A medical administrative specialist is an office administrator who has specialized skills relating to the health field. This position was known at one time as a medical secretary, but as secretarial positions have evolved into more technical, specialized positions, the official name has evolved to reflect the increasing responsibility of the job as well. An administrative specialist in any capacity performs clerical tasks and manages office files, systems, and most of the daily functions required of office personnel. A medical administrative specialist performs all of these tasks, but must also have extensive knowledge of the medical field.
These specialists may work at a hospital, for a doctor in private practice, at a medical research facility, or for a state health department. The focus of a position may be in a specific area such as insurance billing or patient records, depending on the environment in which one chooses to work. Though each position may require specific medical knowledge, the general areas a specialist should be proficient in are medical communication and new office technologies that apply to those in the health field.
Many administrative professionals serve as the communication hub for an office or organization. This means it is their responsibility to keep abreast of changes in procedures and disseminate this information to staff. In a medical environment, it is essential for a medical administrative specialist to have a working knowledge of medical terminology in order to understand and properly communicate this type of vital information.
The specialist must also understand medical procedures, insurance billing practices, and laboratory procedures and tests. Health information is private and it's important that a medical administrative specialist knows what information is especially sensitive. This ensures that patients are not embarrassed or uncomfortable by mention of delicate topics in front of others.
The technical aspects of this job may include transcribing medical records, applying insurance codes in computerized billing systems, and managing a patient appointment scheduling system. Some jobs require knowledge of specialized electronic insurance systems such as Medicaid, and other jobs require advanced skills in mainstream office software. Since many physicians attend conferences and lectures to keep up with advancements in the medical field, some specialists spend a lot of time doing academic research and preparing presentations.
All medical administrative specialists must be proficient on a computer. All must be familiar with standard operating procedures for a medical office, and all must be familiar with medical terms. The most advanced medical administrative specialists will also vast knowledge in one or more medical specializations.
