Medical Office Management is a growing career. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of jobs is expected to increase by 16% in the next ten years. The median wage for this career choice was $80,240 in 2008. The mid-range earned between $62,170 and $104,120 with the lowest 10 percent earning less than $48,300. The job outlook is good, especially for those with strong business management skills and knowledge of healthcare management.

Job Responsibilities

The position is responsible for the overall operations of a practice or facility. The manager’s backgrounds range from nursing, billing, or business management. They must be familiar with the operations of a physician's practice or healthcare facility, including:

-financial management, manage cash flow and revenue cycles

-physician or healthcare facility practice operations and process improvement

-billing and coding

-insurance company regulations and requirements

-record keeping

-customer and patient satisfaction

A medical office manager needs to be well organized, detail oriented, able to handle multiple tasks, and skilled in negotiation. The manager is responsible for everything from ensuring adequate supplies are always available, to hiring, managing, and maintaining staff. Generally, the medical office manager will report to the owners of a physician practice, and be responsible for management of the overall budget; therefore sound fiscal responsibility is required.

Educational Requirements

Most medical office managers have at least a Bachelor of Arts degree. Many large physician practices or healthcare facilities will require a Masters of Business Administration or Masters in Healthcare Administration. Medical office management professionals can obtain the Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM) designation, but for many jobs it is not required.

It is possible for an individual who has worked in a physician practice or healthcare facility for many years to have the medical office manager position, and perform it very well. In this instance, the CMOM certification would be a big plus.

Getting Hired

There are some owners of large practices who prefer hiring a medical office manager with years of experience over a degreed individual. Being able to communicate well, manage business correspondence, reassure patients and instill trust in them, and delegate responsibilities to staff are basic requirements. An individual who is courteous, understands the healthcare provider’s needs, and anticipates growth opportunities will be a strong candidate. Knowing how to do payroll is a big plus!

During the interview, ask questions about specific requirements and responsibilities of the job. The ability to work with the doctors in the practice is crucial.