Healthcare facilities rely on more than just doctors and nurses — administrative professionals work hard behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly. Healthcare administrative assistants handle the clerical and office tasks that support patient care. Opportunities for healthcare admin assistants across Connecticut are growing, from clinics and hospitals to private practices like the Physicians Alliance of Connecticut.
What Does a Healthcare Administrative Assistant Do?
Healthcare administrative assistants manage crucial administrative tasks in medical offices. Their role improves the patient experience and helps doctors, nurses, and other providers work more efficiently.
As a healthcare administrative assistant, your day-to-day tasks may vary depending on the needs of the medical office. Typical responsibilities include:
- Managing front desk operations, including greeting patients and answering phones.
- Scheduling patient appointments and ensuring providers’ schedules are well-organized.
- Communicating with patients, healthcare providers, and insurance companies to coordinate care.
- Managing accurate, up-to-date electronic health records while protecting patient confidentiality.
- Helping with billing, including preparing bills and processing insurance claims.
Must-Have Skills for Success
You’ll need soft and hard skills to excel as a healthcare administrative assistant. Soft skills are personal traits you bring to your role, while hard skills are job-specific abilities you learn through education or training. Must-have skills include:
- Organizational and time management: In this career, you’ll need to juggle various time-sensitive tasks throughout the day.
- Communication and customer service: Healthcare admin assistants are the patients’ first contact point. Effective communication improves the patient experience.
- Basic office skills: Knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet software is an asset, as is an understanding of how to use fax machines, scanners, and multi-line phones.
- Tech-savviness with EHR systems: Admin assistants should be proficient in electronic health record software, the digital version of a patient chart.
- Problem-solving and adaptability: Admin assistants need to be able to handle challenges or unexpected scenarios that arise throughout the day.
- Knowledge of medical terminology: Understanding the medical words you come across helps you communicate with patients and providers.
Training and Certification Options in Connecticut
In Connecticut, healthcare administrative assistants typically require a high school diploma (or GED) and a relevant certificate or diploma program completion. Many community colleges in Connecticut offer in-person or online programs that provide training in healthcare administration. These programs teach you the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed as a healthcare administrative assistant.
When you’re hoping to enter a new career, the right certifications can help you prove your skills to employers and stand out in a competitive job market. To enhance your resume, consider pursuing one or more of these employer-recognized certifications:
- Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA): The CMAA certification from the National Healthcareer Association shows employers that you understand medical terminology, scheduling practices, billing processes, and other key job requirements.
- Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS): The CEHRS certification from the National Healthcareer Association demonstrates your expertise in handling digital patient information, from documentation best practices to HIPAA compliance.
- Certified Professional Biller (CPB): Offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders, this certification proves you know how to handle the billing-related aspects of a healthcare admin job, including submitting claims, posting payments, and managing collections.
Career Outlook for Healthcare Admin Assistants
America’s population is aging; in Connecticut, nearly one-quarter of residents are 60 or older. Our aging population is driving demand for healthcare services. More healthcare admin assistants will be needed to handle the office tasks related to getting Connecticut residents the care they need.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment for medical secretaries and administrative assistants will grow by 5% between 2023 and 2033. That’s a significantly stronger outlook than admin assistants in non-healthcare fields.
The ongoing demand for healthcare admin assistants makes this a stable career choice. Experienced administrative professionals are highly valued, so you’ll also have the flexibility to transition to related roles, such as an office manager, medical biller, or health services coordinator.
Why Work as a Healthcare Administrative Assistant at PACT?
At PACT, we know that administrative professionals are key healthcare team members. We rely on our exceptional admin teams to ensure a seamless patient experience and excellent care.
Working for PACT opens the door to a long-term career in a respected healthcare organization, where hard work is rewarded and there are opportunities to learn new skills and move into more specialized roles.
Is This the Right Career for You?
Healthcare administrative assistants, from private practices to hospitals, are vital in medical facilities. This in-demand role is ideal for people who want a fulfilling healthcare career, but don’t want to work in a medical capacity. Consider pursuing this career option if you have good organizational and communication skills.
Ready to start your journey? Check out career opportunities with PACT in Connecticut today.
