Medical office specialist is an umbrella term that covers a variety of medical office functions, from administrative tasks to the technical work of medical coding. Medical office specialists often hold professional certification or a degree from a two-year college or technical school.
Career Overview
The job of medical office specialist varies by health care facility. In smaller offices, a medical office specialist may be called on to perform all of the following tasks, while in larger facilities, the medical office specialist may handle just a few, including the following:
- Assist in the lab or patient treatment areas
- Assist with insurance submissions
- Handle billing
- Order and renew prescriptions with pharmacies
- Schedule appointments
- Take dictation and transcribe recordings
- Update and organize patients' records
<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutThisOccupation">Important Facts about this Occupation</h3><p></p><table border="1"><tr><th> </th><th>Medical Records and Health Information Technicians</th><th>Medical Transcriptionists</th></tr>
<tr><td>Median Pay (2021)*</td><td>$48,310</td><td>$34,220</td></tr>
<tr><td>Job Outlook (2021-2031)*</td><td>7%</td><td>-7%</td></tr>
<tr><td>Key Skills</td><td>Analysis, integrity, interpersonal communication, attention to detail, computer skills</td><td>Computer skills, critical thinking, listening, time management, writing</td></tr>
<tr><td>Certification/Licensing</td><td>Professional certification preferred by employers</td><td>Available, voluntary</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
</i></p><h3 id="section---AreasOfExpertise">Areas of Expertise</h3><p>A medical office specialist may be known by a variety of titles, depending on the specialist's particular area of expertise. Some of these specialties require additional training or certification. Job titles that may apply to a medical office specialist are as follows:
</p><ul><li>Medical Receptionist/Assistant/Administrative Secretary
</li><li>Medical Billing/Claims Analyst
</li><li>Medical Coder
</li><li>Medical Transcriptionist
</li></ul><h3 id="section---EducationAssociateSDegree">Education: Associate's Degree</h3><p>Students pursuing an associate's degree as a medical office specialist often choose to concentrate in specific areas, such as coding or transcription. Coursework leading to an associate's degree for medical office specialists covers the following topics:
</p><ul><li>Advanced medical terminology, coding, and transcription
</li><li>Psychology
</li><li>Medical ethics and legal issues
</li><li>Pharmacology
</li><li>Health information management
</li></ul><h3 id="section---Certification">Certification</h3><p>Some schools offer programs leading to certification as a medical office specialist. Such certification indicates that the medical office specialist has completed coursework and training in the following areas:
</p><ul><li>Medical terminology
</li><li>Bookkeeping and accounting for medical facilities
</li><li>Health insurance claims and coverage
</li><li>Government health care regulations
</li><li>Medical coding</li></ul>
