What Does a Medical Office Specialist Do?
The medical office specialist performs a range of tasks related to administrative support, customer service, medical technology and general office management. Candidates interested in this position should enjoy working with the public, possess exceptional people skills and have organizational expertise. Some positions require the management of a medical office while others may require laboratory or medical skills. Duties vary depending on the size and purpose of the practice.
General administrative tasks include managing a physician’s calendar, creating and distributing correspondence, managing patient records and updating information in medical databases.
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The position may also require greeting patients, answering telephone calls, routing inquiries, resolving complaints and scheduling appointments.
Medical office specialists also perform tasks related to laboratory work. For example, a specialist may help collect patient specimens, label containers and submit specimens to a medical technologist or other laboratory personnel. Many positions require that specialists communicate the results of lab work to patients and assist physicians or dentists with preparing patients for screenings or examinations.
In some situations, the specialist is required to assist with the billing process. Specialists may contact insurance companies to discuss insurance payments, collect and process payments from patients, provide receipts and update accounting databases and perform bill collection activities. Specialists may locate and work with outside vendors to collect payment for delinquent accounts.
Specialists work in a number of settings, including hospital, home care companies, and physician’s offices. Despite this, they have a number of characteristics in common. Candidates for this career should have the ability to tolerate stressful situations, provide reassurance and compassion to patients and have an aptitude for business solutions privacy and confidentiality.
What Kind of Training, Certification or Education Do They Need?
Medical office specialists have several options when seeking training or certification. Many jobs offer on-the-job training related to internal processes and technology; however, formal training increases job prospects. Career training programs, such as that offered by Kaplan University in Corpus Christi, Texas, provide a comprehensive educational foundation.
Candidates can pursue a certificate or an associate’s degree in medical assisting, medical assistant, medical practice management, medical billing and coding or medical office specialist. Programs of this nature provide solid training in the following areas:
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- Patient communications
- Medical terminology
- Human anatomy
- Federal and state regulations
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
- Laboratory skills
- Records Management
- Billing and Coding
National College academic programs also offer a solid educational foundation. Prospective students can select from several healthcare programs, including medical assisting, medical office specialist, billing and coding and medical office assistant. Specialist National programs are available in Virginia, West Virginia, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee and Ohio. The institution also offers lifetime refresher courses to its graduates.
When selecting a program, candidates should consider student life, the time to program completion, employment placement rates and internship or job placement services in addition to cost. Candidates can search for scholar blogs, which provide information about campus life, scholarship opportunities and other information associated with campus activities, reputation and student experiences.
Prospective employees can also pursue certification, such as those offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants. Employees who add certification credentials to their academic background prove to employers they have obtained the required knowledge and skills through a widely recognized and accepted credential. This can also increase employment opportunities and salary potential.
What Kind of Skills Do They Need?
The medical office specialist should possess a comprehensive set of skills. The specialist should have a keen sense of problem awareness, problem solving, critical and analytical thinking and monitoring skills. The ability to communicate effectively is essential to success. Specialists should be able to effectively document occurrences, report findings or observances accurately and work well in a team environment.
Potential candidates should also possess computer and clear writing skills. In some advanced positions, remaining updated on federal and state health regulations is essential. Additionally, knowledge of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, as related to working in medical settings. Most specialists should understand regulations related to the disposal of biohazardous materials, such as blood and other bodily materials. Knowledge of exposure procedures and infection control are essential to safety.
How Much Money Do They Earn?
Medical assistants earned an average salary of $29,760 in 2010, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Most people in the occupation earned between $24,370 and $34,450 during the same period. The lowest-paid earners in the field were compensated approximately $20,810 annually, while the highest-paid workers earned $40,190.
Those in the health information and records field earned a median $35,010 per year. The highest-paid earners reported compensation of $53,430, while those earning the least reported earnings of $21,240. Most workers in health information and records earned between $25,570 and $42,170 per year.
What Is the Job Outlook for Medical Office Specialists?
The BLS reports that the medical assisting field has a bright outlook. Job growth is expected to outpace the average at 20% or higher over the next decade through 2018. The BLS projects that approximately 218,000 jobs will be available through 2018. Medical office specialists in the information and records management specialization can also expect faster than average job growth through 2018.
Candidates who have receive a formal post-secondary education, such as a certificate or an associate’s degree, may have the brightest outlook. Those who pursue additional avenues of validation, such as certification through a recognized organization, may also enjoy access to more opportunities and a higher salary.