The healthcare industry relies on more than just doctors and nurses—skilled administrative professionals are key to making sure that medical facilities run smoothly. If you want to be part of the team that keeps clinics and hospitals humming along, a medical office administration (MOA) program could be the perfect starting point.
MOA programs prepare you for entry-level roles in clinics, hospitals, and private practices. But they can also serve as a stepping stone to leadership positions in healthcare administration.
In this post, we explore the key aspects of MOA programs. Discover the skills you’ll gain and the career paths you can pursue.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- What is a Medical Office Administration Program?
- How Do MOA Programs Prepare Students for Workplace Success?
- Career Opportunities for MOA Graduates
- Building a Foundation for Healthcare Leadership
- Why Administrative Roles are Crucial in Healthcare
- Is a Medical Office Administration Program Right for You?
WHAT IS A MEDICAL OFFICE ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM?
Medical office administration (MOA) programs are designed to equip students with the essential skills and knowledge to work as administrative support staff in various healthcare settings. They aim to ensure that graduates can manage administrative tasks, maintain accurate records, streamline office operations, and contribute to a positive patient experience.
Medical office administration training typically covers a wide range of topics, including:
- Medical terminology
- Anatomy and physiology
- Insurance and bill processing
- Healthcare office software
- Patient registration
- Scheduling
- Reception desk management
- The use of electronic health record (EHR) systems
- Basic clinical procedures
MOA programs also emphasize soft skills such as effective communication, organizational abilities, and problem solving, which are critical for interacting with patients and healthcare professionals.
“The most important skills we teach in the MOA program break down into two categories,” says Herzing MOA instructor Ayo Adetoro.
“The first category is administrative, which includes how to triage clients, coordinate and review diagnostics, and liaise between physicians and other healthcare providers. The second category is clinical skills, which includes educating clients, assisting as required during examinations, measuring and documenting vital signs, computer skills, and interpersonal communication.”
HOW DO MOA PROGRAMS PREPARE STUDENTS FOR WORKPLACE SUCCESS?
In addition to classroom lessons, many MOA programs include clinical placements or internships that allow students to gain valuable real-world experience in a healthcare setting. It’s not unusual for students to get hired directly from their internships.
Herzing graduate Priscilla Grant is just one example of a student whose MOA internship led to full-time work. “I did my internship at Carefor Health and Community Services. I worked in the medical records department. I retrieved files for discharged occupational and physical therapy clients to be boxed and shipped to a storage location,” she told us.
“While I was at my placement, I saw there were job vacancies. So I applied, and on my last day of the internship, I got a call to come in for an interview. After the interview, I was offered the job and started working at Carefor Health and Community Services full time as a Client Service Coordinator.”
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR MOA GRADUATES
MOA grads are qualified for entry-level healthcare administration roles in:
- Medical clinics
- Private medical practices
- Dental offices
- Physiotherapist clinics
- Hospitals
- Nursing homes
- Residential care facilities
And there are plenty of opportunities out there, as Herzing career services specialist Caroline Glowatski can attest.
“We have probably three employers a week contacting us directly, not through Indeed or anything,” she says. “They’re contacting us saying, hey, do you have an MOA student or grad for me? And we hate turning these people down because they’re good employers. But there just aren’t enough grads to meet the demand.”
BUILDING A FOUNDATION FOR HEALTHCARE LEADERSHIP
MOA programs introduce students to medical terminology, health office procedures, and medical ethics. This combination of skills can serve as a foundation for advanced roles in healthcare administration.
Ayo says graduates can work their way up depending on the type of setting they start in.
“Most doctors are trending toward group practice, where you have multiple practitioners under the same roof. They hire medical office assistants at the entry level. But they also need an office manager to coordinate the activities for all members of the practice and handle the day-to-day operation of the clinic,” he says.
“There’s also room to move up within hospitals and larger medical structures. If you prove yourself as a medical office assistant, you can move on to become a department head or an administrator who’s in charge of more tasks and overseeing more areas. With time, you may have subordinates report to you, etc.”
However, Ayo also stresses the importance of continuing education. Don’t expect to stop learning just because you finished your diploma!
“If you want to progress in the area of administrative functions, look for administrative courses. If you’re looking more at the clinical area, and want to become a phlebotomist for instance, you will have to take a dedicated course.”
WHY ADMINISTRATIVE ROLES ARE CRUCIAL IN HEALTHCARE
Imagine a busy clinic that sees dozens of patients daily. Without effective administrative support, the clinic’s operations could quickly fall into chaos.
Let’s say a family calls to schedule an appointment for their child, but the front desk staff is poorly trained or overwhelmed. The staff member mistakenly books the appointment under the wrong name or fails to confirm insurance details. When the family arrives, the error causes delays in registration, leading to frustration for both the family and the medical staff. Meanwhile, the doctor is left waiting for patient charts, causing delays in care and creating a backlog of appointments.
Now consider the same clinic with skilled medical administrative assistants. The staff efficiently handles appointment scheduling, ensuring accurate and timely bookings where insurance is verified beforehand. When the family arrives, the administrative team ensures the doctor has access to the patient’s complete medical history via a well-maintained electronic health record system. The smooth flow of information allows the doctor to focus on providing care, which reduces stress and increases patient satisfaction.
Effective administrative support is not just about clerical tasks—it’s about optimizing the entire patient experience and ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of the healthcare facility.
IS A MEDICAL OFFICE ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM RIGHT FOR YOU?
Not sure if an MOA program is the right fit? Here are some questions to ask yourself:
- Are you seeking a stable and rewarding career in the healthcare industry?
- Do you enjoy working with people and providing excellent customer service?
- Are you comfortable learning new technologies?
- Can you handle sensitive patient information in a discreet way?
“Some people want to get into the medical field because they have it in them to help. They have a very caring disposition,” says Ayo.
“Some people look at it as a profession that is less stressful as compared to working in a warehouse, for instance. They see health care as a safe environment where you are respected and you are contributing to society.”
KICK-START YOUR HEALTHCARE ADMINISTRATION CAREER
Quality medical office administration training can set the stage for a fulfilling career in the healthcare industry. The MOA program from Herzing College can get you job-ready in no more than a year. Training includes an internship for hands-on work experience.
Still have questions? Our admissions team can walk you through course schedules, application procedures, financial aid options, and more.
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