Diploma
The growing need for quality health care has created a large demand for trained and knowledgeable medical office specialists to help run an efficient, profitable office. In fact, the U.S. Department of Labor predicts more new jobs will be in health care than in any other industry through 2018.*
Become an integral part of the medical team. As a medical office specialist, you will play a key role in running an efficient, profitable office and performing tasks such as bookkeeping and preparing medical charts. If you are looking for a career in health care, becoming a medical office specialist can offer the potential for a bright future. Kaplan College can provide the education and training you need to enter this field.
Medical Office Skills Training
As a student of our Medical Office Specialist Diploma program, you will learn the skills specific to the needs of local health care practitioners. Through a unique blend of classroom instruction and hands-on lab training, you can receive an in-depth education in medical office administration including written and spoken communication, office administration, medical transcription, and medical office operations. Specific classes provide training in:
- Computer data entry of patient information, patient files, filing systems and records, and admission and discharge forms
- Filing insurance claims for both group and private practice insurance
- Medical coding using Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9) and Diagnosis Related Group (DRG)
- Transcribing physicians' instructions
In addition to courses in management, communications, and computer applications, you could receive training in health care administration; insurance theory and claims management; legal aspects of health care, including HIPAA, OSHA, and cultural diversity; and medical emergencies, including preparation for CPR/first aid exams.†
Duties of a Medical Office Specialist
Whether you seek employment in a doctor's office or a hospital, you could be an integral part of the medical team. The duties of a medical office specialist focus on keeping the medical office running smoothly. Graduates of this program may perform administrative duties in various medical settings including:
- Filing insurance claims for both group and private practice insurance
- Diagnostic and procedural coding
- DRGs
- Accounts payable and receivable
- Billing and scheduling patients
- Preparing medical charts, reports, and correspondence
- Processing medical records
Career Opportunities
By earning a diploma from our medical office specialist program, you can seek various entry-level positions in a health care setting including:
- Hospital or physician’s office receptionist
- Medical transcriptionist
- Insurance specialist Billing/collection specialist
- Front office assistant manager
- Insurance benefits assistant
- Medical office bookkeeper
- Medical records clerk
Real-World Externship Experience/Certificates
Prior to receiving your diploma from Kaplan College, you will be required to complete an externship at an approved facility in your local community. The externship program allows you to interact with medical professionals and gain experience to help prepare you for entry-level employment after you graduate.