What Are the Duties of a Medical Office Receptionist?
Working as a medical office receptionist or assistant requires you to have medical and administrative knowledge and skills. If you'd like to offer supportive services in the healthcare field by performing behind-the-scenes tasks, keep reading to learn more about this profession. Schools offering Medical Office Administration degrees can also be found in these popular choices.
Medical Office Receptionist Job Duties
As a medical office receptionist, you would be responsible for gathering medical information from patients, including medical histories and billing information. You could submit insurance forms, order office and medical supplies, manage records and input patient information into computers. Other duties might include answering phones, scheduling patient appointments and handling any other administrative aspects of the office.
The medical portion of your duties would vary depending on the type of office you work in. Possible responsibilities can include preparing for medical and nursing procedures by getting patients ready for exams, setting up medical equipment and communicating with patients regarding exams and treatments. You might also take blood samples, assist with patient testing and provide patients with medications.
Education and Certification
You can find certificate programs that offer training for medical office reception or assisting through local community colleges and vocational schools. These programs provide you with the tools required to perform both office and medical duties. You can usually complete a program in less than a year, and you might be able to complete your coursework online. Course topics can include medical terminology, records keeping and data entry software and some programs include practical experience working in a medical office.
While potential employers might not necessarily require certification, to further your career in this field, you can also look into obtaining a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) designation from the American Association of Medical Assistants. There are two basic eligibility requirements you must meet to qualify for the certification exam: graduating from an accredited medical assisting program and passing a background check. You'll need to recertify every five years by either retaking the certification exam or accumulating 60 points of continuing education in administrative, clinical and general tasks. The organization also requires that you maintain a valid CPR credential (www.aama-ntl.org).
Salary and Job Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of medical assistants was expected to grow 34% between 2008 and 2018. The BLS also indicated that those with certification, experience and formal training should have better job prospects. In 2010, the BLS noted that the average annual salary for medical office assistants was $29,760. Professionals with the highest average worked in psychiatric and substance abuse clinics and dental offices (www.bls.gov).
To continue researching, browse degree options below for course curriculum, prerequisites and financial aid information. Or, learn more about the subject by reading the related articles below:
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