Medical Administrative Assistant: Diploma Summary

About this article
A medical administrative assistant diploma is the first step on the way towards a career in an administrative support position in a healthcare environment such as a hospital, physician's office, nursing home, or other medical facility. Typical coursework includes anatomy, physiology, medical terminology and medical coding. Read on to learn more.
View available schools

What is a Medical Administrative Assistant Diploma?

A medical administrative assistant diploma instructs the student in the skills and tasks specific to administrative support positions in a healthcare facility. Medical administrative assistants need to be versed in medical terminology and coding as well as being able to process medical documents and insurance forms and accurately administer medication to patients. A basic understanding of medical practice, pharmacology, human anatomy and physiology is also part of a medical administrative assistant diploma. Typical coursework for a medical administrative assistant diploma includes:

  • Basic Anatomy and Physiology
  • Medical Terminology
  • Medical Coding
  • Medical Office Management
  • Healthcare Law and Ethics
  • Pharmacology
  • Interpersonal Communication

Why Get a Medical Administrative Assistant Degree?

A medical administrative assistant degree prepares the graduate for an entry-level position as administrative support staff in a healthcare facility. Duties for this occupation include interacting with patients on the phone and in person, processing forms and bills, clerical office work and other administrative support duties.

Job Outlook for Medical Administrative Assistants

The accelerating growth of the healthcare industry in the coming years will necessitate the need for administrative support staff. Such positions are the number one fastest-growing career in the nation in terms of demand for employment. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) (www.bls.gov), predicts that demand for medical administrative assistants will grow much faster than the national average until at least the year 2014.

Salary and Compensation for Medical Administrative Assistants

According to the BLS, the median income for medical administrative assistants in 2004 was around $25,000.

Popular Schools

  • Online Programs Available
    1. Bryant & Stratton College

    Program Options

    Bachelor's
      • BBA Medical Services Management
      • Health Services Administration - BS
    Associate's
      • AS - Medical Administrative Assistant
      • Medical Administrative Assistant - AAS
      • Medical Reimbursement & Coding, AAS
      • AS - Medical Reimbursement and Coding
      • Health Services Administration - AAS
    Certificate
      • Medical Office Assisting Diploma
      • Health Services Admin Diploma
      • Medical Billing and Coding Diploma
      • Health Services Assistant - Diploma
  • Online Programs Available
    2. Grand Canyon University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • Doctor of Health Administration: Operational Leadership (Qualitative Research)
      • Doctor of Health Administration: Operational Leadership (Quantitative Leadership)
    Master's
      • MBA: Health Systems Management
      • Master of Science in Health Administration
      • Master of Science in Health Administration with an Emphasis in Health Care Quality and Patient Safety
      • M.S. in Health Informatics
    Bachelor's
      • BS in Health Care Administration
  • Online Programs Available
    3. Penn Foster

    Program Options

    Certificate
      • Career Diploma - Administrative Assistant
      • Career Diploma - Medical Transcriptionist
      • Career Diploma - Medical Billing and Coding
  • Online Programs Available
    4. Saint Leo University

    Program Options

    Bachelor's
      • BS: Health Care Administration
  • Online Programs Available
    5. Penn Foster High School

    Program Options

    High School Diploma
      • HS Diploma
  • Online Programs Available
    6. Liberty University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences: General
      • Doctor of Health Sciences: General
  • Western Governors University

  • Florence, KY

    Southwestern College

  • Poplarville, MS

    Pearl River Community College

Featured Schools

Bryant & Stratton College

  • BBA Medical Services Management
  • AS - Medical Administrative Assistant
  • Medical Office Assisting Diploma

What is your high school graduation status?

Grand Canyon University

  • Doctor of Health Administration: Operational Leadership (Qualitative Research)
  • MBA: Health Systems Management
  • BS in Health Care Administration

What is your highest level of education?

Penn Foster

  • Career Diploma - Administrative Assistant
  • Career Diploma - Medical Transcriptionist
  • Career Diploma - Medical Billing and Coding

What is your highest level of education?

Saint Leo University

  • BS: Health Care Administration

What is your highest level of education completed?

Penn Foster High School

  • HS Diploma

What is your highest level of education?

Liberty University

  • Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences: General
  • Doctor of Health Sciences: General

What is your highest level of education?

Southwestern College