A medical office administrator is responsible for the day-to-day running of a hospital, medical center, health care facility, or even a small clinic. Since he is responsible for managing patients and familiarizing them with the admission procedures followed by the hospital, it is imperative that he receive training in medical office management. Maintaining patient files and records, purchasing office and medical supplies and equipment, coordinating staff, medical billing, and insurance claims are other functions that fall within his scope of responsibility.
Better healthcare facilities have not only resulted in increased life expectancy but have also grown the healthcare administration sector and as a result provide ample job opportunities for those who are interested in interacting with the people. Non-medical personnel could also seek employment in this field as long as the individual possesses certain basic qualifications and skills. Training in medical office management is available from many vocational schools and colleges which, through a faculty of established professionals, train students in the various aspects of this field.
In a hospital or health center there are various management tasks carried out by the medical administrator that ensure its proper functioning, so training in administration of medical offices is wide-ranging. Specialized training programs concentrate on a specific aspect of medical administration, such as health record keeping and medical billing and coding, medical transcription, etc. Interested persons can easily acquire the necessary qualifications and knowledge related to these tasks through concentrated study programmes.
By providing proper training in medical administration, vocational schools and colleges help students develop the skills necessary to excel in this particular field. Training includes things like managing medical records, patient records, scheduling doctor appointments, and also handling insurance claims. The general training program in medical office management covers topics such as working with insurance codes, billing practices, and medical reports.
Students have the option to choose between certificate courses and degree courses. For entry-level medical administration jobs, a certificate course is sufficient; however, most large hospitals and health care centers prefer to hire those candidates who have completed a degree course. Qualification requirements are even higher for senior positions, as such positions demand exemplary skills and abilities for the successful performance of the duties.
Such a course usually lasts for two to four years, and upon completion, the student is awarded an undergraduate degree, namely, Associate of Science or Bachelor of Science in the field. However, it is essential that students acquire their medical office management training at accredited colleges and universities. A student who acquires a degree from a CAAHEP accredited university will most likely receive a valid certificate.
At the associate degree level, students are taught to perform basic healthcare procedures and are also trained in areas such as business communication, disease components, and hospital safety. Medical office management training produces well-qualified health care managers who have good communication skills and the knowledge and experience necessary to assist physicians in their work of healing the sick.
