T here are many types of healthcare careers, and a career in medical office administration is an excellent way to not only work in the health care sector, but also offers an opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way.
What is a Medical Office Assistant and What do they do?
A Medical Office Assistant (MOA) is also known as a medical receptionist, medical secretary or medical administrative assistant and is a valuable part of the health care team responsible for ensuring administrative efficiency in hospitals, clinics or doctor’s offices. The most common day to day tasks of a medical office assistant are:
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- Greeting and directing patients
- Answering phones
- Scheduling and confirming appointments
- Using software systems for billing and coding to government health care agencies or private medical insurance companies
- Organizing and maintaining patient medical records
- Using office software such as Microsoft Office and Excel to record, type, draft, create, and update all forms of correspondence, such as exam notification letters or third-party forms and letters
- Enter, compile, and record reporting data
- Medical transcription
- Preparing patients and examination rooms for exams and clinical tasks
- Medical Office Bookkeeping and Accounting
- Maintaining office and medical supplies, materials and equipment
How to Know if a Medical Office Assistant Course is Right for you?
Completing a Medical Office Assistant course is highly sought after by doctors and hospitals but is a career as a MOA right for you?
- The number one reason is that you want to work in the healthcare field, but do not want to work as a hands-on health care provider such as a nurse, a doctor or in the medical technology field.
- You have very good organizational skills
- You enjoy working with people
What Courses are would I take in a Medical Office Assistant program?
- Medical terminology
- Anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology
- Aseptic techniques / Sterilization techniques
- How to collect data and manage health information
- Medical Transcription
- Medical Office procedures
- Medical Billing and Coding
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Skills
- How to communicate with patients and other healthcare professionals
How long does it take to complete a Medical Office Assistant Course?
- Medical office assistant programs can be completed between 6 and 12 months.
How do I find the right medical office assistant course for me?
Finding the right college and course can be a tough decision, but some of the thing you should take into account are:
- How long is the program?
- What credential will you get when you graduate, a diploma or certificate?
- Is a practicum part of the program?
- Are classes offered in either the morning or afternoon so you can continue working?
- Do you need to continue working while going to school?
- How much is the tuition?
- Can you apply for a scholarship and/or financial aid?
- Is the school located close to you and is it easy to get there?
- Is there a career services office to help you find a job when you graduate?
Taking your goals and your needs into account should make the choice easier. To do this, contact several schools you are considering to either meet with an advisor or get you questions answered over the phone.
Find out more about medical office assistant training from one of these featured schools.
Medical Office Assistant Courses in BC
Medical Office Assistant Courses in Alberta
Medical Office Assistant Courses in Ontario
Graduates of a medical office assistant course will be qualified to work as a:
- Medical Office Assistant
- Medical Administrative Assistant
- Medical Transcriptionist
- Admitting Clerk
- Emergency Room Admitting Clerk
- Medical Receptionist
- Medical Billing Clerk
- Medical Secretary
- Medical Records Clerk
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