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Medical Administrative Assistant

Occupation Information table
Overview: Medical administrative assistants classify, summarize and file patients' diagnostic records produced by physicians and medical laboratories. They schedule appointments and prepare and summarize reports needed for medical insurance purposes and prepare patients' invoices.
Duties: They schedule patients for medical examinations and interviews by physicians and for laboratory tests such as X-rays and blood tests. They organize files for each patient.

They determine whether each patient has completed all the tests and has provided all the medical background and history information requested by physicians.

They contact patients to advise them of dates and times for medical examinations and how to prepare for these tests such as diet, exercise and how to dress.

They update each patient's file with the results of all new tests, and the results of the treatments, medications and procedures prescribed by the physician.
Degree(s): A.S. Health Sciences 
A.S. Liberal Arts and Sciences (Mathematics and Science) 
A.A.S. Medical Office Assistant 
Job Outlook: Employment in this field is projected to grow 14% or higher from 2018 to 2028, which is much faster than the average projected growth for all occupations.
Salary Range (National Average): $26,000 to $31,000
Growth: Growth
Education Level: Training for this occupation generally requires a High School Degree, plus additional coursework in a vocational or technical school. In some cases, employers may require an Associate Degree.
Additional Training/Education: A two-year associate degree in medical records administration is the usual educational requirement for entry positions in this field. Courses include medical classification schemes for diseases, anatomy, physiology, legal aspects of medical records, statistics, computer-aided data base organization and information retrieval. Most employers prefer applicants to be certified by passing a written examination.
Recommended Skills:
  • Actively looking for ways to help people.
  • Paying attention to what other people are saying, and taking time to understand the points being made.
  • Allocating and budgeting your time for different tasks so that things get done when needed.
  • The ability to understand complex written paragraphs, instructions, or reports.
  • Being aware of the reactions of others, and understanding why they react the way they do.
  • Talking, giving speeches, or speaking in a group to convey information, explain ideas, or give instructions.
Recommended Values:
  • Being involved in helping other people in a direct way either individually or in a small group.
  • Having a routine job where the duties are very predictable and not likely to change over a long period of time.
 

* National data collected by the Department of Labor in 2014 with projections through 2024. For New York green job information .

* For New York salary data information .

* For New York green job information .

Understanding acquiring positions in this field may be enhanced through continuing academic study (i.e. earning a baccalaureate or a master's degree) and/or work experience in the field, Queensborough Community College has established transfer agreements with other institutions for students who wish to further pursue their educational goals. Students are highly encouraged to meet with one of our Career Services to fully understand the opportunities available through study in their degree program.