What is a Medical Office Assistant?
A medical office assistant performs the expected duties of an office assistant and some added duties that come with working at a healthcare facility. Depending on the specific job title, this may include both clerical and clinical duties. Read on to learn more about the job duties and economic outlook for this profession.
Job Overview
Medical office assistants are known by a variety of titles, including medical secretary, medical administrative assistant, medical assistant, medical office receptionist, clinic clerk, and clinical assistant. The specific title often depends on the type of healthcare facility and whether the job includes clinical or laboratory responsibilities.
<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutMedicalOfficeAssisting">Important Facts About Medical Office Assisting</h3><p></p><table border="1"><tr><td> Professional Certification </td><td> Available in the form of the Certified Medical Assistant, Registered Medical Assistant, National Certified Medical Assistant, Certified Clinical Medical Assistant, and Certified Medical Administrative Assistant</td></tr>
<tr><td> Key Skills </td><td> Analytical, technical, and detail oriented skills</td></tr>
<tr><td>Work Environment </td><td> Doctors' offices, dentists' offices, hospitals, nursing homes, and public health agencies</td></tr>
<tr><td> Similar Occupations </td><td> Dental Assistant, Nursing Assistant, Pharmacy Technician, Medical Records and Health Information Technician</td></tr>
</table><h3 id="section---ClericalDuties">Clerical Duties</h3><p>Medical office assistants perform such clerical duties as filing, answering phones, scheduling appointments, submitting insurance forms, collecting payments, basic bookkeeping, arranging hospital admissions, and interacting with patients. In addition, they may be required to learn medical transcription and coding.
</p><h3 id="section---ClinicalDuties">Clinical Duties</h3><p>Some medical office assistant assumes responsibilities beyond the usual office procedures, such as taking patients' vital statistics and medical histories, preparing examination rooms, and entering data on patient charts. They may also perform certain laboratory tests, assist with patient examinations, and sterilize instruments. Assistants who perform clinical or laboratory duties often have some academic background in healthcare, but many learn such duties on the job.
</p><h3 id="section---EducationAndTraining">Education and Training</h3><p>Educational requirements for medical office assistants vary. While it is possible to enter the field with only a high school diploma, formal education and on-the-job training are generally required. Medical assistants generally need to complete a certificate or diploma program that includes both coursework and laboratory experience. In addition, medical assistants have to complete an exam to perform advanced tasks in some states. Medical secretaries usually need to complete some training to introduce them to medical terminology.
</p><h3 id="section---JobOutlookAndSalaryInformation">Job Outlook and Salary Information</h3><p>According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, (<i>www.bls.gov</i>), medical assistants earned an annual median salary of $37,190 in May 2021. Employment opportunities for medical assistants are projected to grow by 16% from 2021 to 2031, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. Physicians will hire more professionals due to the foreseen increase of aging individuals who will continue to demand preventive medical services.</p>