How Much Do Medical Office Assistants Make?

How much do medical office assistants make? This is a question that is often asked by those considering a career in this field. The answer, like most things in life, is that it depends.

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Job description

Medical office assistants handle a variety of administrative tasks in healthcare facilities. They work directly with patients and provide customer service, schedule appointments, process insurance claims, code medical records and file paperwork.

Most medical office assistants have at least a high school diploma, although some jobs may require postsecondary education, and all medical office assistants must complete on-the-job training. Many medical office assistants have certification from professional organizations such as the National Healthcare Association or the American Association of Medical assistants

Duties

Medical office assistants, also called medical secretaries, perform a variety of administrative duties in medical offices and clinics. Their responsibilities include answering phones, scheduling appointments, verifying insurance coverage, and billing patients. They also may handle Medical records prepare patients for examinations, assist physicians during examinations, and transcribe physicians’ orders.

Qualifications

Qualifications for medical office assistants vary by employer, but most require at least a high school diploma. Many employers prefer to hire candidates who have completed a postsecondary education program in medical office assisting. Some community colleges, vocational schools, and private career colleges offer these programs, which typically last one year or less. Although not required, certification may help candidates demonstrate their proficiency in medical office procedures and coding to potential employers.

Salary

medical office assistants make a salary that can be anywhere from $30,000 to $50,000 per year. This number will depend on the hours that you work, as well as the amount of experience that you have in the field.

Job outlook

The job outlook for medical office assistants is positive. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment in this field will grow by 29 percent between 2016 and 2026, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.

Training

Most medical office assistants have at least a high school diploma, although some positions may require postsecondary education, and most medical office assistants complete a brief period of on-the-job training. Some community colleges and technical schools offer programs in medical office assistance that can last from several months to 2 years and that lead to a certificate or an associate degree These programs typically include courses in computer usage, transcription, insurance billing and coding, anatomy, and Medical Terminology Some programs also offer an externship, giving students the opportunity to apply their skills in a real-world setting.

Certification

While certification is not required for medical office assistants, some employers prefer or require certification. The American Medical Technologists (AMT) and the National Healthcare Association (NHA) both offer voluntary certification for medical office assistants. To earn either credential, candidates must successfully complete a written exam. The AMT also has a clinical skills component for its certification. In addition, some states have certification programs for medical office assistants.

Advancement opportunities

In addition to the possibility of specializations and management opportunities, medical office assistants may advance their careers by becoming certified. Although certification is not required to work as a medical office assistant, some employers prefer or require certification. To qualify for certification, candidates must have completed an accredited program and pass an exam.

Key skills

Key skills for medical office assistants include clerical abilities, such as typing, scheduling, and billing; customer service skills, such as interpersonal communication and bedside manner; and organizational skills, such as maintaining filing systems. Medical office assistants may also be responsible for handling confidential patient information. They should have the ability to keep this information private and understand the importance of doing so.

Working conditions

Medical office assistants (MOAs) work in a variety of settings, including medical offices, clinics, hospitals and other health care facilities. They may be required to work evenings or weekends to accommodate the hours of operation of their facility. Many MOAs are members of a team that provides patient care and administrative support services.