How Much Does a Medical Office Assistant Make?

If you’re wondering how much a medical office assistant makes, you’re not alone. It’s a common question, and the answer can vary depending on a number of factors. In this blog post, we’ll break down everything you need to know about medical office assistant salaries.

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Job description

A medical office assistant is a multi-skilled allied health professional who performs administrative and clinical tasks in a medical office setting. MOAs work in outpatient clinics, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. They may also work for insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, and other businesses that support the healthcare industry.

MOAs are responsible for a variety of tasks, including greeting patients, scheduling appointments, answering phones, handling correspondence, filing medical records preparing patients for examination, taking vital signs, and assisting the physician with procedures. In some cases they may also administer medication or injectables as directed by a physician.

The job outlook for medical office assistants is positive. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that employment in this field will grow by 23 percent between 2016 and 2026—much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is expected to be driven by an increasing number of aging baby boomers who will need more medical care as they age.

Duties

A medical office assistant is a key member of the medical office team, providing crucial support to doctors, nurses, and other medical staff. Medical office assistants are responsible for a variety of administrative duties, including scheduling appointments, maintaining Medical records handling billing and insurance paperwork, and answering patient questions. They may also be responsible for basic clinical tasks, such as taking patient vital signs and assisting with examinations.

Medical office assistants must be well-organized and detail-oriented, with excellent communication and customer service skills. Most positions require at least a high school diploma or equivalent, though some employers may prefer candidates with postsecondary training or certification in medical office assisting. With experience, medical office assistants may advance to positions with greater responsibility, such as practice manager or medical transcriptionist

Qualifications

Qualifications for medical office assistant positions vary by employer, but most require postsecondary education, such as a medical office assistant certificate or diploma from a community college, technical school or vocational school. Many employers also prefer candidates with experience working in a medical office. Some larger employers may require certification from a professional organization, such as the American Medical Technologists or the National Healthcare Association.

Training

The median annual wage for medical secretaries was $35,760 in 2016. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $24,940, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $50,870.

Salary

The median annual wage for Medical assistants was $34,800 in May 2017. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $25,710, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $49,610.

Job outlook

The medical office assistant job outlook is positive. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the number of medical office assistant jobs will grow by 29 percent between 2016 and 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is due to an aging population and a growing emphasis on preventive care. As a medical office assistant, you can expect to earn a median salary of $32,480 per year, or $15.62 per hour.

Pros and cons

Medical office assistants are in charge of performing clerical duties in healthcare facilities. They maintain medical records schedule appointments, and deal with insurance companies. Although their duties are not as hands-on as those of other medical professionals, they play an important role in keeping the office running smoothly.

The pros of being a medical office assistant include having a stable job with good benefits and flexible hours. The cons include dealing with sick people and working in a demanding environment. The average medical office assistant make around $15 per hour, or $30,000 per year.

Working conditions

Medical office assistants work in a variety of settings, including doctor’s offices, health clinics and hospitals. They typically work Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Some medical office assistants may be required to work evenings or weekends to accommodate the needs of their patients.

What to expect

Medical office assistants are integral members of the medical team who perform a variety of administrative and clinical tasks. They may work in hospitals, clinics, physician’s offices, or other healthcare facilities.

Due to the nature of their work, medical office assistants must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. They must be able to effectively communicate with patients, families, and other members of the healthcare team. In addition, medical office assistants must be able to multitask and juggle multiple priorities. They must also be detail-oriented and organized.

Medical office assistants typically have an associate’s degree or certificate from a community college or vocational school. Some employers may require certification from a professional organization such as the American Association of Medical Assistants or the National Healthcare Association.

In terms of salary, medical office assistants make a median annual salary of $33,610, or $16.19 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Salary can vary depending on experience, location, and other factors.

Advancement opportunities

Medical Office Assistants may advance to positions such as medical records technician, medical billing and coding specialist, or office manager. With additional experience and education, some MOAs may become licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, or physician assistants. MOAs who complete a bachelor’s degree in another field may find opportunities in health administration or as a health informatics specialist.