Individuals working in the field of medical office administration must learn how to manage medical establishments according to good business practices. These individuals must oversee a variety of operations within a medical office, or even within an entire hospital, depending on the level of administration. In supervisory roles, administrators are responsible for the performance and standards of care in their unit. Overall, the most important task is making sure that health care is being delivered to patients according to policy and ethical standards.

Medical office administrators must adapt to continuously changing needs based on technological advances and new information. Healthcare is being delivered in new ways, preventative care is becoming a focus, and changing legislation creates a need for new policies or budgets. Medical office administrators may also specialize in different areas such as clinical management or health information management.

In terms of the work environment, medical office administrators will typically split their time between a private office and visiting individuals around the facility. They tend to work very long hours that can be stressful but very rewarding. Since most of the facilities that medical office administrators work at run twenty-four hours a day, they may have to handle emergencies or unexpected dilemmas at odd hours. In general, they typically work full time or forty hours per week. There is little travel involved in this job -- only for occasional meetings and seminars.

Career Specializations

• Clinical Managers: These individuals typically have clinical training and manage one specific area within a hospital. They should have at least a bachelor's degree in this area of expertise.
• Health Information Managers: These individuals specialize in working with patients' records within the hospital. They keep regular maintenance of these records and protect their overall security.

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Degree Levels

• Bachelor's Degree: 4 years
• Master's Degree: 2-3 years

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Education and Certification Requirements

Individuals interested in pursuing a career as a medical office administrator must have achieved a master's degree in this field. Some departments allow people to start off in entry level positions with only a bachelor's degree. If a student wishes to manage a specific type of facility, it is recommended to receive their bachelor's degree in the specialty area and then receive a master's in medical office administration. Overall, the bachelor's degree will take about four years for the student to complete and the master's will take an additional two to three years.

In order to work in a nursing facility, some individuals are required to pass a state-administered certification examination. Some states are now starting to require this certification for medical office administrators in assisted living facilities as well, but this does vary. Other than that, a bachelor's or master's degree is the only requirement in order to pursue a career in this field upon graduation.

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Salary Information

Salary in the medical office administration typically depends upon the title that the medical office administrator has as well as how many years they have been in the job. The three most basic levels are secretarial or assistant medical office administration, department heads, and hospital directors. The yearly salary for these different positions varies between $51,000-$144,000. Many of the best salaries can be found in upper-level supervisory positions at general medical or surgical hospitals. (BLS)

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Job Outlook

According to the United States Department of Labor, the current employment rate for medical office administration is growing at quite a fast pace. Individuals who have experience, strong educational backgrounds, and very solid management skills will have the best job opportunities. In addition, individuals who have specific experience with larger facilities will be put at an advantage. The industry as a whole is predicted to grow an additional 16 percent throughout the 2008-2018 decade.

Most of the job growth over this decade will be happening in health practitioner offices, and not necessarily the larger medical facilities. There is a current demand for group practice management. The growth in the industry is due to demand from demographic shifts, new technology, and new industry regulations. (BLS)

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Related Careers

Medical assistants work in many different medical establishments such as clinics, hospitals, doctors' offices, or rehabilitation centers. They perform both administrative and clinical tasks. The work that they do on a daily basis depends on the type of medical establishment that they are employed by, as well as the size.

Public health workers direct and organize many different activities within communities. They work within government budgets to provide education and outreach with the goal of raising awareness about health hazards and improving the quality of life within communities.

Physician assistants work under the direct supervision of physicians, but are able to perform a number of the same duties such as diagnosing patients and even prescribing medications. This position is attractive because of the decreased legal liabilities and more manageable workload and schedule.

Healthcare information systems consultation involves the design and maintenance of computer software systems that store and organize medical records. These files are extremely important for legal and insurance reasons as well as for the proper care of patients.

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