Medical Office Administration

Persons with a desire to work in today's modern medical office environment should consider a career in Medical Office Administration. Today's modern medical office professional is a productive, responsible, and efficient team member in large and small medical offices, clinics, and hospitals.

Successful graduates enjoy using computer applications, are good decision makers, and need little supervision. They exhibit good judgment and enjoy leadership in the medical office environment.

Studies emphasize medical office functions including medical terminology, medical transcription, medical coding, billing and insurance, as well as legal issues in the medical field.

Office management skills include medical records management, computer applications, word processing, data entry, basic accounting, and spreadsheets. Other essential topics include professional research and report writing, oral communications, critical thinking, and general psychology.

An internship is included as part of this curriculum program. A successful co-op work experience is helpful in seeking employment.

The Medical Office Administration profession is one of the fastest growing job sectors in the United States. Available positions are estimated to grow by 75 percent in the next five years. Jobs are plentiful throughout the tri-county service area of CCCC. Jobs are also plentiful in nearby counties where major medical centers are located.

Positions are available in doctors' offices, clinics, and hospitals. Additional employment opportunities can be found with insurance claims processors, medical laboratories, home healthcare agencies, health departments, and manufacturers of medical supplies and hospital equipment.

Classes for the first year of the Medical Office Administration degree are available on both the Harnett Main Campus and Lee Main Campus. The second year of the program is taught on the Lee Main Campus. Evening offerings of the core medical courses are taught on the Harnett Main Campus.

What type of work does the Medical Office Assistant do?
Medical Office Assistants perform highly specialized work requiring knowledge of technical terminology and procedures. They transcribe dictation, record simple medical histories, arrange for patients to be hospitalized, and order supplies. MOAs also need to be familiar with insurance rules, billing practices, and hospital or laboratory procedures.

Medical Office Assistants assume a wide range of responsibilities. They serve as an information manager for an office, schedule appointments and meetings, prepare insurance forms, organize and maintain paper and electronic files, manage projects, provide information via the telephone, postal mail, and e-mail.

Other positions you would be qualified for include: bookkeeping, accounting and auditing clerks, receptionists and information clerks, human resources assistants, and medical records and health information technicians.

Where would I work?
Medical Office Assistants usually work in physicians' offices, hospitals, or out-patient settings.

What education credential will I need to be successful in this field?
An Associates Degree in Medical Office Administration is the desired degree. Employers are increasingly requiring extensive knowledge of software applications, such as word processing, spreadsheets, and database management, in addition to the medical requirements. This degree will enable you to meet all of those requirements.

What can I expect in salary?
The median annual salary for Medical Office Assistants reported for the year 2000 was $23,430. The middle 50% earned between $19,530 and $28,120. The lowest 10% earned less than $17,000, and the highest 10% earned more than $34,510.

What Students Learn

Students successfully completing the Medical Office Administration Program will be able to:

  • Create various business tools using proper formatting, grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in job seeking skills.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in the area of keyboarding.
  • Explain basic concepts of medical techniques used in a health care setting.
  • Utilize the technical tools as needed to perform effectively within a medical setting.
  • Successfully perform in a co-op work experience program.
  • Produce business letters, memorandums, reports, forms, tables, resumes, and other business documents using proper formatting, grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
  • Research and write business reports and deliver effective oral presentations.

Please Note:
Curriculum guides are for students enrolled during the current academic year. Students enrolled in a previous academic year should visit the Program Evaluation link in Self-Service to find the required list of courses for graduation. For assistance, consult your advisor.