When a patient goes to a healthcare facility, whether it is a small town practice or a regional hospital, their focus is on the nurses, doctors, and other professionals tending to their needs. They might speak briefly to a receptionist or assistant when they have questions, but other than that, they may not interact with the administrative team at all.
However, a healthcare provider’s administrative team is instrumental in ensuring every patient gets the high-quality care they deserve. They maintain vast libraries of records, help patients solve problems with their insurance providers, and carry out all of the day-to-day duties that keep healthcare facilities up and running.
For professionals looking to jump into a medical office administration career, this article provides information on how to get started, potential early-career job opportunities, and the benefits of a medical office administration training program.
What Are the Requirements to Work in Medical Office Administration?
Many positions in medical office administration only require a high school diploma or GED certificate. But professionals in this field need to have a specific blend of soft and hard skills. They must be skilled at being patient, courteous, and informative with patients and maintaining clear communication with their colleagues. They also must have well-developed organizational and planning skills and the ability to pay close attention to details.
Medical office administration professionals typically handle vast amounts of sensitive medical information, so they also must be familiar with:
Medical terminology
Insurance policies
Reimbursement, billing, and coding procedures
HIPAA and other regulations related to patients’ rights and privacy
Technology used to organize and protect electronic health records
Future medical office administration professionals can gain these skills and competencies in a number of different ways. Through the Medical Office Administration training program at Fortis Institute’s Towson, Maryland, campus, they can gain them in as little as 36 weeks.
To enroll in this career-focused diploma program, applicants must:
Have a high school diploma or equivalent
Be 17 years of age
Achieve a minimum score on the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam (SLE)
The SLE is a standardized exam that tests students’ cognitive skills including their numerical and verbal reasoning skills. Applicants who do not achieve the minimum score of 13 can immediately take another version of the exam.
Benefits of Medical Office Administration Training in Maryland
Enrolling in a medical office administration training program is a great way to acquire the skills needed to launch a medical office administration career. The Fortis Institute’s training program in Towson, Maryland, comes with some unique benefits of its own.
Hands-On Training
At Fortis, all medical office administration students participate in an externship. This hands-on learning opportunity allows students to work in a real-world medical office setting, hone their skills, and learn from working professionals. Located near Baltimore, the Towson campus gives students the chance to gain solid work experience in a large, diverse healthcare environment.
Strong Employment Outlook
According to Projections Central, the number of jobs for medical secretaries and similar administrative professionals in Maryland is expected to increase almost 9% from 2022 to 2032. An average of 1,510 job openings are projected to be available each year during that period. This higher-than-average growth indicates that Maryland will likely have ongoing demand for new medical office administration professionals in the coming years.
Professional Certification Opportunities
While medical office administration professionals are not required to hold any specific credential, earning a certification can be a great way to stand out in the job market.
Near the end of their studies, students enrolled in the Medical Office Administration training program at Fortis are eligible to become a certified medical administrative assistant (CMAA) through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). In fact, the cost of the certification exam is included in the cost of the program.
4 Medical Office Administration Careers
Medical office administration is a large field that includes many types of professionals. Following are four entry-level medical office administration career options. Gaining experience in these roles or similar positions can help professionals develop the skills necessary to take on a higher-level position at various types of healthcare organizations.
Medical Office Assistant
Medical office assistants work at medical facilities of all kinds. They are typically charged with performing day-to-day administrative duties such as meeting patients at the front desk, maintaining records, and billing patients and their insurers. They often serve as the link between patients and medical professionals.
Medical Secretary
Medical secretaries often have duties that are similar to those of medical office assistants, but they typically have more experience and higher-level responsibilities. For example, office secretaries often help their employers organize their schedules, ensure staff are following all financial procedures, and manage patients’ records systems. When patients have complex questions, medical secretaries can help them find the right professional to talk to.
Medical Biller or Collector
Medical billers and collectors typically work behind the scenes to ensure their organizations’ finances are running smoothly. They send invoices to patients, work closely with insurance companies, and track all payments coming to and going from their facilities. When patients’ claims are denied by their insurance providers, medical billers investigate the issue and, when possible, find ways to get the patients’ treatment covered.
Insurance Claims Processor
Insurance claims processors work for all types of insurance companies, whether they handle medical, life, car, or homeowners insurance. For those who work for medical insurance providers, their primary duties are to determine whether clients’ claims are covered by their policy, calculate the financial compensation clients are entitled to, and track details about policyholders. This means they often must communicate with both clients and healthcare professionals.
Start Your Career in Medical Office Administration at Fortis
With a curriculum that covers everything from bookkeeping to electronic health records management, the Medical Office Administration training program at the Fortis Institute’s Towson, Maryland, campus can prepare you to take on a variety of roles in the healthcare sector. This program offers evening class schedules, providing flexibility for students with daytime work schedules or family commitments.
To learn more about externships, career development resources, and more, contact the Fortis Institute’s admissions team today.
Recommended Reading
5 Tips to Handle Workplace Stress in a Busy Medical or Dental Office
A Day in the Life of a Medical Office Administrator
Is Medical Billing and Coding Right for Me?