: What does a medical administrative specialist do?
Medical administrative specialists are specifically trained to perform secretarial and administrative duties within a healthcare setting. They are able to transcribe medical dictation, prepare correspondence, and assist physicians with reports, speeches, and articles. Medical administrative specialists also work closely with patients by recording medical histories, scheduling appointments and arranging lab procedures. They should also have knowledge of billing practices and healthcare insurance rules.
: Where can a medical administrative specialist work?
If you're ready to become a medical administrative specialist, you can prepare to work in a variety of healthcare environments. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011 Edition, medical administrative specialists are projected to hold 596,600 jobs by 2018. Medical administrative specialists can play an important role on a medical team in a variety of environments, such as physicians' offices, medical clinics, hospitals, pharmacies, long-term care facilities, outpatient care centers and many other healthcare settings.
: What specific qualifications should I have if I am interested in becoming a medical administrative specialist?
Our Medical Administrative Specialist program in Wilmington, Delaware, includes courses in office skills, transcription, medical terminology and legal issues. Medical administrative specialists should also possess skills in typing, organization, grammar and oral communication. A friendly demeanor and good customer service skills are important as well because medical administrative specialists are often the face of the office they're working in.
: What is the job outlook for a medical administrative specialist?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011 Edition, overall employment for secretaries and administrative assistants is expected to grow by 11% through 2018. The job outlook for medical secretaries and administrative assistants is the strongest (27% by 2018) thanks to the fast-growing healthcare industry. The role of administrative specialists and secretaries also continues to grow due to increased office automation. The use of computers, email and voice mail now allows medical administrative specialists to do more and be more efficient in their workday.
