A medical office administrator, also sometimes referred to as a medical secretary or medical office assistant, has many tasks in a medical office. The amount and type of tasks you perform depends on the size of the office; in a small medical office, this person may be the only employee in the office, but in a larger practice, the role might oversee the administration department or other employees. The job typically includes filing, bookkeeping, processing paperwork, and assisting patients. Becoming a medical office administrator is a rewarding career with many job possibilities.

For those who want to work in the health care field, but are not interested in direct patient care, a medical office administrator is the ideal job. There are many various tasks that a medical secretary might perform in a given day. This includes answering phones, making appointments, billing patients, checking patients in when they arrive at the medical office, answering basic questions, sending lab work to the appropriate destination, transcribing doctor's notes, and managing the office. In a larger office, a medical office administrator might work with the budget, purchasing, and even marketing or public relations for the office.

Some medical office assistants may occasionally work with patients. They might ask the patient questions when he or she arrives at the office about their history and physical health, or take simple measurements such as blood pressure and heart rate. If patients have questions about a diagnosis or treatment, the assistant may be able to explain the procedure or the diagnosis.

It is important to be very polite, friendly, discreet, and respectful when working with patients. Many patients might be upset, feel stressed, or be confused, and it is the administrator's job to help them to the best of his or her ability. A medical office administrator should enjoy working with people, and should also be a responsible person. This type of job requires a very good attention to detail and the ability to handle multiple tasks at once without becoming flustered.

Careers in the medical field continue to grow, and employment prospects are relatively secure. Most medical office administrators do not need to pursue any education beyond an associate degree, though some offices may ask for a bachelor's degree. Hours may vary - if working in a small practice, the hours will generally be daytime, weekday hours, but working in a larger clinic or a hospital might mean the hours will vary greatly, and include nights and weekends. For someone who enjoys working with people and learning new things, a career in the medical field can be a great option.