Medical Office Assistant Career

Why Choose a Career as a Medical Office Assistant?

The expansion of the health services industry from technological advances in medicine and a growing and aging population will result in an increasing need for those who want to work as a medical office assistant.

The Occupational Outlook Handbook foresees the medical office assistant profession to be one of the fastest growing occupations through 2018.

Medical Office Assistant Job Duties

The job of a medical office assistant can be multifaceted depending on the size and location of the practice. In a small practice, the assistant may handle all administrative duties whereas in a larger practice, there may be more specialized administrative positions. Some of the duties of a medical office assistant include answering telephones; greeting patients; scheduling appointments, surgeries, and laboratory services; preparing new patient files; ordering office supplies; preparing purchase orders; handling billing and bookkeeping; preparing and filing medical insurance claims; and arranging for hospital admissions. The result of a trained, efficient, knowledgeable medical office assistant is a smooth, well-run medical practice.

Medical Office Assistant Job Opportunities

A medical office assistant will most likely secure employment in a physician’s office. Some will work in public and private hospitals and in offices of other health professionals, such as chiropractors and podiatrists. Other establishments that will hire a medical office assistant include outpatient care centers, public and private educational services, ambulatory healthcare services, state and local government agencies, medical and diagnostic laboratories, and nursing care facilities.

Employment Outlook

Service-oriented positions in the medical field continue to provide about half of the employment opportunities in the United States. People of all ages and men as well as women can train to become a medical office assistant. Rapid growth in the number of group practices, clinics, and other healthcare facilities will result in an increasing need of educated medical office assistants. In fact, employment for the medical office assistant profession is expected grow much faster than the average – 34 percent or more – for all occupations through the year 2018.

What You Can Earn as a Medical Office Assistant

As with many careers, the earning potential of a medical office assistant varies depending on factors such as experience, skills and geographic location. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical office assistants earned up to $39,570 in 2008. Those working in general medical and surgical hospitals earned higher salaries over those working in other healthcare entities. Advancement opportunities for medial office assistants include becoming office managers or moving into administrative support occupations. With additional education, the opportunities are endless for a career in the medical office assistant field.

(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2010-2011 Occupational Outlook Handbook)