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How Long Does It Take to Become a Medical Office Admin From an Online School?

Are you looking to work in a medical office? Want to get a diploma to learn everything you need to start as an entry-level medical office admin?

With the current pandemic and the shift away from in-class education, many vocational schools are embracing online programs. Are you still wondering how long it takes to become a medical office admin?

How Long Does It Take to Become a Medical Office Admin From a Online School?

Did you know that it takes only as little as five months to graduate from a medical office administration program if you attend full-time? For those who need to attend part-time or during the evening, you can graduate in as little as 10 months.

By graduating in months rather than years, you are prepared for a career in the medical field, and you can start earning right away. During Hunter’s medical office administration program, you will learn everything you need to know to become a medical office admin, a medical biller, or other medical office staffer.

So, what do you learn during the Medical Office Administration program?

Online Medical Office Administration Curriculum

An online medical office administration program will prepare you for an entry-level position in a physician’s office, urgent care center, clinic, or other medical facility, as well as health insurance and medical billing companies.

You will learn basic office administration skills, medical terminology, communication, billing and coding, and database management. You will also complete a career development class which will prepare you for your job search after graduation.

Basic Office Administration Skills

There are a couple of classes that focus on basic office administration skills. You will learn how to use Microsoft Word and proper keyboarding techniques to enter information into medical software and electronic medical records. The classes will teach you how to use special features of Word to create memos, business letters, and other documents that the medical office will use to help manage patients.

A class in the program will focus on Microsoft Excel spreadsheets so you can create worksheets to manage patients, vendor supplies, physicians’ calendars, and data entry. You will learn all the features of Excel you need to manage your work as a medical office admin.

Another class in this program teaches you how to use QuickBooks, computerized accounting software that is used for light bookkeeping. You will learn the knowledge and practical skills of bookkeeping to help manage patient billing, utility bills, and vendor invoices. In a subsequent class, you will learn about payroll processing, bank reconciliation, and inventory control.

Medical Terminology

There are many terms that you will need to learn so you can manage patient files, bill patients, and submit insurance claims. Medical terminology will include anatomy, body systems, physiology, pathology, diagnostic techniques, and medical treatments and procedures.

You will also learn the different abbreviations and prefixes of medical terms so that you can break down any term into its parts and identify what it means without memorization.

Communication

A large part of your job as a medical office admin is working with patients and colleagues in the medical office. Having good communication skills will help you properly answer the phone, schedule appointments, work with colleagues, and order supplies from vendors.

Communication is key to success as you work as a team in a medical office. Everyone counts on each other to stay informed to offer the best care to the patients.

Billing and Coding

While you perform your tasks at a medical office, you will use medical coding in every aspect of your work. During this online program, you will learn the different medical coding systems including ICD-10, CPT, and HCPCS. These coding systems are used by Medicare and insurance companies to keep track of patient procedures and treatments. They are used also to reimburse the medical practice for services performed.

Database Management

There will be a class on Microsoft Access, a popular database program, that will help you keep track of patient contact information and allow you to create forms and reports for the medical office.

Benefits of Online Medical Office Administration Programs

Online programs are important because they feature the benefits of online learning. Online programs are an excellent option for anyone looking to start a new career in the medical field.

Benefit 1—Convenience

During an online program, you can participate in the classes from home, saving on commuting time and expenses.

Benefit 2—Interactive Education

When you are one of many students sitting in a classroom, you listen, and the instructor speaks. You end up taking notes and spend most of your time just listening to the lecture and reading the book to learn your trade.

With an online program, you interact with instructors and classmates online. You have time to ask questions, get individual attention, and create relationships. Online schools offer a more interactive education.

Benefit 3—Support

When you attend a college and sit in class, you don’t always get the support you need to prepare for your career. With an online course, you get to speak directly with the instructor and can email classmates to ask questions or catch up on assignments. Technical schools tend to also have a smaller teacher to student ratio, making it easier to get extra help when needed.

Final Thoughts

By taking a medical office administration program, you will be prepared for an entry-level position as a medical office admin and have a leg up on the competition. And, with a little experience, you might use your diploma to move up to the level of office manager. Investing in a medical office administration program is an investment in yourself. And that is the best investment you can make.

Ready for a rewarding career as a medical office admin? The Medical Office Administration program prepares students with the skills and training necessary to provide excellent administrative support while working and playing a key role in running an efficient, productive office in a variety of medical and business environments.

Through a blend of classroom instruction and practical hands-on training, Medical Office Administration program students receive an in-depth education in computer data entry of patient information, patient files, filing systems and records, insurance claim filing, and billing and coding.

Contact us today to find out more about how to become a medical office admin on Long Island.