What Are the Duties of a Medical Administrative Assistant?

Health care is a rapidly growing field. As the baby boomer population ages, the need for medical services will continue to rise. Medical Administrative Assistants perform a variety of duties to keep the office running smoothly. If you are thinking of becoming a medical administrative assistant, here is what you can expect.

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Job Description

Medical administrative assistants are responsible for managing the administrative duties in a medical office. They may work in a variety of healthcare settings, such as hospitals, clinics, or doctors’ offices.

Duties of a medical administrative assistant include answering phones, scheduling appointments, verifying insurance benefits, preparing patient charts, and transcribing medical reports. They may also be responsible for billing and coding, ordering supplies, and handling correspondence.

Medical administrative assistants must be able to multitask and have excellent customer service skills. They should also be proficient in computers and have knowledge of Medical Terminology Many medical administrative assistants have completed postsecondary training programs and have earned certifications from professional organizations such as the National Healthcare Association or the American Association of Medical Assistants.

Duties and Responsibilities

Medical administrative assistants are responsible for a variety of clerical and administrative tasks in a medical office or clinic. Their duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records billing and coding insurance forms, and transcribing doctors’ orders. Some medical administrative assistants also perform basic clinical tasks such as taking patient vital signs or drawing blood. They may also be responsible for stocking exam rooms and ordering supplies.

Most medical administrative assistant positions require at least a high school diploma, though some positions may require postsecondary education or certification. Medical administrative assistants typically complete on-the-job training lasting several weeks to several months.

Skills and Qualifications

Skills and Qualifications
-A medical administrative assistant typically needs to have a high school diploma or equivalent, although some jobs may require additional training or certification.
-Most medical administrative assistants have completed a postsecondary educational program that lasted at least one year.
-Programs typically include courses in computer usage, transcription, medical billing and coding, insurance processing, and law and ethics.
-Some programs also include an externship, which gives students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the field.
-Medical administrative assistants should be detail oriented and organized, with good interpersonal skills.
-They should be able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and stay calm under pressure.

Education and Training

A medical administrative assistant is a specialist who provides support to healthcare professionals in a wide range of settings. This can include GP surgeries, hospitals, clinics and other medical facilities. The role is vital in helping to ensure the smooth running of these organisations and the efficient delivery of care.

Education and Training
Most medical administrative assistants have at least a high school diploma, although some positions may require postsecondary education or certification. In terms of training, many medical administrative assistants learn on the job, although there are also a number of formal training programs available. These programs usually last between one and two years and cover topics such as medical terminology, office procedures and computer applications.

Certification

Most medical administrative assistant positions do not require certification; however, some employers prefer to hire those who have completed a certification program. Additionally, certification may offer applicants an edge over others when vying for a position. The Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) credential is the most commonly recognized certification for medical administrative assistants. To earn the credential, candidates must successfully complete a CMAA-approved training program and pass the CMAA exam.

Salary and Job Outlook

Medical administrative assistants are responsible for keeping healthcare facilities running smoothly. Their duties include scheduling appointments, maintaining Medical records billing and coding insurance forms, and transcribing physicians’ reports. Many medical administrative assistants specialize in a particular area of medicine, such as pediatrics or optometry.

Medical administrative assistants must have excellent organizational skills and be able to multitask. They should also be proficient in using computers and have experience with the various software programs used in healthcare facilities. In some cases, medical administrative assistants may be responsible for handling customer service inquiries and resolving complaints.

The median annual salary for medical administrative assistants was $32,850 in May 2017.1 Job prospects are expected to be good for medical administrative assistants, with an projected employment growth of 23% from 2016 to 2026.2

Working Conditions

Medical administrative assistants work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, physician’s offices, clinics and other healthcare facilities. They typically work during regular business hours, although some positions may require evening or weekend hours. Medical administrative assistants typically work in well-lit and ventilated offices. They may be required to sit for long periods of time and use office equipment and computers.

Advancement Opportunities

Medical administrative assistants are the backbone of any medical practice, performing a variety of essential tasks to keep things running smoothly. They may be responsible for scheduling appointments, handling billing and insurance paperwork, maintaining patient records, and answering phones.

With experience, medical administrative assistants may be able to advance to positions with more responsibility, such as office manager or medical biller Some may choose to pursue certification to further their career opportunities.

Key Takeaways

Medical administrative assistants work in healthcare facilities such as medical offices, hospitals, and clinics. They are responsible for a variety of administrative duties, including scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records billing and insurance processing, and handling correspondence.

Education requirements for medical administrative assistants vary by employer, but most positions require at least a high school diploma or the equivalent. Some employers may prefer candidates who have completed a postsecondary training program in medical office administration or who have prior experience working in a healthcare setting.

Medical administrative assistants must be proficient in a variety of computer software programs used in healthcare settings, such as electronic health records (EHR) systems. They must also be able to communicate effectively with patients, families, and other members of the healthcare team.

FAQs

Q: What are the duties of a medical administrative assistant?
A: Medical administrative assistants perform a variety of clerical and administrative tasks in healthcare facilities. They may work in hospitals, clinics, or private practices, and their duties can include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing patients, and handling correspondence. Some medical administrative assistants may also be responsible for transcribing physicians’ orders and preparing patient charts.