Earning a diploma as a medical office administration specialist is a notable achievement. But becoming certified is another step you can take to enhance your professional development. Several certifications are available from various organizations, but two are more valuable than the others.
What Certifications are Important for Medical Office Administration Specialists?
The certification medical office administration specialists qualify for is based on their training. The two that stand out are the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) and the Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS). Both are offered by the National Healthcareer Association, and each can play a role in cultivating your career.
What is the NHA?
The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) is an organization that offers certification programs for healthcare professionals across various disciplines. Committed to improving the quality of healthcare, the NHA develops standardized exams that validate the skills and knowledge of individuals working in different healthcare roles; criteria are based on best practices and input from educators and medical professionals. The largest organization of its kind, it has awarded more than a million certificates since its founding in 1989.
The NHA’s certification programs cover a wide range of allied healthcare occupations, including:
- Clinical medical assistants
- Pharmacy technicians
- Medical administrative assistants
- Phlebotomists
- EKG technicians
- Medical billing and coding specialists
- Patient care technicians
Accredited by the National Commission for Certification Agencies (NCCA), NHA certificates are recognized by employers and institutions nationwide.
The NHA also offers study materials, practice exams, and other resources to help candidates prepare for their certification exams. Dedicated to learning, they support an extensive online library of continuing education modules that certified medical office administration specialists can access 24/7 to stay informed of developments in the field and maintain their certifications. By supporting the advancement of allied health professions, the NHA plays a significant role in improving the quality of healthcare and enhancing professional development opportunities for medical office administration specialists. They engage with schools, employers, legislative bodies, and regulatory agencies to promote positive change within the industry.
What is the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) Certification?
The CMAA certification was designed for individuals who want to work in medical offices performing a wide range of administrative tasks.
The exam covers topics such as:
- Communication skills
- Telephone etiquette
- Mail handling and correspondence
- Patient education and customer service
- Cultural competency
- Time management and organization
- Medical terminology, acronyms, and abbreviations
- Healthcare regulations
- Legal and ethical considerations in healthcare
- Medical records management
- Electronic and paper health records
- Appointment scheduling
- Health insurance concepts
- Basic accounting principles
- Medical billing and coding
- Financial management and bookkeeping skills
- Payment and collections
- Inventory management
- Workplace safety
- Risk management and quality improvement
- Medical office software use
What is the Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist Certification (CEHRS)?
The Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) certification is specifically designed for medical office administration specialists who handle electronic health records (EHRs) and related technology in medical settings. All do, but for some, it’s the focus of their jobs.
The exam covers a broad range of topics, some of which overlap with those in the CMAA exam. But most are related to health information technology and EHR management, including:
- Health information management
- Medical and insurance terminology
- The role of electronic health records in healthcare
- Medical coding
- Billing and the healthcare revenue cycle
- Error prevention
- Patient privacy regulations
- Data entry, security, and storage
- Billing and consent forms
- Data exchange interoperability
- The Health Information Exchange (HIE) and its role in patient care
- Patient portals
- Ethical considerations for information handling
- Data extraction and reporting
- Trends in healthcare technology
What Are the Benefits of Obtaining a Formal Education and Certification Before Starting a Medical Office Administration Specialist Position?
While it’s still possible to find a job as a medical office administrator without formal education or certification, the advantages of earning a diploma and certificate are too good to ignore. The benefits include:
Comprehensive Knowledge
Some skills are transferable from past jobs to healthcare careers. Working in retail, for example, helps you build customer service expertise. However, the healthcare industry has become so complex in the last decade that even entry-level positions require knowledge beyond what most people learn at their jobs. Vocational school programs cover a wide range of topics you should be exposed to before starting a position as a medical office administration specialist. Formal education and certification programs are based on industry standards and best practices, so you’ll know you’re getting your money’s worth. They also help you qualify and prepare for the CMAA and CEHRS exams. The curriculum covers the material on the test, and many programs offer additional preparation classes.
Confidence
Formal education programs for medical office administration specialists include practical, hands-on training. Mock patient interactions, simulated billing scenarios, and software usage training, prepare students for the workplace. You won’t have to wonder how you’ll react in real-world situations because you will have had the opportunity to practice and ask questions in a non-threatening environment. Mastering these practical skills before you start your first job will help build your confidence in tangible ways.
Professional Freedom
Healthcare facilities are responsible for the conduct and competency of their staff. Medicine is a highly regulated field with mountains of regulations to comply with. Hiring well-qualified staff is one way that employers protect themselves from liability. Having a formal education and certifications means you need less supervision. Employers and colleagues will be more likely to rely on your capabilities and judgment. You’ll be a trusted team member with greater professional autonomy.
Career Advancement
Being educated and certified sets you apart from other job applicants in tight job markets. It demonstrates your commitment to excellence and your readiness to tackle the responsibilities of the role. Providing on-the-job training is costly, so a diploma and certification are something of value you can offer potential employers, particularly if you don’t have experience. They can help you land your first job and position yourself for advancement. When employers are handing out promotions, employees with recognized credentials are among the first in line.
Networking Opportunities
Education programs provide opportunities to connect with professionals in the field. You’ll get to know like-minded individuals in school and through your certification efforts. So, when you’ve outgrown your entry-level job and want a more challenging position, you’ll have contacts with potential job leads.
Adaptability
Healthcare is a dynamic field, with evolving technologies, regulations, and best practices. Unlike some jobs, the role is constantly changing. But it can be difficult to keep pace if you don’t know where to find educational resources or determine which of the many available are the most relevant to your career. Formal education programs set the stage for lifelong learning, equipping you to take charge of your professional development. Organizations like the NHA are there to help with the many resources offered to members.
Career Flexibility
Formal education programs prepare you for possibilities. You can choose from more than one career path by earning the right credentials. Some certifications focus on specialized aspects of medical office administration, such as electronic health records (EHR) management, billing, and coding regulatory compliance, making you an expert in specific, in-demand areas. A CMAA certificate, for example, is ideal for people who want a general administration role. As a generalist, you’ll perform a variety of front-office tasks using the widest possible range of skills. It’s a good choice if you’re not quite sure where your interests and aptitudes lie. CEHRS certification is a better choice for tech-savvy medical office administration specialists who enjoy working with computers. It will help you qualify for more specific roles in billing and records management.
Industry Recognition
Climbing the career ladder is always easier when you have a helping hand. Certifications offer recognition within the healthcare industry, extending beyond your current employer and into the field. As you grow your career, you’ll also build a reputation that will follow you wherever you go. As the best-qualified among your peers, others may seek to help you advance.
Final Thoughts
Preparation is the key to success in any field. In healthcare, which means getting an education and becoming certified. The time and effort it takes are an investment in your future. The more you learn, the more you know, and the farther you will go.
Want to Learn More?
All healthcare facilities, from hospitals and physician’s offices, to rehab centers, clinics, and every other type of medical practice, rely on skilled Medical Office Administration programs to function. We’ll train you in a wide range of medical administrative practices and processes. Plus, you’ll get real-world experience through a 135-hour school externship in an actual healthcare facility. You’ll also interact with people from all walks of life, making your daily routine anything but dull.
So, let’s take the first step together! Contact us now to learn more.
