The medical office manager is an important member of the administrative team who has a variety of responsibilities based on the needs and business objectives of the employer. Most facilities in the healthcare industry hire many people to help carry out the administrative tasks associated with the delivery of care process. While there are similarities in the tasks performed in different facilities, the medical office manager job description will vary based on the unique challenges that arise in various branches of the healthcare system. Those who are considering this career path are well-advised to evaluate the responsibilities associated with a particular position before signing an employment contract.

Basic Tasks Included in the Medical Office Manager Job Description

The managerial career path is an extremely diverse employment opportunity that can lead to several rewarding work experiences. Individuals who have become part of the administrative team often spend a number of years working in entry-level and middle-level management positions before becoming an office manager. This approach allows managers to gain exposure to many different aspects of business operations before gaining control of large numbers of office staff. Though the responsibilities associated with different offices are variable, there are a few tasks that nearly every individual in this position will be expected to perform. Some of these responsibilities include…

• Ensure efficient and effective delivery of care
• Confirm compliance with state and federal legislation
• Supervise members of the office staff and assistants
• Review financial documents
• Modify billing and collection policies
• Establish work schedules and holiday breaks
• Participate in investor and board meetings
• Monitor patient health and well-being
• Coordinate office meetings and communicate with personnel

Additional tasks included in the medical office manager job description will generally reflect the type of environment where they work. Some administrators are responsible for large organizations while others might only be in charge of a single department, clinic, or group practice. Those that work in smaller establishments may be required to directly communicate with physicians, nurses, and other allied health providers while administrators in large facilities may have assistants who are tasked with staying in regular contact with clinical providers. For this reason, it is important for aspiring administrators to decide which environment best aligns with their long-term career objectives and which steps should be pursued in order to secure employment in a position that will provide high levels of personal and professional satisfaction.

Essential Knowledge and Skills

Effective management of a medical establishment requires detailed knowledge of how the different components of the system operate and an ability to motivate staff in a productive and consistent manner. Those who have worked under the supervision of a manager can appreciate the unique set of knowledge, skills, and personality traits that are required to manage people. When hiring applicants to administrative positions, employers consider several factors that are essential to the success of the manager and the organization. Detailed requirements are typically included in the medical office manager job description. Those who wish to pursue a career as a manager should have knowledge of…

• Fundamental principles of business management
• Protocols for providing high quality customer service
• Human resource management
• Economic and accounting principles
• Local, state, and federal industry regulations
• Diagnostic and treatment procedures used in the facility
• Basic mathematics
• Equipment operation and maintenance
• Technological advancements that could improve delivery of care

In addition to a well-established understanding of the technical aspects associated with operating a medical facility, the managerial staff should possess key character qualities that allow them to communicate with other people in a productive manner. Some of the most common skills found in the medical office manager job description include an ability to speak clearly, to actively listen, think critically, make decisions, manage one’s time, convey words in a concise manner, build teams, solve problems, collect information, analyze data, and practice rational reasoning. All of these skills combined can take several years to develop and demonstrate why it may take awhile for those who are new to the industry to work their way up the administrative ladder.

Individuals considering this career path should anticipate that they will be expected to acquire years of experience in order to develop the knowledge, skills, and attributes needed in order to help manage facilities and personnel. In addition, most employers prefer to hire applicants who have completed at least a Bachelor’s Degree in a business related major. Those who have a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration are in very high demand because they have the type of credentials that demonstrate a strong interest in becoming an upper level administrator. In fact, the medical office manager job description will often indicate that a graduate degree is strongly desired. This is not to say that all upper-level administrators have an advanced degree, but that the trend has shifted towards the hiring of applicants who have formal credentials.

A career as an administrator is an excellent employment opportunity. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the industry is expected to grow by 23% over the next ten years. This rate of expansion is faster than the average for all other occupations and indicates that work opportunities in the field. You will remain strong for the foreseeable future. Those who position themselves to benefit from the growth in the healthcare sector can be certain that they will enjoy several years of rewarding employment as they strive to improve the quality of care that is offered to the public.