What Are the Education Requirements to be a Medical Office Manager?
Although some medical office managers gain the necessary knowledge through on-the-job training, many employers look for aspiring managers who have some experience and a postsecondary certificate or degree. Learn more about degree programs and education requirements below.
Overview of Education Requirements for Medical Office Managers
<p>At smaller medical offices, such as a single doctor's office, the requirements for becoming a medical office manager are typically less stringent, and you can often begin with on-the-job training. For larger medical practices, you usually must hold a certificate or associate's degree in medical office management.
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<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutMedicalOfficeManagers">Important Facts About Medical Office Managers</h3>
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<table border="1"><tr><td> Median Salary (2021) </td><td> $60,590 (<i>for first-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers</i>)</td></tr>
<tr><td> Job Outlook (2021-2031) </td><td> 2% decline (<i>for first-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers</i>)</td></tr>
<tr><td>Key Skills</td><td> Leadership, interpersonal and organizational skills, communication, detail-oriented</td></tr>
<tr><td> Similar Occupations </td><td> Human resources manager, insurance underwriters, social and community service managers</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics </i>
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<h3 id="section---CertificatePrograms">Certificate Programs</h3>
<p>Aspiring medical office managers who have graduated from high school or have a GED can apply to medical office management certificate programs at community colleges and vocational technical schools. You'll receive intensive training focused on medical terminology, billing, financial management, leadership training, health insurance policies and marketing. To earn the certificate, you might need to also complete a practicum on medical coding and meet a certain number of hours.
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<h3 id="section---AssociateSDegreePrograms">Associate's Degree Programs</h3>
<p>Many community colleges that offer health care courses also offer a medical office management associate's degree program. In addition to the certificate-level classes, you'll also take courses in accounting, health care technology, communication, and medical ethics, as well as general courses in English, math, social sciences, management, and conflict resolution. If you're planning to advance into health care administration, this program can usually help fulfill some of the requirements for a bachelor's degree in the subject.
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<h3 id="section---Certification">Certification</h3>
<p>Although you don't necessarily need to receive certification to work as a medical office manager, it can increase your job prospects. The Professional Association of Health Care Office Management (PAHCOM, <i>www.pahcom.com</i>) offers certification as a Certified Medical Manager.
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<p>To be eligible to take the national certification exam, you usually must have three years of experience working in a clinical health care setting or medical office and earn 12 college credit hours in health services or business management. Some of these requirements can be waived if you have additional experience in the field. Upon successful completion of the exam, you'll be certified for two years. To become re-certified, you'll need to complete 24 continuing education units and pay a membership fee.</p>