Considering a career in healthcare but prefer a more intimate setting than a bustling hospital? Doctors’ offices offer a diverse range of fulfilling roles where you can make a real difference in patient lives within a close-knit team. This article explores five distinct Doctors Office Jobs that can be your stepping stone into the healthcare industry, featuring insights from Theresa Sinkevich, Allied Health Academic Lead at Penn Foster Group, to guide you on your path to employment.
Essential Steps to Land Doctors Office Jobs
Securing a position in a doctor’s office often involves a strategic approach, tailored to the specific role you’re targeting. While the qualifications vary across different jobs, certain foundational steps can significantly enhance your candidacy:
Invest in Education: Certificates and Diplomas
For many doctors office jobs, specialized education beyond high school is highly advantageous, and sometimes mandatory. Even when not strictly required, possessing a certificate or diploma can set you apart in a competitive applicant pool. When deciding between a certificate and a diploma, consider the time commitment and depth of training. Certificates typically offer focused skills training achievable in a few months, while diplomas provide more comprehensive education, often requiring a year or more of study.
Build Practical Experience
Hands-on experience is invaluable, especially for sought-after positions in healthcare. However, gaining experience when you’re just starting out can seem like a Catch-22. A common strategy is to begin with an entry-level role within the healthcare sector to acquire foundational knowledge and skills. For example, aspiring medical office assistants might initially explore roles in medical transcription to familiarize themselves with medical terminology and office procedures. This initial experience builds confidence and a stronger foundation for applying to medical office assistant positions. Certain roles, like medical assistant, may also offer opportunities to gain experience through externships or clinical hours during your training program.
5 In-Demand Doctors Office Jobs
A smoothly functioning doctor’s office relies on a team with diverse skills and expertise. This creates a variety of job opportunities for individuals seeking to enter the healthcare field. Here are five in-demand doctors office jobs to consider:
1. Medical Office Assistant Jobs
Medical office assistants are the organizational backbone of a doctor’s office, often serving as the first point of contact for patients. Their administrative duties are crucial for daily operations, including managing appointments, greeting and checking in patients, handling paperwork, and maintaining patient records.
Median Salary: $40,640 per year (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Theresa’s Tips for Landing the Job:
- Customize Your Resume: Highlight any experience in office administration or the medical field, along with relevant certifications or diplomas.
- Consider CMAA Certification: While not always mandatory, obtaining the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) certification through the NHA demonstrates your competency and can enhance your resume.
- Showcase Soft Skills: Emphasize your interpersonal, organizational, and empathetic skills, as these are vital for patient interaction and office efficiency.
- Seek Entry-Level Experience: If you’re new to healthcare, volunteering at a clinic or hospital can provide valuable introductory experience.
Further Reading: How to Become a Medical Administrative Assistant (Also Known as Medical Office Assistant)
2. Medical Assistant Jobs
Medical assistants take on a more clinical role compared to medical office assistants, making this career path ideal for those who desire direct patient interaction and assisting physicians with medical procedures. Becoming a medical assistant typically requires a high school diploma or GED, completion of a medical assistant diploma or certificate program, and potentially certification depending on state regulations.
Their responsibilities often include:
- Recording patient medical histories and updates
- Measuring vital signs like blood pressure and temperature before doctor consultations
- Preparing specimens for laboratory analysis
- Administering injections and vaccinations under physician direction
Average Salary: $42,000 per year (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Theresa’s Tips for Landing the Job:
- Prioritize Externships and Internships: Practical, hands-on experience is crucial in this field. Seek out externship or internship opportunities to develop your skills and strengthen your resume, particularly if you are new to the medical environment.
- Pursue Certification: Although not universally mandated by law, many employers favor certified medical assistants. Certification signifies your knowledge base and dedication to professional standards.
Further Reading: Medical Assistant vs. Medical Coder: Which Career Is Right for You?
3. Medical Billing and Coding Jobs
Medical billing and coding professionals are the financial gatekeepers of healthcare practices. They translate medical diagnoses, treatments, procedures, and prescriptions into standardized codes used for billing insurance companies and patients accurately. Their duties also encompass managing insurance claims, generating and processing invoices, and tracking payments.
While certification may not be a prerequisite for entry-level medical billing and coding jobs, it can significantly improve your job prospects and earning potential. Non-certified medical coders may earn around $46,321 annually, while certified medical billing and coding specialists can earn $56,290 or more.
Theresa’s Tips for Landing the Job: (Tips were not provided in the original article, this section might require expansion with general advice for this role if needed to reach target word count while remaining helpful)
Further Reading: How to Become a Medical Coder with No Experience: Your Step-by-Step Guide
4. Medical Transcription Jobs
Doctors and physician assistants frequently use voice recordings to document patient encounters efficiently. Medical transcriptionists play a vital role in converting these recordings into written medical records, ensuring accurate documentation of patient visits and outcomes.
Medical transcription offers flexibility, with opportunities to work in doctor’s offices or remotely. While a high school diploma may suffice for entry-level positions, a solid understanding of medical terminology and office procedures is essential for success. Medical transcription training programs can provide focused skills development.
Average Salary: $35,385 per year (Source: Payscale)
Theresa’s Tips for Landing the Job:
- Consider Professional Certification: Certifications such as Registered Healthcare Documentation Specialist (RHDS) or Certified Healthcare Documentation Specialist (CHDS) can give you a competitive edge in the job market.
- Sharpen Key Skills: Concentrate on enhancing your typing speed and accuracy, medical terminology knowledge, and grammar and punctuation skills.
5. Electronic Health Records (EHR) Jobs
Electronic Health Records (EHR) specialists are responsible for the integrity and security of digital patient medical records. They collaborate with doctors, insurance providers, and other healthcare staff to maintain accurate, up-to-date records, contributing to high-quality patient care and efficient information management. Preparation for EHR roles typically includes developing skills in medical terminology, record keeping, and understanding HIPAA regulations and patient privacy.
Average Salary for Certified EHR Specialists: $56,000 per year (Source: Payscale)
Theresa’s Tips for Landing the Job: (Tips were not provided in the original article, this section might require expansion with general advice for this role if needed to reach target word count while remaining helpful)
Launch Your Healthcare Career in a Doctor’s Office
If you are drawn to a healthcare career in a more personal and consistent environment, doctors office jobs provide a fantastic starting point. You can gain the necessary skills and knowledge for these rewarding roles through flexible online healthcare career training programs. To explore program options, certification pathways, and more, connect with an expert Admissions Specialist at 1-800-957-5412 today!
