Depending on the size of the medical office and the amount of training the individual in the job has had, a front office medical assistant can refer to a variety of job duties and tasks. A front office medical assistant is typically the receptionist at a medical office’s front desk, greeting patients, scheduling appointments, and dealing with insurance information. He or she may also be in charge of medical billing and coding. In some offices, however, a medical assistant will also have clinical responsibilities, assisting doctors and nurses with patient care, office maintenance, and lab test scheduling.
There are some certification and training programs available for people interested in working as a front office medical assistant, many of which can be completed online in a matter of months. Some people will specialize in certain fields to increase their chances of being hired; common specialties include radiology, medical coding, and billing, to name a few. Although a college diploma is advantageous, it is not required for this position; many front office medical assistants have only a high school diploma.
A front office assistant’s main responsibilities include assisting patients and performing administrative office tasks. When patients arrive, the front office medical assistant will greet them, take their insurance and address information, and make appointments or answer questions on the phone. He or she will frequently communicate with insurance companies on behalf of the patient and complete billing information. In addition to working with patients, the assistant will typically be responsible for filing and maintaining records in the office, as well as performing other clerical tasks such as answering the phone and ordering supplies.
Other types of front office medical assistants, also known as clinical assistants, work directly with doctors and nurses on patients. These individuals may conduct initial patient intake interviews and perform tasks such as taking vital signs. Most medical assistants will not work in both the front office and the clinic, but will instead receive training in one of these areas. Clinical office work is typically left to professionals such as nurses or physician assistants, so front office work is more common. Medical offices, on the other hand, offer a wide range of career options for those willing to put in the effort.