What Does a Medical Office Manager Do?

Medical office managers are responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of a medical practice. They ensure that everything is running smoothly and effectively, from patient scheduling to billing procedures.

Medical office managers may also be involved in hiring new staff members or training current employees on best practices. They commonly work with doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals to make sure everyone is working together effectively toward the same goal—providing quality care to patients.

Medical Office Manager Job Duties

A medical office manager typically has a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Maintaining medical records by filing and updating them according to federal regulations
• Scheduling appointments and greeting patients as they arrive for their appointments
• Training, managing, and coaching staff to ensure that they are performing their jobs effectively
• Coordinating with insurance companies to ensure that claims are processed accurately and on time
• Managing the office staff by hiring, training, scheduling, and appraising employees’ performance
• Creating an inventory of supplies needed to maintain the office
• Ensuring that patients have access to billing and registration assistance when needed
• Reviewing insurance claims to determine whether they should be denied for billing errors or other reasons
• Updating computerized records with patient information such as vital signs and medical history

Medical Office Manager Salary & Outlook

Medical office managers’ salaries vary depending on their level of education and experience, the size of the medical practice, and the geographic location of the job.

• Median Annual Salary: $52,500 ($25.24/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $122,000 ($58.65/hour)

The employment of medical office managers is expected to grow much faster than average over the next decade.

As the large baby-boom population ages and people remain active later in life, demand for healthcare services is expected to increase. As a result, medical office managers will be needed to oversee the operations of medical practices and make sure that patients receive quality care.

Related: 25 Medical Office Manager Interview Questions and Answers

Medical Office Manager Job Requirements

A number of qualifications are necessary to become a medical office manager, which may include:

Education: Most medical office managers have at least a bachelor’s degree in health administration, health information management or a related field. Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have a master’s degree in health administration or health information management.

Training & Experience: Most medical office managers receive on-the-job training in their new role. This training may last for a few weeks to a few months and may include shadowing the current office manager, learning the office’s workflow and procedures and learning how to use the office’s software and equipment.

Certifications & Licenses: While certifications are not required for a role as an office manager in a medical office, they can be valuable in finding a job and increasing your earning potential.

Medical Office Manager Skills

Medical office managers need the following skills in order to be successful:

Communication: Communication is the act of conveying information through speech, writing or other methods. As an office manager, you may be responsible for communicating with patients, other medical staff and hospital administration. Effective communication can help you to convey information clearly and answer questions.

Organization: Organization is the ability to plan and execute tasks in a logical order. As an office manager, you may be responsible for managing multiple projects at once. Organization skills can help you prioritize tasks and delegate responsibilities to other staff members.

Time management: Time management is the ability to plan and execute tasks in a timely manner. As an office manager, you may oversee multiple tasks at once, so it’s important to prioritize your work and manage your time accordingly. This can help you ensure that you complete all of your tasks in a timely manner.

Problem-solving: As an office manager, you may be responsible for handling any issues that arise in the workplace. Your problem-solving skills can help you identify the issue, develop a solution and implement the solution effectively. This can help you maintain a positive work environment and keep your team members happy.

Teamwork: As an office manager, you may be responsible for supervising a team of medical professionals. This position requires you to be a team player who can work with others to achieve common goals. You can use your teamwork skills to foster a positive work environment where everyone feels valued and appreciated.

Medical Office Manager Work Environment

Medical office managers typically work in a medical office, clinic, or hospital. They usually work full time, and some may work evenings or weekends. Medical office managers may be on their feet for long periods of time and may have to lift or move heavy medical equipment. They may also be exposed to infectious diseases.

Medical Office Manager Trends

Here are three trends influencing how medical office managers work. Medical office managers will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.

The Growth of Telemedicine

The growth of telemedicine is a trend that is quickly changing the medical industry. This technology allows patients to see doctors and other healthcare professionals via video chat, which reduces the need for travel and saves both time and money.

As more and more people use telemedicine services, medical office managers will need to learn how to manage these interactions. This includes training staff on how to handle calls and chats, as well as ensuring that the office is equipped with the necessary equipment.

Patient Engagement Will Be Key

Patient engagement is becoming increasingly important in the medical field. Patients are now more involved in their own care, which means that medical office managers will need to be able to engage them in order to keep them happy and satisfied.

This trend requires medical office managers to be familiar with new technologies that allow patients to communicate with their doctors and nurses online. They also need to be able to create a positive environment where patients feel comfortable asking questions and sharing their thoughts.

More Use of Technology in Healthcare

The use of technology in healthcare is increasing at a rapid pace. This trend is being driven by the need to reduce costs while improving patient care.

Medical office managers can capitalize on this trend by becoming experts in using technology to improve efficiency and communication. They can also become familiar with the latest tools and software that can help them run their offices more effectively.

How to Become a Medical Office Manager

A medical office manager career can be a great way to start your career in the healthcare field. As a medical office manager, you’ll have the opportunity to work with a variety of professionals and learn about different aspects of the medical field. You’ll also gain experience managing people and projects, which is important for any career path.

To become a medical office manager, you’ll need to have a strong understanding of medical terminology, as well as knowledge of the various procedures and treatments used in the medical field. It’s also important to have good communication skills so that you can effectively communicate with patients and other members of the medical team.

Advancement Prospects

Medical office managers typically have a wide range of responsibilities, from overseeing day-to-day operations to handling finances and insurance. As such, they need to have a broad knowledge base and be able to wear many hats.

The most common way to advance in this career is to gain more experience. As medical office managers gain a better understanding of the inner workings of a medical practice, they may be promoted to positions with more responsibility, such as director of operations or chief financial officer.

Those who want to move up in the medical office management field may also choose to get a master’s degree in health administration or business administration. This additional education can lead to jobs in larger medical practices or in hospital administration.

Medical Office Manager Job Description Example

The Medical Office Manager is responsible for the overall management and operation of the medical office. They will be responsible for hiring and training staff, scheduling appointments, billing and coding insurance claims, and maintaining medical records. They will also be responsible for ensuring that the office runs smoothly and efficiently. The ideal candidate will have experience working in a medical office, be highly organized, and have excellent customer service skills. They will also be able to work well under pressure and be able to multitask.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Ensure that the medical office is running smoothly and efficiently by supervising staff, handling customer inquiries, and keeping accurate records
• Schedule appointments, confirm appointments, and reschedule appointments as needed
• Verify patient insurance coverage and process insurance claims
• Collect patient co-payments and payments for services
• Prepare and maintain patient medical records
• Code and process patient medical billing information
• Order and maintain office supplies
• Train new employees on office procedures
• Answer telephones and direct calls to appropriate staff members
• Greet patients and visitors in a professional and courteous manner
• Perform general office duties such as filing, faxing, and photocopying
• Maintain confidentiality of patient information

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, healthcare administration, or related field
• 5+ years experience in an administrative role in a medical office or hospital setting
• Working knowledge of medical billing and coding procedures
• Excellent communication, customer service, and interpersonal skills
• Strong organizational, time-management, and multitasking abilities
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and various medical office software programs

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Master’s degree in business, healthcare administration, or related field
• 7+ years experience in an administrative role in a medical office or hospital setting
• Experience with electronic health records (EHR) systems
• Certification in medical office management or healthcare administration
• Bilingualism