The demand for medical support services,
including medical office management, is anticipate to grow in the coming
years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Institutions offer
online certificate, diploma and associate's degree programs in medical
office management or administration. Online certificate and diploma
programs are similar. Associate's degree programs include general
education courses and allow a graduate to continue their education by
enrolling in a 4-year program.
Overview of an Online Certificate or Diploma in Medical Office Management Program
An online certificate or diploma in medical office management covers
the most basic duties, knowledge and skills needed to support the
smooth operation of a medical office. Students learn billing, record
filing, appointment setting and medical terminology. They also enhance
their competency in the areas of written correspondence and verbal
communication. A high school diploma or GED are needed for enrollment in
a program, and some institutions may require that students have at
least one year of office experience as well.
Courses in a medical office management certificate or diploma program
may be completed entirely online. Students may access all content
anytime through the school's website. Student-instructor interactions
are conducted via message boards, e-mail and phone. A certificate or
diploma is usually earned in less than a year.
Participation in an online program requires a personal computer,
Internet access and basic word processing and spreadsheet software. A
dial-up Internet connection is adequate, but schools recommend a
high-speed connection, such as DSL or cable.
List of Common Online Medical Office Management Certificate or Diploma Courses
Certificate or diploma programs are entirely focused on their topic
of study, and they don't usually include general education courses.
Medical office management certificate or diploma courses cover the
fundamentals of
office administration as they pertain to a health care environment.
Medical Terminology Course
This course covers common vocabulary terms used in medical care and
their meaning. Students also learn roots, prefixes, suffixes and
combinations thereof.
Medical Software Course
Students learn to use software applications designed to manage the
flow of medical information. Billing and electronic records software are
among the topics addressed in this class.
Office Procedures Course
This course surveys the full range of duties typically performed by
office managers, with particular emphasis on customer service and human
relations skills. Topics covered include phone etiquette, appointment
scheduling, filing and business correspondence.
Human Biology Introductory Course
This course provides students with the fundamentals of human biology.
The course focuses on basic functions and structure of the human body.
It also covers medical terminology.
Text Entry and Formatting Advance Course
Students hone their skills in the use of computer applications to
create office documents. Students learn how to create and produce
newsletters, legal documents, manuscripts and letters using techniques
like tabulation and business forms.
An online certificate or diploma in medical office management is the
minimum credential necessary for employment as an entry-level medical
office manager. Positions are available in private physicians' offices,
pharmaceutical companies, medical labs, medical clinics and hospitals.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (
www.bls.gov) projects
employment of medical office support workers as a category will increase
34% from 2008 to 2018. Growth will be driven by the aging U.S.
population's expanded need for medical services. According to
Payscale.com,
as of June 2010 medical office managers with less than one year of
experience earned median salaries of between $29,482 and $41,151.
Certificate or diploma holders with no other postsecondary education
may find it easier to obtain employment if they earn an associate's
degree. Medical office management associate's degree programs are
available online from a number of schools.
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