Managing The Business Side of Healthcare: Medical Office Administration and Management Degree
Do you have a knack for administration and management, but a passion for the healthcare industry? If so, a medical office administration and management degree could help prepare you for your ideal job. Medical institutions all have a need for capable people to ensure everything runs smoothly and that high quality healthcare services are provided. From administrative tasks to managing staff or finances, there are many aspects to jobs in this field. By ensuring that everything at the facility is running smoothly you can make it easier for doctors and other healthcare professionals to do their jobs. Whether you end up running a single department, a large practice or even an entire facility, the work is challenging, but rewarding.
Medical Office Administration & Management Degree Info
Medical Office Administration Certificate
With a medical office administration certificate you’ll gain the basic knowledge to work with medical documents, patient records and other office matters in the medical industry. Course topics for this type of certificate include medical coding, medical law and bioethics, medical terminology, medical office management, medical records management and more.
Associate of Science / Associate of Applied Science in Medical Office Administration
The AASMO/ASMOA degree is for students who want to learn enough about the healthcare industry to be able to work in entry-level positions. The knowledge and skills gained from this type of degree is suitable for those interested in working as medical receptionists, medical office specialists, office managers and other similar jobs. Required courses may include medical terminology for healthcare professionals, pathophysiology and pharmacology, healthcare systems and operations, as well as ethics and health information management. Completion of this degree might also require a research project or internship. It usually takes about two years to complete this type of degree.
Bachelor of Science in Medical Management
The Bachelor of Science in Medical Management can help prepare students to work as administration professionals in the healthcare industry. Classes that are part of this degree may include medical terminology, contemporary issues in health care, insurance and healthcare reimbursement, principles of health and disease, healthcare finance, pharmacology, principles of management and healthcare ethics. Completion of this degree can take up to five years, depending on whether you are studying full-time or part-time.
Licenses and Registrations
Most areas of medical management do not require a license, apart from nursing home administrators, in which case the requirements are different for many states. Administrators for assisted-living facilities also require licensure in certain states. Finally, there are also some positions where having a social worker license or being a registered nurse might be a requirement for employment.
Medical Office Administration & Management Degree FAQs
Can I Obtain This Type of Degree Through An Online Course?
If you have a busy schedule and you are unable to attend a campus for full time studies, it is possible to obtain your medical office administration and management degree online. Online courses are available to accommodate various schedules and these courses are typically presented by experienced instructors as well as professionals who have worked in the field.
Who Is An Ideal Candidate To Study For This Degree?
In addition to being passionate about the industry, there are a couple of other qualities that are important if you want to study medical office administration and management. Since you might end up working in managerial positions, it will be very useful to have leadership skills and interpersonal skills. Good communication skills are just as important as you might have to interact with health professionals on a daily basis and relay important information about procedures or policies. For the administrative side of the job it is vital that you are detail oriented. Since there are numerous regulations that must be followed in the industry it can be very beneficial to have good analytical skills. In addition, it is also an industry where new technology is common, so good technical skills can benefit you immensely. Finally, it goes without saying that you should enjoy helping others and would feel comfortable working in an office environment.
What Type Of Jobs Are Available With A Degree in Medical Office Administration And Management?
Since a degree in this field comes with a lot of specialized as well as general training, it can open a lot of doors for different career paths. Most students who complete this type of degree go on to work in the medical industry at institutions such as hospitals, clinics, medical offices, laboratories and home health care agencies. However, there are also positions in related industries, such as medical supply manufacturers and insurance claims processors that may be open to people with this type of degree. Jobs range from medical records clerk and medical office assistant to medical secretary, medical administrative assistant, medical clerk and more.
What Type of Duties Might I Have When Employed In This Field?
When working in medical office administration and management your duties might vary depending on your job description. Generally, your days may involve greeting and checking in patients, managing medical information, scheduling appointments, ordering supplies, communicating with insurance companies, maintaining patient records, inputting patient intake forms and other administrative tasks.
How Much Can I Potentially Earn When Working In This Field?
Information published by the United States Bureau of Labor Services indicates that medical secretaries earned about $38,090 during 2019. The highest median annual wages for this career path is paid at hospitals, while the lowest is at nursing and residential care facilities. In addition, there is a projected growth of 17 percent estimated until 2024, which is faster than what the average is for other occupations. This can be attributed to an increased demand in general for medical services by a more active aging population, which in turn means a greater need for administrators and managers.
What Are The Other Advantages To Obtaining This Degree?
Because a medical office administration and management degree can help you to develop front office management skills, it is useful for more than just the medical industry. These skills are also in demand, so they can provide you with better job security. Additionally, when working in the medical industry you not only help people in need, which is very rewarding, but also get to interact with diverse groups.
