Are you interested in working within the medical field, but have no formal training or medical education?
The healthcare business is a booming one, and there’s no shortage of need when it comes to helping in an administrative capacity.
If you’re thinking of exploring this industry, read on for five vital things you need to know about the average medical administrative assistant salary and much more.
1. How Much Does a Medical Administrative Assistant Salary Pay?
If you compare the medical administrative assistant salary to other office-related jobs, the pay is rather decent. The average salary for this position ranges from around $23,000 to just under $50,000 a year.
The median annual salary for this position as of 2018 comes in at around $37,000. Much of your salary will depend on where you live, what type of medical facility you work for, and your experience. But there’s plenty of room for growth in this field, and it’s a stable industry that always has a need for administrative assistants.
In terms of job stability, this field is still on the path to growing even more in the next few years. This means there’s always a demand for highly skilled and qualified medical administrative assistants, which gives you job security.
2. Your Work Environment May Vary
When you hear the term medical administrative assistant, you probably imagine yourself working in a busy hospital or ER. And while that may be the case, this position can also be filled in smaller private practices and clinics.
You might even be hired by a dental office or a small outpatient care center. Expand your horizons and apply with as many medical offices as possible. You’re not limited to just major hospitals, so be sure to send your resume to any business that’s operating in the medical field.
Think about your preference when it comes to finding the right fit. Do you enjoy quieter, smaller practices or do you love the hustle and bustle of a busy hospital lobby? The answer to these questions will help you determine which medical environment suits you best.
3. What Are Your Daily Duties?
From answering phones to filing patient paperwork, the details and duties of your job will vary from doctor’s office to clinic or medical institution. In general, most medical administrative assistants work at the front desk, and they’re the first person that most patients will see when they walk through the door.
You’ll want to have a pleasant personality for this job since you’re the person greeting patients daily. You will need to know how your practice schedules patients, how they take payments, and much more in order to be successful. The main purpose of this position is to handle patient scheduling, files, and processing paperwork.
Sometimes you may need to serve as a mediator between a patient and the medical staff. Your ability to remain calm and collected is key in order to handle some high-stress situations. Most of the time, medical offices are calm but there may be some instances where a patient is unhappy or confused and you may need to diffuse the situation.
4. There’s Room for Growth
Being an administrative assistant doesn’t mean you will be stuck at a desk all the time. In fact, most medical administrative assistants get the opportunity to move up in their field, make more money, and try something new.
If you want to get ahead, consider enrolling in a medical assistant program that can teach you things like coding and patient care. If you get formal training, you’ll be able to do more like take a patient’s blood, prep people for surgery, and more. This type of advancement usually comes with a higher pay scale, too.
For employees who register for a training program, the opportunities are much greater for growth. Many who complete the training before getting hired start off with more money and a higher position. It also gives you the chance to move around and grow as you continue to work for the clinic, private practice, or hospital.
5. You Need to Have the Right Skills
First and foremost, you’ll need to have excellent customer service skills as a medical administrative assistant. Patients rely on you to give them good information and to help them with questions, scheduling, and more.
But a great personality is just the beginning when it comes to this job. You will also need to have some experience with filing, typing, data entry, and good problem-solving skills. Any administrative position requires you to be a jack of all trades, so learn as much as you can while you work.
If you enroll in training before you’re hired, you will also get medical coding skills, which could put you at an advantage. Other valuable skills you’ll need include computer software skills, an understanding of medical terminology, and a grasp on medical billing procedures.
The Medical Field Needs You
Whether it’s a major hospital or a private practice, there’s always a need for quality, highly skilled medical administrative assistants. Now that you know more about this administrative assistant salary and the skills required, you can pursue your new career path.
There are all kinds of new medical jobs being created daily. For example, many hospitals and clinics prefer to hire a company to get a medical front desk for customer service purposes. These companies need employees to work their service and this is only one of the many different types of jobs the medical industry is creating.
Consider supplementing your job with training so you can move up faster and make even more. With good people skills and a solid understanding of the medical industry, you can set yourself up for a long-term career and success.
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