Medical Office Assistant

A Medical Office Assistant is an administrative employee who works within the healthcare field. They typically work in the office setting, performing clerical tasks and in many cases, client/patient interactions with healthcare professionals and/or facilities. They are not involved in the clinical aspects of healthcare and do not participate in patient care.

Medical Office Assistant: Job Responsibilities

The job responsibilities of Medical Office Assistants vary, from one employment setting to the next, due to differing employer needs and preferences. However, there are some standard basic duties that most will be responsible for, which include:

• Greeting and checking-in patients
• Recording patient histories and personal information
• Collecting co-pays and other fees from patients
• Recording and verifying patients’ insurance details
• Preparing and maintaining electronic and paper health records and other files
• Scheduling patient appointments
• Assisting patients with referrals
• Managing daily phone and electronic communications
• Assisting in accounting, and billing processes
• Filling out and managing health insurance forms
• Discussing insurance and/or billing issues with patients

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Common Employment Settings for Medical Office Assistants

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook, most Medical Office Assistants are employed by physicians’ offices. State, local and private hospitals also commonly employ these workers. Other common employment settings are clinics, outpatient care centers, long-term care facilities, rehabilitation centers, insurance companies and the offices of chiropractors and many other types of health care providers.

Medical Office Assistant: Career Outlook

The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook groups Medical Office Assistants and Clinical Medical Assistants under a single category - Medical Assistants. The agency predicts a 29 percent increase in employment for this occupational category between the years 2016 and 2026, a rate of job growth that is much faster than average as compared to all occupations.

BLS bases their projections for rapid job growth in this field on several factors. Among the most important of these, is the aging of the very large Baby-Boom generation, which is expected to continue to increase demand for preventive medical services.

Since these services are most often provided by physicians, and these professionals are the largest employers of Medical Office Assistants, their increasing workload is expected to increase demand for these workers. Additionally, the increased demand for medical services is expected to lead to an increase in the number of group practices, clinics and other health care facilities in operation over the coming years. This will also increase demand for healthcare support workers, including Medical Office Assistants.

It is important to note that while this information can help readers in exploring the potential of certain occupations, job market data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Handbook is only intended to provide insight on occupational opportunities. It is not to be construed as a guarantee of salary or job title. Neither BLS nor Bryant & Stratton College can guarantee employment as a Medical Office Assistant or in any other occupational field.

How to Become a Medical Office Assistant

To become a Medical Office Assistant, you will need an education in the field. Enrolling in the Medical Office Assistant diploma program at Bryant & Stratton College is a great way to get started. This program has a great deal to offer to those wanting to pursue a career as a Medical Office Assistant. It provides a career-focused, well-rounded education in the clerical, administrative, managerial, technological, interpersonal, and communication skills vital to success in this position. Students will graduate with the ability to help build strong patient/provider relationships, and the skills to apply records management and scheduling skills according to industry standards and perform organizational and clerical duties efficiently.

What can I do with a Medical Office Assistant Diploma?

Earning the Medical Office Assistant diploma will provide you with the skills and credentials you need to begin building a career as a Medical Office Assistant. It will also help you qualify for a variety of entry-level administrative positions throughout the healthcare and health insurance industries, including Medical Secretary and Office Assistant, among other front-office and administrative roles. Finally, graduating from this program can provide a head start for those who are planning to continue their education after they get their foot in the door of field of healthcare administration. All credits earned through Bryant & Stratton’s Medical Office Assistant diploma program can be transferred to the Medical Administrative Assistant associate degree program.

Additional Training/Requirements

training to become familiar with the policies and procedures of their specific workplace. Prospective new hires may be required to undergo criminal background checks and drug testing in order to qualify for employment in some job settings.

For more insights into pursuing a career as a Medical Office Assistant or in any other role within the healthcare administration field, please visit career services section of the Bryant & Stratton college website. By exploring the blog and our website, you are sure to find a lot of useful information to help you as you plan your path towards a successful, satisfying new career.