Should you become a Medical Office Administrator or Medical Assistant?

The health care industry is a fast-growing industry in America, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Most of the time, statistics like that are only good for people who are already active in the field or have the skills to be competitive. Health care is different thanks to accelerated hands-on training programs like the ones offered at Concorde.

There are other options that do allow you to get into the health care industry much quicker. In as few as eight months, depending on the program, Concorde students are well on their way to taking advantage of the demand for the next wave of health care professionals.

At Concorde Career College, it's possible to get your diploma in either one of our medical office administrator (MOA) or medical assistant (MA) programs in as few as eight months.

Both medical office administrators and medical assistants are critical to ensuring that patients have a quality experience and receive excellent care. Not sure which one is right for you? Let's take a look at their similarities and differences.

How are a medical office administrator and a medical assistant similar?

There are several common traits one has as a medical office administrator and a medical assistant. Both answer phones, handle clerical tasks and paperwork, maintain paper and electronic filing systems, complete forms and operate office machines such as printers and fax machines.

Depending on what state you live in, not all require a diploma to work as an MOA or MA, but certification from national organizations may increase employment value as it shows proof of experience. Certification also allows for more growth potential down the line, if you desire to grow professionally.

What's different in the Jobs?

In these administrative assistant jobs, it's more common for medical assistants to perform clinical tasks, that medical office admins don't do. What are the typical job duties of a medical assistant? Medical assistants can explain treatments to patients, draw and prepare samples for testing, administer injections, remove sutures, check vital signs, and in some practices, taking X-rays.

Medical assistants can only work under the supervision of doctors and must be able to keep health information confidential. Note that medical assistants are not the same as physicians' assistants, who can examine, diagnose and treat patients under doctor supervision.

MOA and MA Career Outlooks

Medical assistants are projected to see a 29% growth rate from 2016-26, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. The growth will come from the aging baby-boom population that will continue to increase demand for preventive medical services. Those who earn certification and have familiarity with electronic health records (EHRs) may have better job prospects.

The overall employment for medical office administrators is projected to see a 22% growth rate during the same time period. Similarly, to MAs, this growth is dependent on the continued growth of the healthcare industry, and the aging baby boomers, for example, will require more medical services as they become eligible for Social Security and Medicare.

Take the next step

If you are looking to get into a health care career quickly, Concorde can help. Check out with programs may be a fit for you. Contact our admissions office today to get started!