Individuals who are interested in becoming a medical office assistant can complete online diploma programs that last a few months to a year or two-year associate degree programs. Programs can be regionally accredited or accredited by organizations such as the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council or the Educational Accreditation Association.
Through an online training program, aspiring medical office assistants can complete coursework at their own pace using the program's textbooks and study guides, according to Stratford Career Institute. The only difference between a traditional classroom program and an online program in medical office assisting is that online students must have access to a computer with high-speed Internet. This is necessary to submit homework assignments and open-book exams as well as to review grades electronically. Online students also use e-mail to contact their instructors directly. Some online training programs additionally require students to complete a hands-on practical internship experience in a medical office in their area, according to Breyer State University in California.
Classes in an online medical office assistant training program cover topics such as medical terminology, pharmacology, health information confidentiality, business communication, math and medical law and ethics. Students also study basic human anatomy/physiology and learn office procedures such as how to manage telephone calls, manage payroll and update patient medical records. In addition, students learn how to file insurance claims, schedule appointments and bill patients. They even study clinical duties such as how to take vital signs, assist with patient examinations and control infection in the medical office.
After completing a medical office assistant program online, students can land jobs with public health organizations for local, state or federal governments. They also can process claims and verify billing for insurance companies or find work in hospitals, private medical offices and clinics. In addition, students can seek certification as a registered medical assistant through organizations such as American Medical Technologists, according to Penn Foster Career School.
The demand for trained medical office assistants remains strong as the health care industry expands in response to a growing and aging population as well as medical advancements. Median annual wages of medical assistants, which include medical office assistants, in May 2008 were $28,300, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics.