Medical Office Administration Degree - Online and Campus Programs

Medical office administrators are leaders in their respective medical facilities. They make sure the office runs smoothly and operates according to established professional standards. Medical office administrators usually work with: physicians, dentists, clinics, hospitals, or other health care facilities. From entry-level assisting to full-office administration, medical office administrators influence how efficiently an organization tracks appointments, bills patients, and work with insurers and government agencies to receive payments.

Preparing for a Career in Medical Office Administration

To become a medical office administration professional, you must have strong personal communications skills and be able to explain procedures or billing issues to patients. Most entry-level medical office admin positions call for generalists who cover a wide range of procedures. If you choose a career as a medical admin, you will likely help with: correspondence, bookkeeping, and arranging outside patient procedures or laboratory work. With experience, you may to advance to medical office administrator or office management roles in a clinic or hospital setting.

Medical Office Administration Education Requirements

According to The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), some medical assistants are trained on the job, but employers are increasingly interested in candidates who complete a medical office administration degree or certificate program offered at colleges and trade schools. Medical office administration classes may include instruction in:
  • The latest medical coding or billing software
  • Ethics
  • Patient psychology
  • Computers
  • Keyboarding
  • Medical and insurance law
  • Medical terminology
Programs typically take two years and lead to an associate's degree.

Salary Range and Job Outlook for Medical Office Administrators

The BLS predicts the job openings for medical office administrators and assistants will increase 34 percent between 2008 and 2018. According to the BLS, the median 2008 salary for medical assistants was 28,300, with top salaries at $39,570.