Online Medical Office Specialist Courses and Classes

Medical office specialists may be known as medical office assistants, medical office managers or medical transcriptionists. Online medical office specialist courses and programs are available online and usually result in an associate's degree, career diploma or certificate. Some online courses and programs may contain an in-person element during which students practice skills in an actual medical office setting.

Overview of Online Medical Office Specialist Courses

Medical office specialists handle administrative assisting or management duties in a medical office or hospital setting. They perform appointment setting, patient reception and billing issues. Most courses do not have any prerequisites for enrollment. Related degree or diploma programs such as medical office management or medical coding and billing often include similar, relevant coursework. Hybrid internship requirements may exist in many online programs due to the need for practical office experience. Fully online courses and programs may be limited and harder to find than on-campus courses. Possible careers for prospective students include medical administrative assistant, medical office manager and medical transcriptionist.

Course Requirements

Those enrolled in medical office specialist training courses need a computer with Internet, audio and video capacities. Word processing and spreadsheet software may be required for assignment completion and uploading. Internet bulletin boards, instant messaging and e-mail are often utilized for communication with instructors and fellow students. Courses or programs often include an internship requirement where some travel may be required.

List of Online Courses

Medical Terminology and Anatomy Course

This course discusses common medical office terminology, human diseases and disorders. It also examines human anatomy and physiology in terms of written and oral cataloging.

Computer Skills Course

Medical office specialists need computer skills in order to handle written communication, report writing, scheduling and billing. This class covers those topics while imparting keyboarding and word processing skills.

Medical Office Human Resources Course

Students learn how to professionally handle communication with office staff, patients and families. They study proper telephone and appointment scheduling methods. They also explore legal regulations and ethical concerns.

Medical Coding Course

Medical coding refers to the translation of diagnoses and procedures into standardized code numbers. To prepare, prospective medical administrators study Current Procedural Terminology (CPT). This course also introduces various types of health insurance and effective insurance claims processing.

Medical Billing Course

Students learn how to use medical software for billing, collection procedures and accounting. They practice typical financial transactions using an interactive approach, and then they must complete a comprehensive exam of major medical insurance programs.

Medical Transcription Course

Students use word-processing software to transcribe medical reports such as discharge summaries, operative reports and testing results. They may be trained on special typing input hardware. This course usually involves on-the-job training due to the necessity for speed and accuracy. It emphasizes language skills, proofreading and accuracy.