Becoming a Medical Office Manager

Medical office managers are responsible for running medical offices from a managerial point of view. Like any manager, this individual ensures that the office runs well and efficiently. It is important to ensure that the office is saving money and keeping costs low.

Job Description
Depending on the size and type of the practice, the job of a medical office manager can range greatly. In most cases, the manager supervises the secretary, receptionist, and other staff. A medical office manager must be familiar with collecting payments and must be especially knowledgeable about all aspects of storing medical records. The manager may also handle scheduling or other tasks, depending on the size of the practice.

Job Requirements
A medical office manager should have strong communication skills, both oral and written. Paperwork and reports must be meticulously filled out, so attention to details and focus are very important. Like most managers, a medical office manager should be well organized and efficient. The work environment in a medical office can be stressful, so a manager must be flexible in this kind of setting.

Educational Requirements
Becoming a medical office manager can follow many different routes. Depending on the medical office and the management personnel of the office, requirements vary greatly. Different offices may desire different training and education requirements than the next. Many offices would prefer a bachelor’s degree in health administration, but many would be satisfied with a bachelor’s degree in business. In some cases, an associate degree can help gain employment as a medical office manager, but it is likely that experience would also be required. It is also possible that applicants without a strong educational background may qualify based upon medical office experience alone.

Salary
Like the job description, the salaries of medical office managers vary based on experience and the medical practice. Location can also play a significant role in salary size. A medical office manager could expect to make around $54,000 in gastroenterology offices and dermatology offices. For cardiology, the average is closer to $59,000. In obstetrics and gynecology medical office managers make around $45,000, in pediatrics $52,000, and around $47,000 for family or general practice medicine.

In conclusion, being a medical office manager can be a challenging, rewarding career field. Interested applicants should focus on degrees in health administration or business and have strong interpersonal skills. Good luck in your search!