Medical Office Administration
Program Details
What Will I learn
Carrington College’s Medical Office Administration program provides the knowledge and technical skills for positions in medical front-office operations. Upon completion of the Medical Office Administration program, graduates will be able to:
- Perform administrative skills such as scheduling and receiving patients as well as charting and maintaining patient records.
- Operate and manage a computerized medical office that includes bookkeeping and accounting tasks.
- Code, submit, and manage insurance claims accurately.
- Manage emergency situations requiring CPR or first aid.
- Communicate effectively orally and in writing using correct medical terminology and demonstrate the skills required to be prepared for professional certification exams.
- Relate and apply concepts of communication, reasoning, critical analysis, ethical behavior, and appropriate interpersonal interaction to situations in his or her career and personal life.
- Demonstrate the social skills, professional appearance, attitudes, and behavior that employers expect of all graduates.
With real-world training and a career-focused curriculum, this program canhelp you prepare for entry-level roles in medical practices. Graduates of the Medical Office Administration program are eligible to sit for the National Certified Medical Office Assistant (NCMOA) exam or the National Certified Insurance & Coding Specialist (NCIS) exam offered by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT). Carrington College prepares students to take appropriate certification and licensure exams related to their individual majors. The College does not guarantee students will successfully pass these exams or be certified or licensed as a result of completing the program.
Cost & Financial Aid
Your education is an investment in your future, and Carrington College is here to help. We offer a variety of financial aid options, including federal, state, and private programs, Sas well as student loans, grants, and scholarships are available for those who qualify. Each program has different requirements and application instructions. Our team is here to guide you through the options and application process.
Academic Cost
For complete information on current tuition costs, please see the Academic Catalog.
Location Availability
Carrington College is proud to offer our program in Medical Office Administration at multiple locations:
Accreditation & Approvals
Carrington College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, 428 J Street, Suite 400, Sacramento, CA 95814; 415 506 0234 an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education. Additional information about accreditation, including the filing of complaints against member institutions, can be found at accjc.org.
For comprehensive information on Carrington College’s accreditation and approvals, visit carrington.edu/accreditation-and-approvals/.
Course Catalog
Program Specific Disclosures
Continuing Education For Graduates
Graduates of this Certificate of Achievement program can apply their credits towards earning an Associate of Science degree in Health Studies by completing courses online.
Student Outcomes
HANDS-ON TRAINING
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Discover What It’s Like to Train to Become a Medical Secretary at Carrington College
Career Opportunities
Earning a Certificate of Achievement in Medical Office Administration from Carrington College prepares graduates to work in front-office positions for a medical practice, healthcare facility, or insurance company.
What Will I Learn?
Medical Office Management
Billing Principles
ICD Coding
Practical Real-World Skills
Check out our guide on becoming a Medical Secretary and Administrative Assistant in California.
Medical secretary and administrative assistants act as the glue that holds together all the other pieces of the health care experience and allows doctors and other professionals to deliver the best possible care to patients.
Medical Office Administration FAQ
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HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO BECOME A MEDICAL SECRETARY?
Carrington College’s Medical Office Administration program can take as few as nine months to complete.
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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.
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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 Statistics2, some medical secretaries learn industry-specific terminology and practices by attending courses offered at community colleges or technical schools.
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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.
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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 may 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
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WHAT DOES A MEDICAL SECRETARY DO?
Medical secretaries and administrative assistants 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