Medical & Dental Programs

Medical Office Administration

Carrington’s Medical Office Administration certificate program prepares graduates to work in front-office positions for a medical practice, healthcare facility or insurance company.

REAL-WORLD SKILLS

Our training prepares you for a career in the real world.

UPLEVEL IF YOU’D LIKE

Earn a Certificate of Completion in as few as 9 months.

MULTIPLE LOCATIONS

Conveniently available at 15 campuses (availability varies by campus).

AFFORDABLE TUITION

Affordable tuition varies by location, learn more now.

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Before coming to SJVC, I was at the end of the road, or so I thought. I had no hope for my future, no plans for a career, much less for success.Today I am a more confident, motivated individual who chooses to make a change for a brighter future, for me as well as for my children; and be a positive role model for those who, like me, once felt there was nothing more.

- Araceli C.

2015 Medical Office Administration Graduate

Career Opportunities

Earning a Certificate of Completion in Medical Office Administration from San Joaquin Valley College can prepare you for several jobs in a medical office, including roles such as:

Medical Secretary
Medical Receptionist
Physician Office Specialist
Medical Office Specialist
Health Unit Coordinator
Unit Secretary

Some of these career options may require education credentials, certification, or experience–which can vary by state. As you can see, there are many different career paths available for graduates.

What Will I Learn?

Medical Office Management

Billing Principles

ICD Coding

Practical Real-World Skills

Medical Office Administration FAQ

WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH A MEDICAL OFFICE ADMINISTRATION DEGREE?
Earning a Certificate of Completion in Medical Office Administration from San Joaquin Valley College can prepare you for several jobs in a medical office, including roles such as:
- - Medical Secretary
  - Medical Receptionist
  - Physician Office Specialist
  - Medical Office Specialist
  - Health Unit Coordinator
  - Unit Secretary
Some of these career options may require education credentials, certification, or experience–which can vary by state. To learn more about other opportunities in the healthcare industry, visit our program and course overview page.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO BECOME A MEDICAL SECRETARY?

SJVC’s Medical Office Administration program can take as few as nine months.
WHAT IS A MEDICAL SECRETARY?

Medical secretaries and administrative assistants mainly work at healthcare facilities or offices, performing daily tasks that keep operations intact. Whether they are scheduling appointments or tracking medical inventory, medical secretaries and administrative assistants have a variety of functions and work in various roles.
HOW DO I BECOME A MEDICAL SECRETARY?

Although secretaries can train on the job, medical secretaries may require additional training to learn industry-specific terminology. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, some medical secretaries learn industry-specific terminology and practices by attending courses offered at community colleges or technical schools. SJVC offers flexible classes, hands-on training, and affordable tuition rates by location. If you are interested in becoming a medical secretary, check out our resource page.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A MEDICAL ASSISTANT AND A MEDICAL SECRETARY?

Although there are some similarities between medical assistants and medical office administrators, they should not be used interchangeably. Medical assistants work directly with patients, doctors, and insurance companies¹–while medical secretaries manage the day-to-day tasks of a medical office.
WHAT ARE THE DUTIES OF MEDICAL SECRETARIES AND ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS?

As a medical secretary, you will use your skills, education, and experience to support a large number of operational functions. Medical secretaries transcribe dictation and prepare reports or articles for physicians or medical scientists. They also take simple medical histories of patients, arrange for patients to be hospitalized, or process insurance payments. Medical secretaries need to be familiar with medical terminology and codes, medical records, and hospital or laboratory procedures.² To learn more, please read the question below: What does a medical office administrator do?
WHAT DOES A MEDICAL SECRETARY DO?
Medical secretaries are responsible for a broad range of duties, some of which may include:²
- Arrange hospital admissions for patients
- Complete insurance or other claim forms
- Answer telephones and direct calls to appropriate staff
- Maintain medical records, technical library, or correspondence files
- Receive and route messages or documents, such as laboratory results, to appropriate staff
- Interview patients to complete documents, case histories, or forms, such as intake or insurance forms
- Perform various clerical or administrative functions, such as ordering and maintaining an inventory of supplies

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