- Medical administrative assistants work in the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors and other health practitioners; they perform clerical duties that keep the offices running efficiently. They maintain and update patient files, fill out insurance forms, coordinate lab services and arrange for hospital admissions. They also perform common administrative tasks including answering phones, scheduling appointments and bookkeeping. While a degree may not be necessary for administrative positions, many schools offer one- or two-year medical assistant programs.
- According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), median annual wages for medical administrative assistants were $28,300, as of May 2008. The BLS also reports that medical assistant ranks among the fastest-growing occupations. Medical administrative assistants who wish to advance their careers can benefit from a medical assisting program. Some may choose to pursue professional certification as well, such as Certified Medical Assistant designation awarded by the American Association of Medical Assistants.
- Another option in medical office administration is a career as a medical records, or health information, technician. These specialists are trained to handle patient's health information, including medical charts and insurance forms. Many health information technicians specialize in medical coding, applying special codes to each diagnosis and procedure for insurance purposes. Most health information technicians complete a two-year associate's degree program covering medical terminology, coding, anatomy and physiology, legal aspects of health information and database management.
- Medical records specialists, especially those with coding skills, are in high demand, according to the BLS. Many employers prefer to hire technicians with the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) credential. This credential is awarded by the American Health Information Management Association to those who pass a written examination and meet the education requirements. Median annual wages for health information technicians, according to the BLS, were $30,610 as of May 2008.
- Further up the employment ladder are medical services managers. These individuals are responsible for overall operations of a health care department or facility. Managers plan, direct, coordinate and supervise health care delivery and delivery systems. Most medical services managers have a master's degree in an area such as health services administration, health sciences, public health, public administration or business administration. Some positions, such as nursing care facility administrators, require licensing by the State.
- As the health care industry continues to expand and diversify, more medical services managers are needed to run the health delivery facilities. Medical services managers should continue to find good job prospects through 2016, according to the BLS. As of 2008, salaries averaged $80,240 annually. Medical services managers with knowledge and experience may move in to executive positions.
