What’s the Difference Between a Unit Clerk and a Medical Office Assistant?

The medical field is filled with a variety of different job titles and positions. If you’re interested in working in the medical field, you may be wondering what the difference is between a unit clerk and a medical office assistant. Here’s a quick breakdown of the two positions:

A unit clerk is responsible for a variety of clerical tasks within a medical unit or hospital department. They may answer phones, schedule appointments, file patient records, and perform other administrative tasks.

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Job responsibilities

In general, unit clerks are responsible for managing patient records and providing administrative support to the nursing staff, while MOAs are responsible for providing direct patient care and performing clinical tasks. However, the specific responsibilities of each position can vary depending on the size and type of facility.

Unit clerks typically work in hospitals and other large medical facilities, where they are responsible for managing patients’ medical records They may also be responsible for scheduling appointments, coordinating referrals, and preparing patients’ charts. Unit clerks typically report to a nurse or another member of the nursing staff.

Medical office assistants (MOAs), on the other hand, typically work in smaller medical practices and clinics. In addition to providing direct patient care, they may also be responsible for scheduling appointments, handling billing and insurance paperwork, and stocking supplies. MOAs typically report to an office manager or another member of the administrative staff.

Education and training

Unit clerks and medical office assistants are both important members of the healthcare team, but they have different roles. A unit clerk is responsible for maintaining Medical records and providing clerical support to the nursing staff. A medical office assistant provides administrative support to the practice and may also be responsible for scheduling appointments, billing, and insurance processing.

Unit clerks need to have at least a high school diploma or equivalent, although some positions may require postsecondary education, such as an associate’s degree in medical office administration. Medical office assistants usually need to have at least a certificate from a postsecondary medical office assistant program. Some positions may require additional certification, such as certification in medical billing and coding.

Certification

Certification for medical office assistants is not mandatory in all states, but many employers prefer to hire certified candidates. Certification can be obtained through professional organizations such as the National Healthcare Association or the American Medical Technologists. Although certification is not required, it may give applicants an edge when competing for jobs. In addition, some employers may require certification for certain positions.

Salary

When it comes to the medical field, there are a wide variety of positions that support the nurses and doctors who provide direct patient care. Two popular positions in this category are unit clerks and medical office assistants. Although their job duties may overlap in some respects, these two professions are distinct from one another. Here’s a look at the key differences between unit clerks and medical office assistants:

Unit clerks are responsible for managing the administrative side of a hospital unit. This includes tasks such as answering phones, keeping track of patients’ charts, and managing unit schedules. Unit clerks typically work in hospitals, but they may also work in clinics or other healthcare settings. Medical office assistants, on the other hand, primarily perform clerical duties in doctor’s offices, clinics, or other outpatient healthcare facilities. Their duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records billing patients, and handling insurance paperwork.

When it comes to salary, unit clerks tend to earn slightly more than medical office assistants. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for unit clerks was $34,750 in 2018, while medical office assistants earned a median salary of $33,610 during the same time period.

Job outlook

There are many differences between a unit clerk and a medical office assistant. A unit clerk is responsible for maintaining accurate medical records, managing employee schedules, and keeping the unit organized. A medical office assistant is responsible for greeting patients, scheduling appointments, filing insurance forms, and coding medical records. The job outlook for unit clerks is positive, with an expected growth of 9% from 2018-2028, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The job outlook for medical office assistants is also positive, with an expected growth of 11% from 2018-2028.

Pros and cons

Unit clerks and medical office assistants (MOAs) both work in hospitals, but their job duties and responsibilities are quite different. Here’s a look at the pros and cons of each position to help you decide which one is right for you.

Unit clerks are responsible for managing patient records, scheduling appointments, ordering supplies, and performing other clerical tasks. They typically work in the admitting and discharge areas of the hospital.

MOAs, on the other hand, provide direct patient care. They take vital signs, prepare patients for examination, collect laboratory specimens, and perform other medical tasks as directed by the physician. MOAs typically work in outpatient clinics or physicians’ offices.

Both unit clerks and MOAs must be detail-oriented and organized. They also need to be good communicators, as they will be interacting with patients, families, and members of the healthcare team on a daily basis.

So, what are the pros and cons of each position?

Pros of being a unit clerk:
-You don’t need any formal education or training beyond a high school diploma or GED.
-You can usually find a job with little or no experience.
-The job duties are generally less physically demanding than those of an MOA.
-You have regular hours and don’t typically have to work nights or weekends.
-The pay is usually good.
-The job outlook is excellent, with projected growth of 9% between 2018 and 2028.*

Cons of being a unit clerk:
-The job can be stressful at times, especially in high-pressure situations such as when the hospital is short-staffed or when there are critically ill patients who need immediate care.
-You may be required to work overtime on occasion (although this is typically not mandatory).

Pros of being an MOA:
-You can often find a job with little or no experience required.
=The pay is usually good.

Cons of being an MOA:
-You must have at least a high school diploma or GED; some employers may require postsecondary education or training beyond that.
-The job duties are physically demanding; you will be on your feet for long periods of time and may have to lift patients who need assistance moving around (although this will vary depending on your employer’s policies).

-Your schedule may be irregular; you may have to work nights, weekends, or holidays depending on your employer’s needs (again, this will vary depending on your employer’s policies).

Unit Clerk vs. Medical Office Assistant- Which is right for you?

Unit clerks and medical office assistants (MOAs) are both important positions in healthcare. They both require excellent customer service skills, great organizational skills, and the ability to multitask. However, there are some important differences between the two positions.

Unit clerks are responsible for managing patient records and handling communication within a hospital unit. MOAs, on the other hand, work in physician’s offices and are responsible for a variety of tasks such as scheduling appointments, billing patients, and handling insurance paperwork.

If you’re interested in a career in healthcare, both unit clerk and MOA positions can be great options. The best way to decide which is right for you is to learn more about the duties of each position and see which one aligns better with your skills and interests.

Unit Clerk vs. Medical Office Assistant- Key takeaways

-Both positions are responsible for clerical duties in healthcare settings
-A unit clerk often works in a hospital setting while a medical office assistant works in a clinic or doctor’s office
-A unit clerk is responsible for charting patient progress and maintaining medical records while a medical office assistant is responsible for scheduling appointments, billing, and coding
-A unit clerk position may require certification while a medical office assistant position may not

Unit Clerk vs. Medical Office Assistant- FAQ’s

What is a Unit Clerk?
A Unit Clerk is an administrative support worker who works primarily in hospitals, assisting with the organization and running of hospital units. They are responsible for maintaining patient records, scheduling appointments, and providing general clerical support to nurses and other hospital staff.

What is a Medical Office Assistant?
A Medical Office Assistant (MOA) is a health care professional who works in medical offices, clinics, and hospitals. They are responsible for providing administrative support to doctors and other health care providers. This can include tasks such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing patients, and handling correspondence.

What are the differences between a unit clerk and a medical office assistant?
The main difference between a unit clerk and a medical office assistant is the scope of their work. Unit clerks typically work in hospitals, while MOAs can work in any type of healthcare setting. Unit clerks are responsible for maintaining patient records and providing clerical support to nurses and other hospital staff. MOAs provide administrative support to doctors and other health care providers. This can include tasks such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing patients, and handling correspondence.

Which one makes more money?
This largely depends on the geographical region where you work as well as the specific employer. In general, however, MOAs tend to earn slightly more than unit clerks.

Can I do both jobs?
Yes! Many people who work as unit clerks also have training as MOAs (or vice versa). Having training in both areas can make you more attractive to employers and give you more job flexibility.

Unit Clerk vs. Medical Office Assistant- Resources

A unit clerk is an administrative support position in a hospital. They keep track of patients’ medical records, transcribe doctors’ orders, schedule appointments, and assist with billing. A medical office assistant (MOA) is a multi-skilled person who performs both administrative and clinical tasks in a physician’s office. They may also be known as Medical Administrative Assistants or medical secretaries.

Both MOAs and unit clerks are important members of the healthcare team and perform similar duties, but there are some key differences between the two roles. Unit clerks typically work in hospitals, while MOAs work in physician’s offices, clinics, or other outpatient care settings. MOAs may have more direct patient interaction than unit clerks and often perform clinical tasks such as taking patient histories and measurements, preparing patients for examinations, and assisting with procedures. Unit clerks typically do not provide direct patient care but may assist nurses with tasks such as transporting patients and stocking supplies.

If you’re interested in working in healthcare administration, both unit clerk and MOA roles can be great options. To learn more about these positions and decide which one is right for you, check out the resources below.

Resources:
-https://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/medical-secretaries.htm
-https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm#tab-6
-https://explorehealthcareers.org/career/medical-office/unit-clerk/