If you want to launch a career in medical staff services management, you can start by earning an associate's degree online. Keep reading to find out what you can earn in the field, and what kinds of skills you will learn as apart of the degree program.
What Is an Online Associate Degree in Medical Staff Services Management?
Medical staff services managers are beginning-through-advanced administrative professionals. They contribute to patient care by collecting quality data and developing staff guidelines to ensure compliance with accrediting body standards and government regulations. This degree can prepare you for an entry-level position in hospitals, credentialing organizations or managed care companies.
While enrolled in the degree program, you'll learn how to monitor licenses and certifications of medical and allied health sciences professionals. You may oversee peer review and continuing education programs to ensure healthcare quality. With this degree and professional experience in the field, you could become eligible for certification as a Certified Provider Credentialing Specialist (CPCS) through the National Association Medical Staff Services (NAMSS).
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Skills Learned</b></td><td>Peer review, continuing education oversight, quality assurance</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Program Format</b></td><td>Online, hybrid or on-campus</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Career Options</b></td><td>Medical staff coordinator, credentialing specialist, credentialing manager</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Job Outlook (2019-2029)</b></td><td> 32% growth (<i>for all medical and health services managers</i>)*</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---WhereCouldIPursueTheDegree">Where Could I Pursue the Degree?</h3><p>Completely online, partially online and on-campus associate degree programs and continuing education courses are most often available at community colleges and proprietary technical schools. NAMSS and some of its state chapters list online programs and continuing education opportunities on their websites.
</p><p>Associate degree programs in medical staff services include courses such as office administration skills and computer programs. You could also be exposed to credentialing basics, medical accreditations, quality management, trends in health care delivery, medical terminology, legal aspects of health care and health information science.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatCareerOptionsAndPayAreAvailable">What Career Options and Pay Are Available?</h3><p>NAMSS indicates that professionals may have titles such as medical staff services coordinator, credentialing manager or coordinator or credentialing specialist. According to <i>PayScale.com</i>, related median salaries in 2021 were:
</p><ul><li>Medical Staff Coordinator: $53,467
</li><li>Credentialing Specialist: $44,744
</li><li>Credentialing Manager: $62,761</li></ul>
