4 Interesting Insights to Consider as a Medical Office Assistant
When considering any career field, it is important to have an understanding of the logistics of the field: the average salary, what kind of tasks you will be doing, and the outlook in the job market. This knowledge will help you decide the best avenue to take with a specific career.
The Occupational Outlook Handbook is a great resource for looking up any career, and we have broken down the components of the Medical Office Assistant field.
Discover the ins and outs of this allied health sector and whether it is the right fit for you!
#1: Medical Office Assistant Outlook
Number of Jobs: The Medical Office Assistant field is projected to grow 19% from 2019 to 2029, which is at a faster growth rate than other occupations. The need for medical assistants will continue to increase as the demand for medical care increases, especially considering the baby-boomer population is aging and new illnesses surface, such as the coronavirus. As more patients seek care, doctor’s offices and clinics will need medical assistants ready to assist with the administrative and clerical tasks in the office. Advances in technology are also evolving the methods in which tasks are completed, and employees will need to be familiar with electronic health records to ensure information is stored and handled properly.
Pay: The average pay is $35,850 a year as of May 2020. Medical Office Assistants who work in outpatient care center made on average $38,860 while those in hospitals (state, local, or private) received on average $37,050 a year, and working in chiropractor offices averaged $31,470 a year.
What You Do: A medical assistant works under the supervision of a physician and will gather information necessary to fill out a patient’s history and personal data, take a patient’s vital signs, schedule follow-up appointments, put patient information into their medical record, and prepare test samples for shipment to a laboratory. Medical Assistants must understand the importance of abiding by HIPAA regulations as they are dealing with patient information. They can work in all types of office settings, including ophthalmology and podiatry offices. They are not to be confused with physician assistants who can assess, diagnose, and prescribe medicine under the observation of a physician.
Work Environment: Most medical assistants work full time and may be scheduled to work nights, weekends, or holidays depending on the hours the facility is open.
#2: Qualities Every Medical Office Assistant Should Possess
Analytical Skills—you must be able to easily comprehend medical information and diagnoses as they need to be input correctly into a patient’s account for billing purposes and for when a follow-up appointment is required.
Interpersonal Skills—it is important to remember that patients may come into the office with pain or discomfort, and it is your job to display a calm, professional, and encouraging manner when assisting them with information.
Technical Skills—understanding how to work some medical equipment such as a blood pressure cuff is necessary to ensure accurate readings and results.
#3: Certification Matters
Graduates of Blackstone Career Institute’s Medical Office Assistant training program are qualified to sit for the National Certified Medical Office Assistant (NCMOA) exam administered by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT). Certification provides further assurance of skills and knowledge to employers. In addition, it can be seen as a commitment to your career field and can often lead to a higher salary.
#4: Becoming a Medical Assistant
Blackstone Career Institute’s online Medical Office Assistant program includes a working knowledge in real-world administrative skills, including an online simulated practice program using the same software used in most medical offices. The Medical Office Assistant program prepares students for entry-level employment as a medical office assistant.
It discusses the fundamentals of medical terminology, the duties of the medical office assistant, the role of the medical office assistant in providing patient care, professional development and medical ethics, English usage, and finding a job in healthcare. Upon course completion, you will have the skill set needed to secure a job working as a medical office assistant.
