assistants who specialize in different areas.

Customer service
An important part of the job is providing excellent customer service to patients and their families. This may involve answering questions about insurance coverage, providing directions to the office, and scheduling appointments. It’s important to be able to handle customer inquiries in a professional and courteous manner.

Interacting with healthcare professionals
Medical administrative assistants also interact with other healthcare professionals on a daily basis. This may include physicians, nurses, and other office staff. It’s important to be able to communicate effectively with all members of the team in order to ensure that patients receive the best possible care.

Considering a career as a medical administrative assistant? The above information will give you a good idea of what to expect from the job. If you think this career is right for you, don’t hesitate to pursue it!

Getting the Job

To work as a medical administrative assistant, you will need at least a high school diploma. However, many employers prefer applicants who have completed a postsecondary education program in medical office administration or a related field.

There are many medical administrative assistant programs offered at community colleges, technical schools and online institutions. These programs generally last between one and two years and award a certificate or diploma upon completion. Some medical administrative assistant programs may lead to an associate’s degree.

In addition to completing a medical administrative assistant program, you may also have to obtain certification from a professional organization, such as the National Healthcare Association or the American Association of Medical assistants Although certification is not always required, it may give you an advantage when applying for jobs.

FAQs

1. What does a medical administrative assistant do?
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3. What are the responsibilities of a medical administrative assistant?
4. What is the job outlook for medical administrative assistants?
5. What are the skills needed to be a successful medical administrative assistant?