Associate in Medical Office
Over the past few years, the healthcare industry has grown rapidly to meet the demands of a fast-growing population. As modern medical care continues to become more complex and there is an increased application of technology in the field of healthcare, there is an increasing need to effectively manage administrative duties at hospitals and clinics around the country. From communicating with patients and ensuring the quality of services provided to working with doctors, nurses and other staff to ensure a high standard of care, medical office administrators perform a wide range of duties. They are also charged with managing patient records, medical insurance processing, coding and billing, financial management, scheduling and other day-to-day office tasks. An Associate in Medical Office degree is a great way to develop the skills and knowledge required to succeed in the field of healthcare administration and kick-start your career in the healthcare industry.
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The admission requirements for an Associate in Medical Office degree are a high school diploma or GED. Students enrolled in Medical Office Associate Programs can graduate in eighteen months to two years. Associate of Medical Office programs usually start off with courses in Communication, Mathematics and Information Literacy. Students then go on to take courses such as Medical Terminology, Pathophysiology, Pharmacology and Anatomy. Courses in Database Applications, Keyboarding, Medical Billing and Insurance Claims Processing, Medical Coding, Medical Record Management, Healthcare Systems and Operations, Health Information Management, Financial Management, and Client Services are also included in the coursework for the Associate in Medical Office degree. Once students complete these courses, they are required to complete an internship at a healthcare facility in order to gain exposure to the practical side of medical office administration.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the creation of more than three million jobs in the healthcare industry, and an annual growth rate of 22 percent through 2018, which is much higher than the average for other sectors. Graduates of an Associate in Medical Office program can find employment as Admitting Clerks, Records Clerks, Office Assistants and Medical Secretaries at public and private hospitals, clinics and physicians' offices around the country.
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