The medical world is full of career opportunities, although most people only consider the most popular and well-known options such as doctors, nurses, phlebotomists, etc. The truth is, while those career options are all great, you might be looking for something a bit more technical or office-based that is still involved in the medical field. If so, the job of medical office specialist could be the perfect career choice for you.
What Is a Medical Office Specialist?
A medical office specialist is someone who maintains the office duties found in a traditional medical center. A specialist may work in a hospital, a quick care unit, a doctor’s office, a nursing home, or somewhere like a government agency or school. These specialists perform office-related tasks for doctors and nurses, such as:
- Organizing and maintaining medical records.
- Handling insurance billing.
- Greeting patients and other visitors.
- Answering phones and directing calls.
- Completing and submitting insurance forms.
- Calling in prescription orders and/or refills to pharmacies.
- Processing bills.
- Transcribing from dictation or other recordings.
- Answering emails and handling direct mail.
- Communicating with patients about labs and test results.
- Helping lab technicians.
- Assisting with patient treatment as necessary.
A medical office specialist usually needs a high school diploma to enter the job field. In addition, most employers will look for candidates who have been trained in certain special skills that will enable them to perform their tasks more efficiently.
As a specialist, you’ll be an integral part of the management and function of a medical office or facility. You won’t spend a lot of time with patients during examinations, so this job is perfect for you if you don’t feel comfortable making diagnoses and performing treatment for unwell individuals.
What Education Does a Medical Office Specialist Need?
In general, a medical office specialist will need a high school diploma. Most employers will also ask for a certificate or an associate degree in a related field. For example, an employer may prefer that their medical office specialist receive direct training in human anatomy and physiology, administrative skills, transcription, coding, and computer software.
How Do I Become a Medical Office Specialist?
If you like the idea of working deep within a medical facility without having to get medical training, a medical office specialist job is perfect for you. There are just a few simple steps to becoming a medical office specialist:
- Attend a training program to learn some of the specialized skills your employer will be looking for.
- Take and pass the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) exam.
- Receive your CMAA certification.
- Find a job in the medical office specialist field.
It’s as simple as that! With a little training, you can become a medical office specialist in no time. Most certification programs take only a year or two to complete.
If you’d like to learn more about the medical office specialist training program at Southern Careers Institute in Texas, reach out to us today by visiting our website or calling 1.833.SCI.TEXAS. We can help you decide if this career is the right option for you and get you started on your path to employment.
This article was published on: 01/10/22 1:16 AM
* SCI does not guarantee employment or a starting salary upon graduation, completion, or withdrawal from SCI. As an accredited post-secondary institution, SCI has various federal financial assistance programs available for students who qualify and are enrolled in SCI programs. This does not apply to seminar students.
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