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what are some tips that you would recommend ?
what tips would you give me for just starting medical admin?
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Doc’s Answer
Veronica 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.
ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS
One of the most important medical office assistant skills is strong organization. In a health setting, you’ll be responsible for managing schedules, maintaining patient records, and coordinating various administrative tasks. Moreover, being organized allows you to keep track of appointments, ensure timely communication, and handle paperwork efficiently. By staying organized, you not only enhance productivity and reduce errors, but also help ensure that patients receive excellent service.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Communication is a significant aspect of your job as a medical office assistant. Throughout their day, assistants engage in various forms of communication, such as phone calls with doctors, patients, insurance adjusters, and lab administrators.
TECHNOLOGY KNOWLEDGE
Proficiency in technology is an essential skill for any medical office assistant. Workers in the medical field use a variety of technology including electronic health records (EHR) systems, scheduling software, and other healthcare-related applications
FLEXIBILITY
Perhaps one of the greatest challenges of modern healthcare is scheduling. Many patients and doctors have ever-changing lives. Consequently, they often need to reschedule appointments.
ATTENTION TO DETAIL
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical office assistants in most settings handle confidential patient information. This includes things like patient records, medical histories, and insurance documentation. Thus, being meticulous and paying attention to the smallest details ensures accuracy in data entry while maintaining confidentiality. In fact, medical office assistants must follow the rules of HIPAA during the course of their career, so it’s essential that they know patient information handling requirements.
ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS
One of the most important medical office assistant skills is strong organization. In a health setting, you’ll be responsible for managing schedules, maintaining patient records, and coordinating various administrative tasks. Moreover, being organized allows you to keep track of appointments, ensure timely communication, and handle paperwork efficiently. By staying organized, you not only enhance productivity and reduce errors, but also help ensure that patients receive excellent service.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Communication is a significant aspect of your job as a medical office assistant. Throughout their day, assistants engage in various forms of communication, such as phone calls with doctors, patients, insurance adjusters, and lab administrators.
TECHNOLOGY KNOWLEDGE
Proficiency in technology is an essential skill for any medical office assistant. Workers in the medical field use a variety of technology including electronic health records (EHR) systems, scheduling software, and other healthcare-related applications
FLEXIBILITY
Perhaps one of the greatest challenges of modern healthcare is scheduling. Many patients and doctors have ever-changing lives. Consequently, they often need to reschedule appointments.
ATTENTION TO DETAIL
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical office assistants in most settings handle confidential patient information. This includes things like patient records, medical histories, and insurance documentation. Thus, being meticulous and paying attention to the smallest details ensures accuracy in data entry while maintaining confidentiality. In fact, medical office assistants must follow the rules of HIPAA during the course of their career, so it’s essential that they know patient information handling requirements.
Thank you so much for the advice Doc, I appreciate your time
Veronica
Updated
Manish’s Answer
I believe this job can open a window of opportunities for you within healthcare. A lot of healthcare professional degrees (doctor, nurse, RT, PT, OT etc.) will value the experience you gain through this job. So great job on taking the first step towards a lifelong career in healthcare (if that is what you wish to do!). If you ever plan on pursing a healthcare related degree, make sure this experience is very well highlighted in your resume.
I would broadly categorize the skills required to 4 buckets:
1. Technical Skills:
In today's healthcare industry it is absolutely important to know how to use most of the MS Office Tools (Word, Excel etc.) and basic scheduling and billing software/ website. However, most organizations will train you in these if they the software or websites used are unique and complex but make sure to be attentive and continue to learn more about technical skills that are required.
2. Communication Skills:
This is by far the most important skill - learn how to talk to your patients, providers, and managers. This creates your reputation at your workplace. Be polite, learn to communicate clearly, and always accept feedback well. Always remember that the patients are going through difficult times and treat them with compassion.
3. Medical Knowledge:
You will need to know basic medical terminology and use it often with patients and providers. Make sure you ask your supervisors for a good source to learn more about these terms. If you do not know something, do not guess - please ask a supervisor or a colleague for help.
4. Organizational Skills:
Healthcare clinics have a lot of moving parts and need their employees to be very well organized. Make sure that everything that you schedule, bill, assign is accurate and organized. It is important to document it all as well. In healthcare, 'If you don't document it, it did not happen'.
All the best and good job on taking the first step towards a rewarding career in healthcare.
I would broadly categorize the skills required to 4 buckets:
1. Technical Skills:
In today's healthcare industry it is absolutely important to know how to use most of the MS Office Tools (Word, Excel etc.) and basic scheduling and billing software/ website. However, most organizations will train you in these if they the software or websites used are unique and complex but make sure to be attentive and continue to learn more about technical skills that are required.
2. Communication Skills:
This is by far the most important skill - learn how to talk to your patients, providers, and managers. This creates your reputation at your workplace. Be polite, learn to communicate clearly, and always accept feedback well. Always remember that the patients are going through difficult times and treat them with compassion.
3. Medical Knowledge:
You will need to know basic medical terminology and use it often with patients and providers. Make sure you ask your supervisors for a good source to learn more about these terms. If you do not know something, do not guess - please ask a supervisor or a colleague for help.
4. Organizational Skills:
Healthcare clinics have a lot of moving parts and need their employees to be very well organized. Make sure that everything that you schedule, bill, assign is accurate and organized. It is important to document it all as well. In healthcare, 'If you don't document it, it did not happen'.
All the best and good job on taking the first step towards a rewarding career in healthcare.
Updated
Sharie’s Answer
Hi Veronica,
This is a great question. I would consider some of the following tips/actions:
Gain Practical Experience: Internships or part-time roles in healthcare settings can help you understand the nuances of the job and make you more attractive to employers.
Develop Essential Skills: Proficiency in computer skills, particularly with medical software and Microsoft Office Suite, is important. Other valuable skills include communication, organization, customer service, and problem-solving.
Stay Current with Healthcare Industry Trends: Keeping up-to-date with changes in healthcare regulations, insurance policies, and patient privacy rights is crucial. Join professional associations (i.e. American Association of Healthcare Administration Management etc.) and attend seminars or webinars to stay informed.
Networking: Build relationships with professionals in the field. Networking can lead to job opportunities and valuable advice. Ensure your LinkedIn profile is up to date and connect with those who share similar interests.
Showcase Compassion and Empathy: As a healthcare administrative assistant, you'll often interact with patients who may be dealing with distressing medical issues. Demonstrating compassion and empathy can greatly improve their experience.
Remember, succeeding as a healthcare administrative assistant requires a balance of technical knowledge, administrative skills, and interpersonal abilities.
This is a great question. I would consider some of the following tips/actions:
Gain Practical Experience: Internships or part-time roles in healthcare settings can help you understand the nuances of the job and make you more attractive to employers.
Develop Essential Skills: Proficiency in computer skills, particularly with medical software and Microsoft Office Suite, is important. Other valuable skills include communication, organization, customer service, and problem-solving.
Stay Current with Healthcare Industry Trends: Keeping up-to-date with changes in healthcare regulations, insurance policies, and patient privacy rights is crucial. Join professional associations (i.e. American Association of Healthcare Administration Management etc.) and attend seminars or webinars to stay informed.
Networking: Build relationships with professionals in the field. Networking can lead to job opportunities and valuable advice. Ensure your LinkedIn profile is up to date and connect with those who share similar interests.
Showcase Compassion and Empathy: As a healthcare administrative assistant, you'll often interact with patients who may be dealing with distressing medical issues. Demonstrating compassion and empathy can greatly improve their experience.
Remember, succeeding as a healthcare administrative assistant requires a balance of technical knowledge, administrative skills, and interpersonal abilities.