Medical Administrative Assistant: A New Career is Waiting for You!
Administrative Assistants are the glue that holds an office together. And a medical office is no exception.
If you have a passion for helping people and you want to work in the medical field, but you’re not sure if giving shots or treating wounds is for you, then a career as a Medical Administrative Assistant might be for you.
Where to Find Work as a Medical Admin Assistant
Depending on the individual office, a Medical Admin Assistant might also be called a MAA, Medical Secretary, Medical Receptionist, Medical Front Office Clerk, or Medical Office Assistant. Everything from large hospitals to small private practices utilize Medical Admin Assistants. You could find work at:
- Hospitals
- Clinics and Specialist Offices
- Private Medical Practices
- Dental Practices
- Medical Rehab Facilities
Tasks and Duties of a Medical Admin Assistant
Like an Admin Assistant in most any non-medical field, a Medical Admin Assistant does the clerical work of answering the phone, organizing paperwork, and other office duties. However, they need to be familiar with general medical terminology, have an understanding of medical insurance companies, and respect patient confidentiality.
If you pursue a career as a Medical Admin Assistant, here are some of the duties and responsibilities you may find yourself doing:
- Answering the phone
- Checking in patients
- Organizing patient files
- Billing patients and insurance companies
- Ordering office or medical supplies
- Transferring lab results from one office or doctor to another
- Scheduling appointments
- Maintaining a calm, pleasant, and professional demeanor for patients
What Makes a Medical Admin Assistant Unique
You might be wondering what is the difference between a medical administrative assistant and a medical assistant?
A clinical Medical Assistant works closely with patients. They are responsible for many tasks such as administering shots, drawing blood, operating laboratory equipment, assisting a doctor or nurse with examinations, recording patient vitals, and more.
The Medical Admin Assistant gets face-to-face time with each patient as they’re checking into the office. However, as a Medical Admin Assistant, you do not need to have specialized training for the hands-on procedures performed by Medical Assistants. You also do not need to work with biohazard fluids, medications, or lab equipment.
A Medical Admin Assistant keeps the office running smoothly. Doctors, nurses, and medical assistants need to be able to find patient files quickly, and they do not have the time to make sure that insurance companies are billed or patients receive reminder calls about appointments. These valuable and important tasks are the responsibilities of Medical Admin Assistants.
New Medical Admin Assistant Program at Central Coast College
In December, we are launching our new and improved Medical Administrative Assistant program! If you’re interested in this valuable career in the medical field, then contact us today to learn more about the program.
To view Central Coast College’s full disclosures, click here.