Medical Office Assistant

Medical office assistant or MOA is one branch of medical assisting job which mainly focuses on administrative and office tasks. There are several colleges and technical schools that provide specialized training programs for students who wish to become MOA. You can take these training programs either in class rooms or online. Medical office assistant program which is given in class room may last from few months up to two years. The online program usually depends on the student’s efficiency and dedication. Medical office assistant certification program can be completed in a matter of few months but diploma program may take more than a year.

The usual work places for medical office assistants include family physicians’ offices or specialty offices, clinics, hospitals, ambulatory care centers, allied medical facilities or public health agencies.

A person who wishes to become medical office assistant need to have good social skills, which will become handy when dealing with clients and colleagues, must be honest enough to be trusted with a lot of confidential documents, must have good time management skills.

Medical Office Assistant job Description

Typical medical office assistant duties include the following:

  • Greeting and directing patients
  • Answering telephones
  • Updating and maintaining both paper and electronic medical records of patients
  • Verification of patients health insurance and authorization
  • Scheduling patients’ doctor appointments
  • Processing patients insurance claims and eligibility
  • Arranging for hospital admission
  • Make the necessary arrangements for laboratory services
  • Process and collection patient payments
  • medical billing and coding
  • Process insurance billing
  • Medical insurance coding and collections
  • Accounts receivable and accounts payable
  • Compose and type routine office correspondence
  • Bookkeeping
  • Operate computer, fax, and copy machines
  • Laboratory Services
  • Maintaining OSHA guidelines

There can be more duties which involve clinical tasks but the main focus of MOA will be on administrative tasks. However medical office assistants also may be assigned in the following clinical task:

  • Preparing patients for examination,
  • Taking and recording patient vital signs and blood pressure,
  • Performing simple treatment procedures such as EKG’s
  • Changing non-sterile dressings
  • And assistant doctors during patient examination

Medical Office Assistant Training

The scope and curriculum of medical office assistant source may vary depending on the program type and the education facility. But in general you should expect to take all or part of the following courses:

  • Electronic File Management (basic computer skills and working with different software)
  • Human Relation Skills
  • Medical Administrative Assistant Procedures
  • Medical Speed and Accuracy
  • Basic Medical Terminology
  • Medical Transcription
  • Clinical Procedures
  • Medical Billing
  • Pharmacology
  • Practicum (in this part of the training, the school may arrange few weeks of actually job by assigning you at one the above mentioned medical faculties. During this period you are expected to implement what you have learned in class in the real life scenario. If you perform well and provided that the facility has an open position, you may secure the job after you graduate.  )

Medical Office Assistant Jobs

If you couldn’t secure a job in the place you worked as an intern during your practicum or didn’t want to continue working there, you can start your job hunt by preparing professional and comprehensive resume. When applying for a job, try to include every bit of information and skills you may have, which is relevant to the job position. Don’t be vague in your descriptions. Medical assisting job is very versatile and the more relevant skills you have the more eligible you become for the job. Be professional and clear when writing your cover letter as well. In most cases the screening process may start from there.

Medical Office Assistant Salary

Medical office assisting jobs pay really well for the kind of time and money investments you made while in school. Entry level salary may start anywhere from 23,000 to 33,000. The numbers vary depending on the location and size of the medical facility. For instance if you work in New York, you can expect to get around $30,000 and above as an entry level medical office assistant.