What Skills Will You Need to Be a Medical Administrative Assistant? 

Are you are interested in a healthcare career, but would rather stay out of the treatment room? A career as a Medical Administrative Assistant would allow you to be an important part of a healthcare team, without drawing blood or collecting patient lab samples. While most Medical Administrative Assistants work in private practices, you might also work in a large hospital, outpatient clinic, rehabilitation center, nursing home or hospice-care facility. Regardless of the setting, you’re likely to be the first person a patient sees when they arrive for a doctor visit. You represent the whole facility—and your profession. You’ll need stellar interpersonal skills, awesome organizational abilities, a calm demeanor, and a lot of patience.

What Medical Administrative Assistant Skills Could You Already Possess?

You may already have many of the skills you will need for a successful career as a Medical Administrative Assistant:

What Skills Will You Need to Become a Medical Administrative Assistant?

To work in a healthcare setting, you’ll need to learn about patient care delivery systems and the laws and regulations that govern the industry. You’ll need to learn the proper way to greet patients and update their data into medical record systems and use scheduling systems. You’ll also need to understand:

• Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology
• Medical Terminology for Health Professions
• Human Pathophysiology and Pharmacology
• Medical Law and Ethics
• Medical Records Management
• Healthcare Coding and Billing
• Medical Office Procedures Using Technology
• Medical Office Inventory and Supply Maintenance

Is there a Need for Medical Administrative Assistants?

Hospitals and clinics everywhere would not be able to function without Medical Administrative Assistants. They have been considered essential workers, especially during the coronavirus pandemic, and stayed on the job during some very challenging times.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Medical Administrative Assistant jobs are projected to grow much faster than average through 2028. And unlike many other in-demand healthcare professions, it won’t take years of schooling to qualify.

How Can You Become a Medical Administrative Assistant?

Because there are so many specific skills needed to complete medical administration duties, you’ll want a good education and proper training to work in this exciting field. An Associate degree program, rather than just a certificate, will help you learn the important skills you need to do the job and be competitive in the job market.

Many colleges offer training programs to become a Medical Administrative Assistant, but you will want to choose the one that meets your needs. When researching the schools that will make it onto your shortlist, keep the following questions in mind:

• Are classes offered online so they will be convenient to your current work schedule?
• Will the school accept credits from a previous college you attended as well as credits for work experience, certifications you received, or national exams that you passed?
• Does the program offer a practicum that is required for graduates to be eligible to take a credentialing exam?
• Does the timeline to finish the degree fit with your future goals?

At National American University, we offer a Medical Administrative Assistant Associate Degree that will help prepare you for a rewarding career. Do you already have some experience or a certificate in a medical or administrative field? You may be able to transfer those credits to your degree program so you can start ahead. Call 800-209-0182 to speak to a counselor or fill out the form to request more information.