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Avg. Base Hourly Rate (USD) The average hourly pay for a Medical Office Assistant is $15.25 EXPLORE BY: Featured ContentWhat is the Pay by Experience Level for Medical Office Assistants?An entry-level Medical Office Assistant with less than 1 year experience can expect to earn an average total compensation (includes tips, bonus, and overtime pay) of $14.12 based on 66 salaries. An early career Medical Office Assistant with 1-4 years of experience earns an average total compensation of $14.45 based on 416 …Read more What Do Medical Office Assistants Do?Medical office assistants are often considered the glue that holds a clinic or doctor's office together. While they don't normally have any formal medical training, they are the persons who help keep the office running as smoothly as possible. They provide a wide spectrum of office administration functions, including recordkeeping and patient documentation. In some practices, they may also work to assist in preparing patients for basic examination procedures. A medical office assistant’s …Read more How do Medical Office Assistants Rate Their Jobs?Based on 165 responses, the job of Medical Office Assistant has received a job satisfaction rating of 3.81 out of 5. On average, Medical Office Assistants are highly satisfied with their job. What is the highest pay for Medical Office Assistants?Our data indicates that the highest pay for a Medical Office Assistant is $19.53 / hour What is the lowest pay for Medical Office Assistants?Our data indicates that the lowest pay for a Medical Office Assistant is $12.01 / hour How can Medical Office Assistants increase their salary?Increasing your pay as a Medical Office Assistant is possible in different ways. Change of employer: Consider a career move to a new employer that is willing to pay higher for your skills. Level of Education: Gaining advanced degrees may allow this role to increase their income potential and qualify for promotions. Managing Experience: If you are a Medical Office Assistant that oversees more junior Medical Office Assistants, this experience can increase the likelihood to earn more.
Medically reviewed by: Kathleen Gaines News and Education Editor, MSN, RN, BA, CBC Part One What is a Medical Administrative Assistant?Medical administrative assistants, sometimes referred to as medical secretaries, medical office assistants or medical office managers, are the professionals who handle administrative functions in a medical facility. Though their responsibilities may vary, they generally include essential day-to-day operational activities like:
If you have excellent people and communication skills, are organized, and are interested in improving the healthcare experience for both patients and practitioners, a career as a medical administrative assistant might be right for you! This rewarding entry-level healthcare career offers the ability to directly interact with patients as well as medical staff. Medical administrative assistants are also the ones who make sure that things are running smoothly, and with convenient online programs available, there's nothing stopping you from embarking on this exciting new career. Interested? Read on to find out more about this career and how to get started. The two positions share some responsibilities, but there are some key differences:
Why Medical Administrative Assistants are a Vital RoleMedical administrative assistants play an important role in the functioning of medical offices. And even more importantly, they also provide excellent customer service that conveys both professionalism and compassion to patients. Medical administrative assistants are frequently the very first person that a patient will encounter when they contact a medical setting. They set the tone for a patient, and the impression that they make goes a long way towards establishing a positive relationship. Show Me Medical Office Administrative Assistant Programs Part Two What Do Medical Administrative Assistants Do?Though their duties vary depending upon their job setting, they are generally responsible for: Customer Service
Administrative Duties
Other Administrative Tasks
Part Three Where Do Medical Administrative Assistants Work?Medical administrative assistants can work in any healthcare setting that requires the coordination of patient medical records and care, including:
The needs of each of these are unique, and their differences will be reflected in the responsibilities that the medical administrative assistant is assigned. Show Me Medical Office Administrative Assistant Programs Part Four Medical Administrative Assistant SalaryMedical administrative assistants are generally the first contact that a patient will have with the medical office that employs them, and as a result, their professionalism, knowledge and skills are highly valued. The BLS reports that the mean annual salary for medical secretaries and administrative assistants is $39,000, or $18.75 per hour. This will vary based on the geographic region in which the individual works, the amount of responsibility that the specific individual has, and the number of years that they have worked in the field. Highest Paying States for Medical Administrative AssistantsAccording to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the five U.S. states that pay medical administrative assistants the highest annual mean salaries are:
Top paying metropolitan areas for Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants:
Top paying nonmetropolitan areas for Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants:
Part Five How to Become a Medical Administrative AssistantThere are two different paths to becoming a medical administrative assistant:
Factors like how quickly you want to enter the field, how much money you have available, and your local job market will all factor into choosing the right path for you. Here are some things you should consider when making this decision:
Part Six Medical Administrative Assistant Programs1. Medical Administrative Assistant Certificate/Diploma ProgramsMedical administrative assistant programs are available as either certificate or diploma programs. You can take them at vocational schools and community colleges, or through online training programs. What Will You Learn?They will teach you what you need to know about the management of healthcare information, medical terminology, the administrative functions involved in running a medical office and more. Successfully completing one of these programs will provide you with the knowledge needed to pass a certification test. How Long Does it Take to Complete?These programs can usually be completed in 6 to 12 months. Show Me Medical Office Administrative Assistant Programs 2. Medical Administrative Assistant Associate Degree ProgramA medical administrative assistant associate degree program moves beyond the basic education provided by a certificate or diploma program. What Will You Learn?Though each program is different, most associate degree programs will provide all of the knowledge required to perform the job of a medical administrative assistant as well as general education classes that may be applied to baccalaureate programs in the future. These are also available in either in-person or online programs. How Long Does it Take to Complete?Medical administrative assistant associate degree programs usually take two years to complete. Medical Administrative Assistant TestWhether you choose a certificate program or an associate degree program, completion of an accredited program will prepare you to take the National Healthcare Association’s Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) test. Passing this test provides employers with the confidence that you have the credentials needed to keep their offices functioning well. Part Seven What is the Career Outlook for Medical Administrative Assistants?If you are looking for a career that promises staying power and consistent demand, you can’t get much better than choosing to be a Medical Administrative Assistant. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is an expectation that 80,000 new positions will open up between now and the year 2030, representing a growth of 7 percent. And those who begin working as medical administrative assistants often find themselves so interested in patient care and practice management that they move on to pursue careers in related fields including nursing and Healthcare Administration. Show Me Medical Office Administrative Assistant Programs Part Eight What are the Continuing Education Requirements for Medical Administrative Assistants?Medical administrative assistants who take and pass the CMMA test are eligible for highly-respected positions within medical practices and offices. Though recertification and continuing education are not required, those who earn this credential may consider expanding their capabilities and earning potential by pursuing additional education in the area of Billing and Coding or Electronic Health Records. Part Nine Where Can I Learn More About Becoming a Medical Administrative Assistant?There are a number of professional organizations and societies open to medical administrative assistants, and their websites provide invaluable insights into the career and the opportunities available. Some of these include the American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management, the Association for Healthcare Administrative Professionals and the Healthcare Billing and Management Association. Show Me Medical Office Administrative Assistant Programs Part Ten Medical Administrative Assistant FAQs
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What is the job description of a medical office assistant?Medical office assistants (MOAs) support doctors and other health care professionals by performing a variety of clerical and administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments, word processing, bookkeeping, accounting, photocopying, filing, answering the phone, and correspondence.
How long does it take to become a MOA?Medical Office Assistant Training is Quick and Effective
Students in Medical Office Assisting programs require only 32 weeks (including a practicum!) of training before joining the workforce as a certified MOA. This means you can begin your dream job in under a year.
What is the highest paying medical assistant job?High Paying Medical Assistant Jobs. Infertility Medical Assistant. Salary range: $30,500-$42,500 per year. ... . Medical Assistant Internal Medicine. Salary range: $31,000-$38,000 per year. ... . Certified Medical Assistant. Salary range: $29,000-$36,500 per year. ... . Clinical Medical Assistant. ... . Bilingual Medical Assistant.. What is the difference between medical office assistant and medical receptionist?Medical Office Receptionist: What's the Difference? Medical administrative assistants can help with both clinical and clerical tasks while a medical office receptionist helps exclusively with administrative work.
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