When you walk into your medical office or clinic, chances are you will be greeted by a member of the administrative support staff. And when you’re called into an exam room, you might see a medical assistant before you see the doctor, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner. And after you leave, someone will bill your insurance company.
These are the jobs whose skills are learned in a medical office technology program. And, make no mistake, jobs are plentiful. For example, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment forecasts 441 openings for medical assistants every year for the next nine years. Median pay was $29,370 in 2012.
What do you like to do?
Do you like to help people? Medical assistants help patients with some of their health-care needs.
Do you like to work on a team? Medical administrative assistants and health care office assistants are important parts of a health-care team.
Do you like to detail? A career as a medical billing specialist could be right for you.
The Medical Office Technology Program at Front Range Community College prepares you to assist with these clinical and/or administrative functions as employees within the health-care system.
Programs of study
Our programs of study include Medical Billing Specialist, Medical Administrative Assistant, Medical Assistant, and Health Care Office Assistant.
The Medical Billing Specialist degree and certificate are designed for individuals wanting to focus solely on billing in a clinic or doctor’s office. (Additional training in billing is needed to work in a hospital.) You will work with financial documents and insurance companies. There is no difference in pay, title, or medical training for the degree or certificate; additional general education courses are required for the completion of the degree.
The Medical Administrative Assistant degree and certificate are designed for individuals who wants to work the front office of a doctor’s office or clinic. With experience, you will have the skills needed to become an office manager. Students in this area of study are trained in medical software, insurance billing and coding, transcribing, financial management, and some medical terminology. This is ideal for someone who likes administrative work in a clinical setting.
The Medical Assistant degree and certificate are designed for someone who would like to work in both the front and back of a doctor’s office or clinic. This is the most marketable degree and certificate because of the diversity and numerous skills gained. Individuals working under this title can perform clinical work such as drawing blood and giving shots. In addition, this certificate is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. There is no difference in pay, title or medical training for the degree or certificate; more general education courses are required for completion of the degree.
The Health Care Office Assistant certificate is designed for an individual who wants to work at the front desk or a medical office or clinic. An office assistant might register new patients, answer the telephone, schedule appointments, file medical records, process mail, and type and transcribes medical reports. It could be a good option for someone looking for entry into the health-care field.
Important jobs in health care
I have practiced in the health-care field for more than 15 years, and I know firsthand how important these jobs are for the smooth operation of a medical office or clinic. If you want to join a health-care team, one of these careers might be the right path for you.
