Administrative Medical Assistant Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of an administrative medical assistant. Feel free to use our administrative medical assistant job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as an administrative medical assistant.
Who is an Administrative Medical Assistant?
An administrative medical assistant is often the first person you meet when you visit a doctor or physician’s office. He or she greets, welcomes, and tends to a patient’s needs. The administrative medical assistant provides assistantship and other services that enable doctors to concentrate on medical tasks. They are professionals who have undergone training in office management, administration, patients relationship, and service delivery. The presence of an administrative medical assistant ensures the smooth running of hospitals, medical offices, clinics, and other healthcare settings. They have been reported to be friendly, easy-going, industrious, calm under pressure, innovative, and result-oriented. Also, administrative medical assistants book and schedule appointments for patients and physicians, check patients in for appointments and keep records among other functions.
Research has shown that the need for administrative medical assistants will increase above average in the next few years; this may be related to the increasing importance and demand for healthcare worldwide. These professionals or experts are undoubtedly essential workers in medicine and healthcare. Remember, a physician cannot handle his or her medical responsibilities and administrative work at the same time; hence the need for administrative medical assistants. Significantly, an administrative medical assistant’s role requires just a high school education. However, smart individuals go further to obtain a degree or HND to be more competitive. Undergraduate education also provides opportunities for career growth, mentorship, and networking.
Relatively, an administrative medical assistant sources for and gathers patients’ medical history and other relevant information that can help physicians. Also, they file and document records, log patients’ data in medical databases and perform other clerical duties where necessary. In some healthcare facilities, the administrative medical assistant files and completes insurance forms for firms and codes medical records. They are computer literates; they use medical software and other computer applications while working. He or she is responsible for answering phone calls, bookkeeping, and ordering lab tests and examinations in a medical office or facility. Since they interact with patients and their families often, they develop a positive and empathetic mindset; sometimes, they perform roles similar to those of clinical assistants, especially in small facilities or offices. When performing clinical duties in such smaller facilities, they may be responsible for conducting lab tests, preparing patients for medical examinations, and documenting signs. Their knowledge of basic medical laws, principles, ethics, and procedures enables them to carry out the aforementioned functions.
Arguably, the role of an administrative medical assistant requires more training and experience than formal advanced education. Nevertheless, certification courses and credentials can help them to develop or imbibe advanced skills and knowledge associated with the career. In addition, an administrative medical assistant often learns and masters their craft on the job. In community clinics and local health facilities, these professionals use their knowledge of medical terms and processes to execute secretary tasks. In conclusion, an administrative medical assistant offers direct and indirect care to patients.
Administrative Medical Assistant Job Description
An administrative medical assistant oversees the cleaning, maintenance, and running of the office of medical personnel. Sometimes, these professionals act as liaisons between medical doctors and patients. When a patient visits a doctor’s office, they first meet and interact with the administrative medical assistant, make necessary inquiries, and request to see the doctor. Also, the administrative medical assistant responds to calls and emails and informs doctors accordingly. They prep patients for medical examinations, send correspondence, and code diagnostic procedures and processes. Most administrative medical assistants are stationed at the front desk; they perform administrative, research, and office tasks such as report writing, speech writing, and calendar planning. Hence, an administrative medical assistant also;
- Welcome and check patients in for appointments.
- Reply to emails, answer phone calls, and respond to inquiries.
- Organize, assemble and arrange the paperwork and other documents for clients and patients.
- Document and store patients’ medical histories and other relevant information in files.
- Prepare and send payment requests to clients or patients and receive subsequent payments.
- Liaise and cooperate with medical insurance firms and agencies.
- Ensure the physician’s office is cleaned, tidied, and maintained always.
- Schedule and perform interviews to decipher medical histories before booking appointments.
- Update and maintain patients’ health records.
- Develop, process, and send insurance claims based on standards.
- Work and comply with laws, regulations, and requirements of the profession.
- Utilize computers, software, and other medical accessories to work and perform transactions.
- Preserve, maintain, and oversee financial records, and accounts receivables and payables.
- Respond to questions, complaints, queries, and enquires where necessary.
- Ensure excellent customer service.
- Schedule medical tests and examinations in tandem with nurses, doctors, and other health practitioners.
- Stay abreast of changes, trends, and updates in the medical sector.
- Receive and send results of laboratory tests to the physician.
- Notify patients and their families of billing issues and credit card declines.
Qualifications
Thankfully, there are several opportunities to work in the medical sector; you don’t need to be a medical doctor to work in the industry. Some professionals assist doctors and physicians with daily administrative work. They perform similar tasks as clerks and office assistants. These professionals are called administrative medical assistants and they work directly under a physician. An administrative medical assistant helps patients and clients to book and schedule appointments and assists doctors and physicians in documentation and record-keeping. Normally, employers mandate aspiring administrative medical assistants to possess certain qualifications. They must meet laid down employment standards and present the following;
- Education: An individual must present several educational qualifications to be employed as an administrative medical assistant. Though a secondary school certificate can suffice, most employers prefer candidates with an administration or management degree. Courses like public or business administration, office assistantship, or clerical studies are accepted. A degree or HND in administrative medical assistance is however preferred.
- Certification: Certifications, credentials, and courses in the field are needed for employment in the sector. Most hiring managers favor applicants with certification from the International Health Care Association. Other certificates from relevant bodies are also accepted.
- Training: Some employers focus on training and less education for administrative medical assistant roles. Though organizations provide on-the-job training, some hiring managers consider candidates with adequate training, knowledge, and proficiency in a medical assistantship. The ideal candidate should know all about medical ethics, codes, terms, and laws.
- Experience: Some entry-level positions exist in some organizations for administrative medical assistants. Nevertheless, a prospective candidate needs years of experience to be competitive. Some facilities require a minimum of two years of experience while others accept one year of experience. An administrative medical assistant’s experience should include a vast understanding of customer service, proficiency in office management, and knowledge of basic medical terms and procedures. An individual can get experience after high school or undergraduate studies in a medical office, community clinic, or primary health care center.
Essential Skills
These professionals are found at the front office or desk in a medical personnel’s office. The scope of responsibilities includes management, administrative, and patient service. The size of an organization, the capacity and workforce in the facility, and the specific services offered by the medical facility determine the exact function of an administrative medical assistant. Regardless, they need some core skills to work efficiently and produce results. Self-motivation, personal commitment, endurance, patience, and reliability are some of the qualities of an administrative medical assistant. These professionals need other basic skills to perform their daily tasks including;
- Customer service and phone etiquette: These are essential skills for success in the role. An administrative medical assistant uses their customer service skills to interact and ensure patients get the best care available. They greet them on arrival and respond to their queries politely. Similarly, the administrative medical assistant needs excellent phone etiquette; he or she must know how to speak to clients, patients, and patients’ families professionally and properly.
- Knowledge of medical laws and ethics: Importantly, these professionals must operate within the confines of the medical profession. Hence, they need excellent knowledge of medical laws, rules, ethics, and guidelines. He or she must also be conversant with best practices in the industry.
- Familiarity with medical terms and jargon: An administrative medical assistant must know medical terms, jargon, and technology to thrive in the position. This skill or attribute will help them to interpret doctors’ and other clinicians’ reports accordingly. Also, it enables them to operate and utilize the equipment needed for the role.
- Accounting and mathematical skills: These experts need basic knowledge of accounting and mathematics to succeed in their endeavors. Often, administrative medical assistants balance books and oversee financial records. This also needs core accounting and mathematical skills.
- Computer skills: In this technological dispensation, an administrative medical assistant needs proficiency in computer and computer software to effectively perform their duties. This skill is necessary for data entry, updating patients’ records, and general office management.
- Communication skills: Normally, administrative medical assistants communicate with different personnel at work. They need strong communication skills to effectively relay and exchange information with doctors, nurses, laboratory scientists, and patients and their families.
- An administrative medical assistant must also be empathetic and show compassion and support to patients. Similarly, he or she needs problem-solving skills and attention to detail to succeed.
How to Become an Administrative Medical Assistant
Are you interested in becoming an administrative medical assistant? If yes, then this section will provide tips on how to become one. These professionals are responsible for organizing office records and ensuring that patients get immediate and adequate care as well as providing necessary payment information. They remind patients of appointments and guide them on referrals and prescriptions. Therefore, follow the steps below to begin and enjoy your career as an administrative medical assistant;
- Complete high or secondary education: A high school diploma is a minimum requirement for aspiring administrative medical assistants. During high school, concentrate on business, management, accounting, and commercial subjects. Mathematics is another subject area to focus on as is computer studies. To have an idea of the medical field, develop a good knowledge of biology and related subjects.
- Earn a degree or HND: Though not mandated, earn a degree or HND in an administrative or medical assisting course. Since a chunk of their duties is administrative and office-related, an administrative or office management degree can be of help.
- Undertake training and training programs: Training is crucial for success in the profession. There are several training programs available for aspiring administrative medical assistants at different levels. Surf the internet and seek information from your mentors and network on how to access these programs. Most training encompasses computer proficiency, health care compliance laws, and medical insurance billing.
- Pursue and obtain relevant work experience: Work experience is a prerequisite for employment in this field. Thus, pursue and accumulate as much work experience as possible. Undertake industrial training while in school or an internship after school. You can also learn the necessary skills and expertise through volunteering in hospitals, clinics, community healthcare centers, and physician’s offices in your area.
- Become certified: Industry-based or related certifications make you a better and more attractive candidate. Also, it depicts an individual’s willingness and hunger for further or advanced knowledge in the field. Several organizations offer certification courses on administrative medical assistance including the International Healthcare Association.
Where to Work as an Administrative Medical Assistant
An administrative medical assistant can be employed in health care settings such as medical offices, clinics, primary health care centers, and hospitals. Some are employed or work in private practice as well.
- Hospital: This is one of the largest employers of administrative medical assistants. They may be placed in several departments such as front desk offices, doctors’ offices, laboratories, or dispensary units. Often, administrative medical assistants work shifts and irregular schedules in hospitals.
- Clinic: Since a clinic has few sections and units than hospitals, an administrative medical assistant can be assigned to work in the primary care or a pediatric section. Most times, they schedule and book appointments for patients and clinicians.
- Private practice: In private practice, an administrative medical assistant often multitasks and manages time. Remember, the higher the facility, the higher the number of administrative medical assistants required and vice versa.
Administrative Medical Assistant Salary Scale
The average hourly pay for administrative medical assistants has been estimated to be $14.69. Several salaries were compiled, matched, and analyzed to arrive at this figure. However, administrative medical assistants working in tertiary medical centers or hospitals tend to earn more than their colleagues in smaller facilities.
