A medical administrative specialist serves a key role in medical office, clinic and hospital settings. Learn more about the profession, how to certify, and job outlook.
A medical administrative specialist (CMAS) should want to help people and be excited to learn about patient care. They must be outgoing, patient, and have an attention to detail. This individual must be willing to learn new procedures, laws, and insurance filing forms. They should also have time management skills.
Read on to learn how to become a medical administrative specialist and the outlook for this career.
What Does a Medical Administrative Specialist Do?
A medical administrative specialist (CMAS) understands clinical and technical details needed to manage office tasks in healthcare. This can include understanding medical terminology to be more efficient in their work environment.
They may work in the front office or be part of the human resources department. They can also serve as an office administrator as the job descriptions are similar.
Medical administrative specialist perform specific duties that include:
- Administrator duties such as answering telephones and taking messages
- Administrative office functions
- Office management tasks
- Schedule meetings and update event calendars
- Data entry
- Arrange staff meetings
- Handle incoming and outgoing mail and faxes
- Prepare memos, invoices or other reports
- Edit documents
- Maintain databases and office software
- Perform basic bookkeeping
Where Do Medical Administrative Assistants Work?
Medical administrative specialists typically work in various healthcare settings, including:
- Hospitals: Managing records and coordinating administrative tasks.
- Clinics: Assisting with patient scheduling and insurance processing.
- Physician's Offices: Handling billing, coding, and office management.
- Dental Offices: Managing patient records and appointments.
- Insurance Companies: Processing claims and managing patient information.
- Long-term Care Facilities: Coordinating administrative tasks and patient documentation.
- Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs): Assisting with administrative support and patient services.
The Path to Becoming a Medical Administrative Specialist
Medical administrative assistants must meet certain education, training and, in some cases, certification requirements.
Medical Administrative Specialist Education
A medical administrative specialist must have a high school diploma or GED. Many colleges, career schools and technical schools offer medical administrative assistant, medical office assistant or medical secretary training programs. Graduates from these programs will receive either a certificate or diploma depending on the program. Graduating from an accredited school makes it easier to apply for certification.
Getting Certified
Each individual state decides the scope of practice for medical administrative specialists.
Certification programs from a recognized organization helps medical administrators earn promotions faster and increase their pay. Employers prefer to hire experienced workers with certifications.
Certification means that they have passed a national exam from a recognized organization, like the American Medical Technologists (AMT). This shows that the medical administrative specialist has the skills needed for the job.
Choosing a certifying body is just as important as choosing a school or program. Choosing a tough and practical certification shows employers that they can trust your skills and knowledge. To certify through AMT, you must meet certain criteria and pass an exam. Those who meet the requirements have an excellent chance of passing the certification exam.
The exams test the knowledge needed to perform basic tasks required for healthcare workers.
AMT’s CMAS certification is for active students as well as those who work in the field. We focus on entry-level workers and use our criteria to find those who qualify for AMT certification. If you are interested in getting certified, check out our Medical Administrative Specialist page to see if you qualify.
Need help choosing the application route that's right for you?
Medical Administrative Specialist Job Outlook
According to the Department of Labor, medical administrative specialists held about 696,600 jobs in 2022. Experts expect employment to grow 5 to 8 percent from 2022 to 2032. Faster than the average for all occupations.
The aging population will have increased demand for medical services. Medical secretaries will need to handle administrative tasks related to billing and insurance processing.
Medical Administrative Assistant Salary
The earnings vary depending on experience, education and skill level. Median annual wages for medical administrative specialists in 2023 was $40,640 ($19.54/hr).
Want To Learn More?
Check out our blog post on an insider’s view of AMT exams.