Top 10 Medical Office Jobs

Today, the health care and social assistance industry employs more than 20 million people across the nation. Are you interested in becoming one of them?

If so, you aren't alone. Health care is one of the most coveted job fields for entry-level and seasoned workers alike.

Yet, health care jobs often have hefty education and skills requirements that can make a career in medicine seem impossible.

That's where medical office jobs come in.

Medical office jobs allow you to be in the action at a practice or hospital, without needing the extensive training to work hands-on with patients. 

Sound good to you? Then you've got to check out this guide to the top 10 medical office jobs of 2020. Keep reading and let us help you discover the health care career that's perfect for you!

Why Choose a Career in Health Care?

With an aging population and more complex medical needs than ever before, the world always needs more doctors and nurses. Yet, the role of other health care professionals is just as vital. 

If you're thinking about a career as a medical office worker, you may wonder: what's so great about a career in health? Are medical office jobs a stable and sustainable choice as a career?

Let's explore the answers to these questions and more with a look into why people choose a career in medicine.

Job Security

As of December 2019, the national unemployment rate for health care fields was 2.1%. Compare that to the national average 3.6% unemployment rate and you'll see why we think this is one of the most secure jobs you'll find in today's economy.

What's more, health care generated over 1 million new jobs in 2019 alone. Other industries see declining employment rates while health care employment needs continue to climb. 

Aside from that, medical jobs are more widespread. You can work anywhere you want in the country and find a great job. 

When it comes time to choose an employer, you also have options. You can choose to work in:

1. Private practice
2. Local government-owned entities
3. State-owned or federally-owned organizations

This scope of choice can provide you with a lot of varied opportunities and environments. 

A Good Salary

Average earnings are around $28 per hour. This drops slightly as you get to non-manager roles to around $25 per hour or approximately $48,000 per year (not considering taxes) for a full-time employee.

An entry-level worker can expect to make anywhere from $15 to $50 per hour, depending on the position. 

Plus, there's room for growth. Most health care careers offer on-the-job training or educational courses to help you advance your career. 

You Can Make a Difference

For many people, the main attractor to a career in health is the chance to make a difference in people's lives.

Whether you work directly with patients or behind the scenes to keep their health information safe, you'll be there when people need you most. 

Health care workers find extreme fulfillment from their job, which is something many people in other industries can't say.

In fact, health care employees rate their job satisfaction a 7.49 out of 10. That's compared to the 7.37 score workers in other industries rate their satisfaction. 

10 Medical Office Jobs to Start Your Medical Career

Now that you know the reasons you should be interested in a medical career, it's time to get specific. Let's dive into what you've all been waiting for: our top 10 medical office jobs of 2020.

1.  Medical Billers

Medical billers are the intermediary between health care establishments and insurance companies. As a medical biller, you would be responsible for submitting all medical claims for the patients seen at your place of work. 

Billing is absolutely vital to the health of a medical practice or hospital relying on patient-pay alone. Considering that more people are uninsured today than ever before and deductibles are through the roof, medical billing experts are in high demand.

The great thing about a career in medical billing is that you don't need more than a technical or associate degree. Learning the technical terminology you need to know only takes a few months. Once your formal education is complete, most employers require certification (i.e., Certified Professional Coder credentials). 

In addition to the knowledge you gain through education, you'll need to possess the following skillsets:

• Organization
• Computer proficiency
• Knowledge of Accounts Receivables processes

Entry-level medical billers make around $25,000 per year. With additional education or extensive on-the-job experience, you can advance to a manager or supervisor position. There, you make up to $60,000 annually. 

2.  Medical Coders

Much like medical billers, medical coding experts deal with the money side of health care. Coders use their knowledge of industry-related terms to transcript diagnoses into codes. Coding is standardized across the industry, allowing insurers to read the codes and determine reimbursement. 

Considering that medical coding and billing are projected to see a 13% increase in the number of available positions between 2016 and 2026, you won't have trouble finding a job. That's especially true in states like California, Texas, Florida, and New York.

To become a medical coder, your educational path would look a lot like that of a medical biller. In fact, many programs offer joint medical coding and billing education.

Keep in mind that the majority of employers prefer applicants with one or more certificate and having three or more certificates can mean a serious salary boost. 

In order to become a medical coder, you also need to possess:

• Attention to detail
• Good interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of medical terms plus their corresponding codes

Medical coders can make $25,000 on the low end while those with more expertise can demand up to $60,000 per year. The average medical coder makes an annual salary of around $34,000. 

3.  Medical Transcriber

A medical transcriber or medical transcriptionist helps nurses and physicians create medical documents and compile reports. The best part about this career is that you have the opportunity to work from home. 

However, the medical transcribing industry is declining at a rate of 3%. This is due in part to the rise of automated transcribing and other transcription technologies. Still, you can find a transcription job as long as you have the right educational training.

This means getting a medical transcriptionist certificate, which typically takes about a year. When choosing a program, focus on those that offer training in quality assurance and electronic health records. 

Otherwise, you'll need the following skills to succeed as a medical transcriber:

• Time management
• Computer-savvy
• Strong written communication

Most medical transcribers make around $17 per hour or a yearly salary of over $35,000. 

4.  Medical Records and Health Information Technicians

Medical transcribers are responsible for maintaining documents and reports. Meanwhile, medical records and health information technicians organize, audit, and update this information. 

Unlike transcriptionists, the need for records and health information techs will increase by 13% between now and 2026. Electronic health records and other healthcare technology is becoming more popular which is driving this job field's growth.

To become a medical record and health information technician, you need an associate degree. Before an employer will hire you, you'll need to get certified, too. Here are some other qualities that would make you a good fit for this job: 

• Analytical skills
• Personal integrity 
• Gret attention to detail

You can make an average of $19 per hour in this position for an annual salary of almost $40,000. Plus, this field prepares you for a career as a director of medical records, a title that comes with a pretty impressive raise. 

5.  Medical Secretary

Want to work with patients but don't want to get your hands dirty? A career as a medical secretary may be for you. That's because medical secretaries help file records and take insurance details when the patient first enters the hospital, clinic, or other medical establishments.

As the health care sector grows in general, the demand for medical secretaries goes up, too. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that there will be a 22% increase in the need for medical secretaries between now and 2026.

Medical secretaries can receive education either online or in-person (community colleges, vocational schools, training schools). These programs teach you the medical terminology and technical skills needed for this role.

Additionally, you'll need to possess:

• Organizational skills
• Good communication (both verbal and written)
• Personal integrity

On average, medical secretaries make $34,600 per year. You can advance to a higher pay grade if you become an executive secretary. That means you'd work directly for an executive at your place of work. 

6.  Medical and Health Services Manager

If you're looking for a leadership role in health care, you may want to consider a career in medical and health services management. These professionals are capable of managing entire medical departments or even the whole facility. 

Especially popular among group medical practices, this field is growing at a rate of 20%. 

Unlike most jobs on our list, this one does require a Bachelor's degree. Some employers even require a Master's degree considering the high amount of responsibility this job entails. However, the latter requirement could be waived if you have enough on-the-job experience. 

To be successful as a medical and health services manager, you need:

• Excellent analytical skills
• Superior communication skills
• Leadership ability
• Technical knowledge, including knowledge of medical technologies and advancements

Here's the kicker, though: you can make almost $100k a year as a medical and health services manager. $48 per hour is the median pay rate for this position, meaning half the people in this field make more than that and half make less. 

7.  Medical Office Manager

Medical office managers are similar to medical and health services managers. The difference is that medical office managers only stick to a single physician's office instead of an entire facility or department.

Office managers have a wide-ranging role, helping physicians with everything from answering phones to assisting with minor procedures. 

Depending on the amount of responsibility needed, an employer might require a Bachelor's degree for this job. More assistive roles with less responsibility may only require an associate degree or another certification program. 

Entry-level office managers make between $26,000 and $32,000 per year. Meanwhile, more skilled or experienced office managers can make from $45,000 to $150,000 annually. 

8.  Medical Assistant

As we wrap up this list, we'll be talking about three positions that combine office work with hands-on patient care. First, the medical assistant. Medical assistants combine the secretarial duties of a medical secretary with the assistive duties of an entry-level nurse. 

The best part about this career is that it's in the midst of a major boom in growth. Job growth estimates are as high as 29% for medical assistants. 

Due to their clinical role, medical assistants do formal education and training. Usually, this comes in the form of a one- to two-year program and vocational school or community college.

Further skills needed include:

• Technical ability with medical instruments
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Fantastic attention to detail

As a medical assistant, you can make $15 per hour or over $31,000 per year. 

9.  Dental Hygienist

A career in dental hygiene may be an unconventional choice in a medical career, but it's a good one. Dental hygienists examine dental patients and recommend plans to prevent or care for oral diseases like gingivitis. 

Between 2018 and 2028, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates this job sector will grow by 11%. This growth rate will continue to increase as the aging population does. 

To become a dental hygienist, you need an associate degree in dental hygiene. These programs are longer, taking up to 3 years to finish. After completing your education, you'll also need to be licensed in the state where you plan to work.

If you have these skills, a career in dental hygiene is for you:

• Technical skill with dental technology
• Attention to detail
• Strong communication and teaching skills

As a dental hygienist, you can make up to $75,000 annually. 

10.  Dental Assistant

Dental assistants are another medical office job that allows the opportunity for more hands-on patient work. As a dental assistant, you would help the dentist run things smoothly. That might mean working with patients one day and scheduling appointments the next.

The demand for dental assistants is ever-increasing, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimating a 19% increase in jobs by 2026. This is especially true now that researchers are uncovering the vital link between oral and overall health. 

The state determines the specific educational requirements for dental assistants. For some states, that means an associate degree. More commonly, though, you need training from a vocational school, which typically takes one to two years. 

Here are some of the skills you'd need to hone as a dental assistant:

• Listening 
• Flexibility
• Organization

On average, dental assistants make over $18 per hour or a little under $40,000 per year. 

Find the Medical Office Job of Your Dreams!

Looking for medical office jobs to get 2020 off to a great start? Search Hospital Careers health care office jobs now to find the position of your dreams!