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Ashworth College Blog

How to Become a Medical Administrative Assistant

Written by Des Sinkevich on Wednesday, 22 December 2021. Posted in Healthcare

Medical admin assistant working at desk.

Healthcare jobs are more in-demand than ever! Workers are needed both on the frontlines and behind the scenes, filling vital roles to keep patients healthy and safe. If you’ve been considering a new career in the field, but don’t necessarily want to work directly with patients, becoming a medical administrative assistant can be a great fit. Here’s everything you need to know to take the next steps toward a rewarding career including training, salary information, and more!

What is a medical administrative assistant?

Medical administrative assistants are vital to a well-run physician’s office or clinic. They perform administrative and office tasks to make sure the office runs smoothly, patients are seen on time, and paperwork is filled out. Day-to-day, medical administrative assistants will schedule appointments, update records, order medical supplies, process invoices, and submit billing paperwork to insurance agencies.

What is the salary of a medical administrative assistant?

The average salary for an entry-level medical administrative assistant can vary based on state, employer, and experience. However, in 2020, the median salary for medical admins was $39,740 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. To earn even more, gaining industry certifications, specializing in something like medical coding and billing, and furthering your education can help! Medical administrative assistants who can do a variety of essential tasks can make a difference to a small office, so the more skills you have, the better for you and your employer.

What are the top skills medical administrative assistants need?

Medical administrative assistants need a few skills to be successful on the job. These include strong organizational skills, verbal and written communication skills, customer service skills, and an understanding of medical records, paperwork, and billing. Most who work in the field are friendly people-persons who can multitask and act as a go-between for doctors, nurses, and patients.

To be a successful medical administrative assistant, you’ll also need some more specialized skills such as knowledge of medical office software for scheduling and medical records management.

How much education is required to become a medical administrative assistant?

In general, you don’t need a degree or much education outside of a high school diploma to become an entry-level medical administrative assistant. However, while there may be no formal education requirement, many employers do prefer to see that you have some background and experience in the field or a similar role. In order to stand out from other applicants and increase your chances of getting in the door at a doctor’s office, earning a career diploma or completing medical administrative assistant training can make a difference. Through a top-ranking medical admin training program like Ashworth College‘s online Medical Office Assistant Certificate, you’ll learn the essentials of working in a medical office including:

  • The importance of HIPAA compliance
  • Filing and processing insurance paperwork
  • The laws and ethics of working in healthcare

While certification isn’t required to work as a medical administrative assistant, you can boost your resume and reaffirm your skills by sitting for an industry-recognized exam like the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant exam from the National Healthcareer Association. The cost of taking your exam is included in your affordable tuition!

How to seek employment as a medical administrative assistant

Once you’ve completed training and successfully gained your CMAA credential, it’s time to apply for jobs! Make sure you’ve updated your resume to include your certificate from Ashworth and the credentials you’ve earned to stand out during the application process. If you aren’t sure your resume looks ready to go or want help preparing for job applications and interviews, Ashworth College’s career services can help.

Start a new career today with Ashworth College

Taking the next step toward a new career doesn’t have to be challenging. With Ashworth College, you can learn how to become a medical administrative assistant on your schedule, from home! Learn more about our medical training programs and how to get started today by calling our expert admissions team at .

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