What Are the Duties of a Medical Office Assistant?

A medical office assistant is a key member of a medical team, providing support to doctors, nurses, and other medical staff. They perform a variety of administrative and clinical tasks, keeping the office running smoothly and providing quality patient care.

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Job Description

A medical office assistant is a core member of a health care team who is responsible for a variety of tasks. Their duties may vary depending on the size and type of facility they work in, but their goal is always to support the day-to-day operations of the office and help keep things running smoothly.

In most cases, medical office assistants will be responsible for handling both administrative and clinical tasks. On the administrative side, they may be in charge of answering phones, scheduling appointments, filing insurance paperwork, and handling billing and coding. On the clinical side, they may assist the doctor or nurse with patient care, take vitals signs, prepare patients for exams, and give injections.

No matter what their specific duties are, medical office assistants must be able to work well under pressure, juggle multiple tasks at once, and have excellent customer service skills.

Duties and Responsibilities

A medical office assistant is a key member of a healthcare team. They are responsible for providing administrative and clerical support to doctors, nurses, and other medical staff. Their duties may vary depending on the size and type of healthcare facility they work in, but common tasks include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records billing and collections, answering phone calls, and greeting patients.

In larger facilities, medical office assistants may be responsible for more specialized tasks such as transcription, coding, and insurance processing. They may also be responsible for ordering supplies and managing the front desk area. Regardless of their exact duties, medical office assistants play a vital role in ensuring the smooth running of a healthcare facility.

Skills and Qualifications

In order to qualify for a position as a medical office assistant, academic prerequisites must first be met. A high school diploma or GED is generally required and some postsecondary education is preferred, although not always required. Office assistants working in a medical setting should have some knowledge of Medical Terminology anatomy, and physiology. In addition, they should be proficient in computer applications and have strong administrative skills. Medical office assistants typically perform the following duties:

Education and Training

A medical office assistant usually needs at least a high school diploma, although some jobs may require postsecondary education, and most positions provide on-the-job training. Some community colleges offer programs in medical office assisting, which typically last 1 year and lead to a certificate. These programs usually include courses in medical terminology, transcription, office practices, and insurance processing.

Salary and Job Outlook

The medical office assistant salary averages $33,610 per year, with a range from $28,860 to $39,490. Your actual salary will depend on a number of factors, including your education, experience, certifications, and the state you work in. In general, medical office assistants in large metropolitan areas will earn more than those who work in smaller cities or rural areas.

The job outlook for medical office assistants is very positive. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the demand for these professionals will grow by 23 percent between 2016 and 2026—much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is due to an aging population and the continued advancement of medical technology. As more medical procedures are performed in outpatient facilities, there will be an increased need for well-trained medical office assistants to handle administrative tasks.

Career Paths

There are many different types of medical office assistant positions, and the duties of each position may vary slightly. Most medical office assistants perform a combination of administrative and clinical tasks. Administrative tasks may include answering phones, scheduling appointments, verifying insurance coverage, and handling billing and collections. Clinical duties may include taking patient medical histories, measuring vital signs, preparing patients for examination, and assisting the physician with procedures. Some medical office assistants also perform minor surgical procedures, such as removing sutures or changing dressings.

Certification

A medical office assistant is a person who performs administrative and clinical tasks in a medical office. They may work in hospitals, clinics, or other health care facilities.

A medical office assistant may be responsible for a variety of tasks, such as scheduling appointments, maintaining Medical records billing patients, and answering patient questions. They may also be responsible for taking vital signs, drawing blood, and performing basic laboratory tests.

In order to become a medical office assistant, most states require certification from an accredited program. Many community colleges offer certification programs that can be completed in one year or less. Some employers may also require certification from the National Healthcareer Association or the American Medical Technologists.

Job Opportunities

Medical office assistants are in demand in a variety of settings, from small clinics to large hospitals. Duties vary depending on the size and type of employer, but generally include administrative tasks such as answering phones, scheduling appointments, handling billing and insurance paperwork, maintaining medical records and performing basic bookkeeping functions. Many medical office assistants also have clinical duties such as taking patient vital signs, preparing patients for examinations, assisting with procedures, and providing instruction on follow-up care.

Job opportunities for medical office assistants are expected to be good. Employment of medical secretaries and administrative assistants is projected to grow 22 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations. An aging population will continue to need medical care, and as the number of physicians and other health care workers increases, so will the demand for medical secretaries and administrative assistants. In addition, as more physicians enter private practice or start their own clinics, they will need additional staff to handle administrative tasks.

Advancement Opportunities

There are many advancement opportunities available to medical office assistants. With experience, medical office assistants may be promoted to positions such as lead medical office assistant or supervisor. Those who have management or administrative experience may be promoted to positions such as practice manager or administrator. Some medical office assistants choose to pursue careers in healthcare administration or management.

Resources

Medical office assistants are integral members of the healthcare team. They are responsible for providing support to physicians, nurses and other medical staff. Their duties vary depending on the size and type of facility in which they work, but they typically include greeting patients, scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, handling billing and insurance matters, and answering patient questions.

In larger facilities, medical office assistants may specialize in a particular area, such as billing or insurance. In smaller practices, they may be responsible for all administrative tasks. Regardless of their specific duties, medical office assistants play a vital role in ensuring that healthcare facilities run smoothly and efficiently.