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Working in healthcare offers the opportunity to start a career in a variety of settings, from hospitals and clinics to private physicians’ offices. If you prefer working with a smaller team and seeing the same patients regularly, finding a job in a doctor’s office could be the perfect fit for you. In this article, we outline five healthcare jobs you can get in a doctor’s office, as well as speak to Penn Foster Group’s Allied Health Academic Lead Theresa Sinkevich for some tips on getting your foot in the door.
Getting a job in a doctor’s office can require several steps depending on the kind of role you want. There are several jobs you can do in a doctor’s office with varying requirements to qualify for employment but, in general, you should:
Some jobs in a doctor’s office may require you to have further education in order to perform your daily tasks. Even for those that don’t require education beyond high school, having a certificate or diploma on your resume can help you stand out from other job applicants! If you’re not sure whether you should earn a diploma or certificate, there are some key differences to consider. The biggest difference between a certificate and a diploma is often the length of time it takes to complete. Most certificates can be completed in a matter of months, while diplomas, which cover more in-depth training, can take up to a year or more.
Having on- the- job experience can make a big difference when applying for very competitive roles in healthcare. But how do you get experience in a role you need experience to get? Most often, starting in a different, more entry-level job in the industry can give you some of the experience necessary to move into the role you really want. For example, if you want to start a career as a medical office assistant but have never worked in healthcare, you can gain experience through other jobs like medical transcription. Once you know more about the field as a whole, you can then apply to office assistant jobs with more confidence! Other roles, like medical assistant, may help you gain experience while you’re in school through externships and clinical hours.
Read more: The Easiest Degrees to Get Online (Your Guide)
A doctor’s office requires several different types of jobs to function successfully and meet the needs of patients, meaning there are several options for those looking to start a career in healthcare! Some in-demand jobs in a doctor’s office include the following.
Medical office assistants play an important role in a well-run doctor’s office. They’re often the first face you see when you arrive at the office and they complete vital daily administrative tasks such as setting up patient appointments, checking patients in, and completing paperwork and filing.
The median salary for medical office assistants: $40,640.
Theresa’s tips to help get the job:
Read more: How to Become a Medical Administrative Assistant (Also Known as Medical Office Assistant)
To become a medical assistant, you’ll need a high school diploma or GED, relevant education like a medical assistant diploma or a medical assistant certificate, and, in some states, you may need to be certified to work in the field.
Medical assistants are more involved in the clinical aspects of patient care than medical office assistants, so this career is a great fit for someone who wants to work directly with patients and assist the doctor with
The average medical assistant salary: $42,000.
Theresa’s tips to help get the job:
Read more: Medical Assistant vs. Medical Coder: Which Career Is Right for You?
Medical billing and coding professionals are essential to the healthcare industry. They code different diagnoses, treatments, procedures, and prescriptions so that a doctor’s office can accurately bill health insurance companies and patients. They also manage insurance claims, create and process invoices, and track payments.
While certification may not necessarily be a requirement to find an entry-level medical billing and coding job, it can help your resume stand out and may even help you earn more. On average, medical coders without certification can earn around $46,321 per year while certified medical billing and coding specialists can earn $56,290!
Theresa’s tips to help get the job:
Read more: How to Become a Medical Coder with No Experience: Your Step-by-Step Guide
Most doctor’s and physician’s assistants will take patient notes through voice recording, saving them time between patients. However, someone needs to transcribe those notes to a patient’s medical records to accurately record their visit and any outcomes. That’s where medical transcriptionists come in!
Medical transcriptionists can work in doctor’s offices, but they also may have opportunities to work from home since most of their work is done digitally. Daily, transcriptionists will take voice recordings or shorthand notes and translate them onto the page. While this entry-level job in a doctor’s office doesn’t necessarily require education past a high school diploma, having knowledge of commonly used medical terminology and office procedures can help you be successful on the job. You can learn medical transcription on your terms with Ashworth’s online training program.
Average salary for a medical transcriptionist :$35,385.
Theresa’s tips to help get the job:
Electronic health records (EHR) specialists are responsible for maintaining up-to-date and accurate medical records for patients, working with doctors, insurance professionals, and other healthcare staff to ensure high quality care. To prepare for an EHR job, you’ll want to learn fundamental skills like medical terminology, record keeping, and an understanding of privacy and HIPAA laws.
Certified EHR specialists can earn :$56,000.
Theresa’s tips to help get the job:
If your end goal is to start a rewarding career in a doctor’s office, you can prepare for the work you’ll do through flexible online healthcare career training programs. Learn more about getting started, certification exams, and more by speaking to one of our expert Admissions Specialists today at 1-800-957-5412!
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