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Note: Because schools change the programs offered at their campuses periodically, not every campus of each school will offer all programs, and program names may change slightly from campus to campus. While we try to keep up with the programs each school offers, you should visit the school's website by following the Request Information link to verify the exact programs offered at each campus. |
Medical Office Administration Schools and Training Programs
Medical office administrators typically do not treat patients, but they play a vital role in the health care industry -- medical facilities could not run without them. These professionals' duties may overlap with related careers such as medical secretary, health services manager, health information manager or medical records technician. If you want to work in health services, but not necessarily provide direct care, medical office administration could be a good career choice for you.
Careers in medical office administration
For administrative assistants and administrators in medical offices or clinics, daily tasks and responsibilities vary depending on the type and size of facility. In smaller facilities, medical office administrators handle diverse day-to-day operations that could include book-keeping, processing patients' health information, or medical billing and coding.
Administrators with supervisory roles in physicians' practices or clinics typically manage personnel and facility operations, as well as finances and record-keeping. Large medical facilities usually employ a range of health care managers and technicians who may work in a certain specialty or clinical area, such as nursing, surgery, therapy, medical records or health information.
Another related career is the clinical health care manager; these are medical professionals who have become administrators, responsible for activities such as ordering supplies, planning work schedules and supervising employees. For health care administrators of the non-clinical nature, such as health information managers, duties are more behind-the-scenes. These professionals are responsible for organizing and managing patient data, while assuring security, confidentiality and accuracy.
Training for medical office administration
Degrees are preferred in this field, and specific educational requirements vary according to the position you are seeking. Medical records and health information technicians usually have associate degrees, and a professional credential is favored, although it may also be possible to find employment in physicians' offices and other smaller facilities without a degree. A bachelor's or master's degree or specialized certifications can offer opportunities for career advancement.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also outlines recommended training for related management careers in health care:
- Health information managers need a bachelor's degree in a field such as health information management.
- Medical or health care managers typically hold a master's degree, although a bachelor's degree may be adequate for small medical offices. For specialized or advanced positions, you may need relevant experience as well.
Medical office administration training programs vary by school and degree level, and courses may include the following:
- Billing and coding
- Customer service
- Financial management
- Health information management
- Insurance processing
- Medical terminology
Employers often prefer some form of professional licensure, such as the Registered Health Information Technician, or RHIT, credential from the American Health Information Management Association. Office managers may seek the Certified Medical Manager, or CMM, certification, which is maintained by the Professional Association of Health Care Office Management; the required exam covers 18 areas of medical practice administration.
Employment prospects in health care administration
Between 2008 and 2018, the BLS expects employment to increase by 20 percent for medical records and health information technicians and by 16 percent for health services managers. The aging population and an increasing focus on medical accountability contribute to the anticipated job growth. The BLS records these 2010 median salaries for related positions:
- Medical records and health information technicians: $32,350
- Health services managers overall: $84,270
- Medical managers in physicians' offices: $91,820
While medical office administrators typically work in physicians' practices or clinics, related careers also are found in hospitals, nursing homes, home health care services, outpatient care centers and insurance carriers. The BLS projects a positive job outlook for health care administration, especially for information technicians who are familiar with medical office software.
Additional resources:
American Health Information Management Association: Association that provides support for health information professionals, including the Registered Health Information Technician certification
Professional Association of Health Care Office Management: Professional organization that manages the Certified Medical Manager program and provides other resources for health care managers
Medical Group Management Association: Professional organization that offers networking, professional education and resources for medical administrators
Allied Health Institute
- Medical Office Assistant
- Healthcare Management
- Medical Coding Specialist
Westwood College
- Associate Degree - Medical Office Management
- Bachelor Degree - Business Administration: Major in Healthcare Management
- Bachelor Degree - Business Administration: Major in Healthcare Management I
- More
Westwood College is an institution of higher learning dedicated to providing quality, career-focused undergraduate and graduate programs that prepare students with the knowledge, skills, and credentials needed to launch, enhance, or change careers.
Medical Career Institute
- North Charleston
- Charlotte
- Greenville
- Raleigh
- Newport News
- Richmond
- Virginia Beach
- Henrico
- Medical Administration - Associate
- Healthcare Administration - Bachelor
- Health Information Management - Associate
Heald College
- Medical Office Administration
- Medical Insurance Billing and Coding
Kaplan University
- Fort Lauderdale
- AAS in Medical Office Management
- MBA - Health Care Management
- Master of Health Care Administration
- More
Carrington College
- Medical Office Management
- Health Care Administration
- Medical Billing and Coding
Ready for a rewarding career in healthcare? Carrington College™ can help.
Rasmussen College
- Medical Administration Diploma
- Medical Administration Associates Degree
- Health Information Management Bachelor's
- More
Brown Mackie College
- Associate of Applied Science in Medical Office Management
- Associate of Science in Medical Office Management
- Diploma in Healthcare Administrative Specialist
- More
Salter College
- Chicopee
- West Boylston
- Office Administration - Medical
- Medical Office
- Business Office Support
- More
Fortis Institute
- Medical Office Administration
- Medical Office Administrator Program
- Medical Office Technology
- More
Get the skills and training you need for a great career at Fortis Institute. * Programs vary by location * Please contact each individual campus for accreditation information * Fortis Institute- Indianapolis advertising code is AC-0163.
Pittsburgh Technical Institute
- Oakdale
- Cranberry Twp
- Medical Office Administration
- Online Medical Coding
- Medical Coding
Virginia College
- Birmingham
- AS - Medical Office Administration
- MBA - Healthcare
- BS - Health Services Management
- More
Kaplan University - KHE
- Cedar Falls
- Cedar Rapids
- Davenport
- Urbandale
- Lincoln
- Mason City
- Omaha
- Council Bluffs
- Hagerstown
- Associate of Applied Science: Medical Office Management
- Bachelor of Science: Health Care Administration
- Certificate: Office Management
- More
Broadview University
- West Jordan
- Meridian
- Layton
- Orem
- Associate in Medical Administrative Assistant
- Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management
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