What is A Medical Administrative Assistant?

You are enrolled or considering enrolling in a course that will train you to become a great medical administrative assistant (MAA). As you take this step it is important to know exactly what an MAA is and does.

Most have heard of a medical assistant who takes you back to see the doctor, draws blood, or gives shots, and others have heard of an administrative assistant, but when you put the two of these together, you get a medical administrative assistant (which we will refer to as MAA from here on out because it is such a long name!) Other titles for this position include medical receptionist, medical secretary, medical office administrator, front desk secretary, medical office secretary, medical office assistant, medical front office clerk, or medical scheduler. You could also switch out “medical” for “hospital” or “dental” for any of these titles. As you can see, there are many different positions and titles you may apply for. Although there are many names, most have the same or similar responsibilities. We hope our course will prepare you to be successful in each one.

As an MAA, you will have a wide variety of responsibilities depending on what type of office you work in and the individual office practices. Most MAAs perform routine administrative and clinical tasks to help keep a physicians’ office or clinic running efficiently. You might review and reply to correspondence, coordinate collections, prepare reports, keep records, answer calls, schedule appointments, greet patients, maintain files, update patient charts, transcribe dictation, order supplies,  and help with insurance and billing. You must also know basic office duties, such as faxing, printing, and copying.

As an MAA, you will often be the first point of contact for patients or clients, so it is important to be professional, friendly, and efficient. A good medical administrative assistant is very valuable. You will want to maintain a well-organized, clean, and efficient office. If not well-maintained, patients may lose their confidence in the medical office, staff, and doctors, and they may seek care elsewhere. It is often the MAAs’ responsibility (among many other duties of a medical assistant) to create and maintain a welcoming environment and to ensure that patients have a good experience from the moment they enter the office.

A career as a medical administrative assistant can be very fulfilling! If this sounds like what you are looking for, you are headed in the right direction!