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FAQ – Medical Assistant Course
QUESTIONS LISTING
Q: What is a medical office assistant-specialist?
Q: Who uses the services?
Q: And it requires training?
Q: How does your program work?
Q: What does your program include?
Q: How long does it take to complete this program?
Q: Is this field for me?
Q: What are the best reasons for me to consider this field?
Q: How much can I expect to earn?
Q: What about expanding opportunities and horizons?
Q: What kind of software is used?
Q: How can I learn to do it?
Q: What equipment do I need?
Q: What else do I need?
Q: Do I need to be certified?
Q: Do you provide placement or otherwise provide work?
Q: So how do I get started?
Q: Anything else?
What is a medical office assistant-specialist?
A: Medical office assistants-specialists work in provider offices, individual physician practices, clinics, hospitals, virtually any care-provider setting. Regardless of what health care area office assistants may work in, they have close contact with patients, doctors, dentists, and other colleagues. They also may handle a wide range of duties. For example, they may meet arrivals at the front desk, schedule appointments, organize, update, and file charts and records, complete insurance forms, assist in the lab or pharmacy or with tests, treatments and therapies, convey lab report information to patients, renew telephone prescriptions, and assist with billing operations.
A: Medical and dental office assistants work in private practice, hospitals, clinics and elsewhere. In medicine, “private practice” includes general and family doctors, or those in specialties such as pediatrics, surgery, psychiatry, obstetrics, orthopedics, etc. In dentistry, it includes general practitioners, oral surgeons, orthodontists, periodontists, etc. In addition, other health care providers, some of whom do not necessarily have an M.D. or D.D.S. degree, use assistants: optometrists, chiropractors, physical therapists, podiatrists, osteopaths, psychologists, counselors, nutritionists, and homeopaths. Trained medical and dental office assistants also work in hospitals of many sizes and specialties, in emergency rooms, clinics, and convalescent centers.
A: Absolutely. It’s a specialized field, and becoming more so all the time. Individuals with diverse backgrounds are employed as office assistants. Education and training are natural benefits when applying for such jobs. Each practice will train for specific functions related to their particular operation after the hiring takes place. The better the educational process, the better likelihood of being hired.
A:It’s very simple. It is a home-based on-line distance learning program that is entirely self-paced. You do it in your own time frame at home. It is entirely platform learning based, so you are presented information, and then you are tested on it. You do not move forward until you fully grasp the topic you are working on.
What does your program include?
A: This state-of-the-art home training program consists of three modules: The basics of how a medical office works, policies and procedures, developing your assets and skills, tools and equipment, confidentiality laws, (HIPAA), laboratory and pharmacy training, and medical specialties. The second module is where you learn all about the process of billing, with an overview of coding. You are provided free medical billing software (including appointment scheduling) to practice with. The third module is Health Insurance Specialization. This comprehensive approach provides far more training than most schools do at a fraction of the cost (typical medical office specialist programs are $8000 to $20000 and take 8 months to a year).
How long does it take to complete this program?
A: It takes anywhere from 3 to 6 months (depending how much time you have to devote to the program). The average will be about 4 months. It is a theory and application process that is equivalent to 200 hours of instruction.
A: If you have at least average keyboard, organizational and communication skills, like to work with people, work well with others, are interested in the healing arts, and can learn and retain what you’ve learned, this could definitely be for you.
What are the best reasons I should consider this field?
A: The health care field is booming right now. Medical assistants and dental assistants in medical and dental offices are staying busy because of it! With Meditec’s home study course in medical and dental office assisting, you can prepare for an exciting clerical or administrative career in a private medical or dental practice, hospital, or clinic. We’ll give you solid, comprehensive training in medical assisting and dental assisting techniques. In your career path, you may also consider adding medical terminology and coding to your skill base. Those elements will lead to more and varied responsibilities, increased income potential, and ultimately may provide you with greater skills for medical office management-administrative functions.
How much can I expect to earn?
A: Salaries for medical office specialists vary. Salaries depend on the education and experience, with a national average of $28,000 to $35,000 depending on the geographic area. Since medical office assistants must work in the provider office, most positions are salaries, with benefits.
What about expanding opportunities and horizons?
A: The opportunities for expanding roles in your career are certainly good, as you build your experience, expand to other areas of expertise, as noted in the “Best Reasons” paragraph. If you like challenges, there is so much to be done in a provider office that those who accept them readily move into responsible positions and greatly add to the provider office persona with you an added asset.
What kind of software is used?
A: Most providers have patient management, billing, and accounts receivable software, from simple single doctor practices, to the larger clinic and hospital systems, including totally paperless medical record applications. For the most part, the basic elements are pretty standard, put a patient and the demographic information on-line, schedule an appointment, enter a charge, diagnosis, enter receipts/writeoffs. Meditec provides free training software from a major vendor (used in many doctor’s offices). You may also be assigned to word processing functions, spreadsheet calculations, etc.
A: Enroll in the course. Meditec has trained hundreds of people who sought new career opportunities without the need to leave home and avoid spending the $20,000 to do it. The programs work much faster than traditional training, so you will be out in the work place rapidly. We have streamlined the learning curve into a compact, no frills process sufficient to get you onto a fast-track career opportunity.
A: For the training, a computer with a modem or DSL to access the Internet, and be capable of downloading the billing software.
A: Not a thing except willingness and the excitement to learn something new:
A: Not yet, though the field has become more specialized, our certification is more than sufficient to enter the field successfully.
Do you provide placement or otherwise provide work?
A: Meditec does not guarantee placement or work. We do provide you the HomeBizBook, a good resource to network and find work. Your web-assisted research will also provide potential employer information for your future planning.
A: Call toll free 877.335.4072 or enroll on-line.
A: Only this: If you desire a specialized career that is in great demand, one that is immune to recession and other economic and industry fluctuations, and can land you the job you want, then look no further. If you’ve shopped the others, you know that it will take 8 months to a year, cost $8,000 to $20,000, plus your books, you’ll know your most cost-effective way by far to get on track in this exciting field is with us. Just do it!!
