Your Questions Answered - Medical Office Assistant (MOA)

Q. What do Medical Office Assistants do?

A. Here’s a list of typical MOA activities

• Schedule and confirm patient diagnostic appointments, surgeries and medical consultations.
• Compile and record medical charts, reports, and correspondence, using a typewriter or personal computer.
• Answer telephones, and direct calls to appropriate staff.
• Receive and route messages and documents such as laboratory results to appropriate staff.
• Greet visitors and patients, find out the purpose of a person’s visit, and direct them to appropriate staff.
• Interview patients in order to complete documents, case histories, and forms such as intake and insurance forms.
• Maintain medical records, technical library and correspondence files.
• Operate office equipment such as voice mail messaging systems, and use word processing, spreadsheet, and other software applications to prepare reports, invoices, financial statements, letters, case histories and medical records.
• Transmit correspondence and medical records by mail, e-mail or fax.
• Perform various clerical and administrative functions, such as ordering and maintaining an inventory of supplies.

Q. How do I know if I will like working as a Medical Office Assistant?

A. Sometimes, the only way to discover if you love something is to go ahead and try it.

Here are some questions you can ask yourself. If you answer yes to these, working as an MOA may be a good choice for you.

• Cooperation -- are you pleasant and do you have a good-natured, cooperative attitude?
• Attention to Detail -- are you careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks?
• Dependability -- are you reliable, responsible, and committed to fulfilling obligations?
• Adaptability/Flexibility -- are you open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace?
• Stress Tolerance -- can you accept criticism and deal calmly and effectively with high stress situations?
• Concern for Others -- are you sensitive to other people’s needs and feelings and will you be helpful on the job?
• Independence -- do you like to develop your own way of doing things, and can you work with little or no supervision and still get the job done?
• Integrity -- are you honest and ethical?
• Initiative -- are you willing to take on responsibilities and challenges?

Q. Where do Medical Office Assistants work?

A. MOAs work anywhere there is a doctor, including physician’s offices, hospitals, dental offices, nursing homes and in the military.

Q. Do I need to be licensed as a Medical Office Assistant?

A. Licensing is not mandatory, but it is highly recommended. Earning your license is the best way to show potential employers that you really do know how to perform the job, and that you are competent.

Q. How much money can I make?

A. According to Salary.com, entry level Medical Office Assistants in Metro Atlanta typically earn $23,000 annually.

Q. What’s the job outlook?

A. Great! Jobs in healthcare are in demand. In fact, this is one of the fastest growing industries in the country and because physicians have so little time for administrative work, they rely heavily on the people who help their offices run smoothly.

Completing the MOA program means you can also qualify to enroll in the Medical Billing/Insurance Specialist Certificate Program -- the obvious next step if you want to add even more skills and potential for success to your resume. Check it out.

Q. Are there additional fees for books or supplies?

A. Yes. You should check individual course descriptions for more information and approximate costs. Books may be purchased at the KSU Center Bookstore, which is located in the same building as your classes.