Medical Office Specialist

The work of a Medical Office Specialist supports the efficient functioning of any medical-related office position. The medical office professional applies the knowledge of customer-service techniques, medical terminology, health insurance rules, and medical billing procedures to perform a wide variety of functions.

Job responsibilities may include greeting patients and screening calls, scheduling patient appointments and arranging referrals, billing patients and third-party payers, processing insurance forms, controlling accounts receivables, transcribing dictation, preparing medical reports, patient histories, operative notes, manuscripts, and correspondence, maintaining office files and patient records, making calls for physicians and other health care personnel, arranging hospital admissions, scheduling surgeries, and arranging  physicians’ meetings and conferences.

Potential locations for employment include medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, insurance companies, private physician practices, public health clinics, rehab centers, medical laboratories, medical supplies and equipment businesses, and pharmaceutical companies.

Wage information is available from the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. 

1. Exhibits effective interpersonal skills and professional attitudes by demonstrating the ability to communicate with authority figures and peers; follow work rules and expectations appropriately; maintain confidentiality; and recognize an appropriate business appearance.
2. Demonstrate the ability to express thoughts clearly, concisely, and appropriately in verbal and written format by consistently using correct mechanics, grammar, format, and message approach (direct, indirect).
3. Demonstrate the use of critical thinking skills to analyze and solve business problems by demonstrating the ability to define problems, find relevant information, synthesize and evaluate information, and implement decisions.
4. Demonstrate proficiency in keyboarding speed and accuracy and knowledge of correct document formatting.
5. Demonstrate technical competency by utilizing a wide range of software applications necessary for business office operations; demonstrates initiative in learning to use new technology, and applies new technology accurately in office settings.
6. Demonstrate knowledge of roles and functions of various professionals; collaborate and problem-solve as part of the office team.
7. Demonstrate ability to set priorities, organize work, and sequence tasks appropriately, and consistently complete projects on a schedule.
8. Demonstrate the ability to perform mathematical calculations necessary in business applications including accounting, by working with percentages; decimals and fractions; understanding accounting principles as they are applied to business office bookkeeping; and using formulas for creating spreadsheets and databases.
9. Develop and evaluate customer service skills by ascertaining the characteristics of a customer service organization and using customer service skills in servicing customers professionally.
10. The Medical Office Specialist AAS degree includes all technical courses along with 15 Minnesota Transfer Curriculum general education credits to help provide a well-rounded education. The completion of a degree shows commitment and dedication and can be advantageous for students seeking jobs beyond entry level or with employers who require a degree.

MnTC General Education Requirements

 This program requires completion of the following fifteen credits of general education from at least three goal areas of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC). Refer to the MnTC course list for elective courses:

Program Sequence

Students can choose to complete the Office Specialist programs part-time. Part-time students will take longer to complete their program than students who follow the full-time sequence. Because every course may not be offered each semester, it is important for part-time students to reach out to their faculty advisor for help in planning their long-term, part-time course sequence.

Below, new students can find the first semester part-time course options. After the first semester, work with your faculty advisor to plan future semesters. 

First Semester Course Options

ADSC 1003, COMP 1002, INTS 1000

View Course Schedule

Options differ depending on whether you plan to start in the fall or spring semester.

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