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Get your Teeth into Education by Qualifying as a Medical or Dental Administrator

By Kelly Richardson
Learning & Life Columnist

A career in medicine or dentistry doesn't have to mean becoming a doctor, dentist or nurse through a long and expensive education. There is a host of exciting and rewarding positions in medical or dental administration that you can enter by earning a four or two-year degree, or certificate. Administrative personnel can enjoy the benefits of helping patients without having to perform actual medical procedures.

The medical and dental fields continue to grow and offer a variety of integral positions in administration to goal-oriented professionals. According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, the combination of advances in medical technology and a growing and aging population means that the health care industry will see a significantly higher average employment rate through the year 2012. Medical and dental administrators are a vital part of the health care service and will benefit from this increased employment opportunity.

What are medical and dental administrators?

Medical and dental administrators are literally the glue that holds the practice together. They perform a variety of duties at different management levels that keep the office or clinic running smoothly and efficiently. These individuals are usually the first point of contact for patients and create the first impression the patient has of a practice. However, the role of a health care administrator is much more than simply as a receptionist. Here are just a few of the duties assigned to a typical medical or dental administrator.

• Maintaining patient and office records - keeping current and accurate records is probably the most important duty the medical or dental administrator has. The legal health of the practice depends on it.
• Maintaining patient appointments and rescheduling - doctors and dentists rely on their administrators to keep the patients flowing. This requires good communication skills and a genuine desire to help people.
• Maintaining relationships with insurance carriers - this duty is vital to ensure that the practice is reimbursed for every procedure performed. This ensures the financial health of the practice.
• Maintaining practice-critical supplies - one of the critical responsibilities of the medical or dental administrator is to ensure the availability of the supplies needed to operate the facility, such as procedural equipment and disposables.

Qualifying as a medical or dental administrator

Earning medical or dental administration credentials doesn't involve the long years and expensive price tag of a medical or dental degree. While high standards are maintained, the road to certification is significantly shorter and less expensive and can lead to satisfying careers in health care administration. On the other hand, a master's degree can lead to management level positions but takes longer to complete. It is important to check the qualifications required for a desired position before deciding which type of program to enter, as follows:

• A master's degree in health services administration leading to positions as facility administrator or medical business manager. This typically requires five years of total schooling as well as an internship in a medical setting. A master's degree is usually required for advancement into higher level management.
• A four-year bachelor's degree could lead to a variety of positions, such as records administrator or scheduling administrator. In most medical environments, the bachelor's degree is required for employment as an entry-level medical administrator.
• A one-year diploma or certificate programs in health services administration or medical office management opens up opportunities for individuals seeking careers as a patient liaison, coding specialist, or administrative assistant.

Which health care administration program?

There are a variety of factors to consider when choosing a health care administration program including program length, cost per credit hour, guidance and support, and graduate opportunities. The institutions listed below are quality accredited programs that offer a good starting point for researching the position you desire.

• University of Phoenix offers a Bachelor of Science in Health Administration. University of Phoenix prepares the graduate for positions in health care management. The program itself is grounded in skills relevant to healthcare administration.
• CDI College offers programs in dental assisting and administration. CDI College prepares graduates to assist in all areas of dental assisting and administration, including administrative support duties, clinical procedures, insurance coding, and patient care.
• Remington College offers quality programs in medical and dental assisting. Remington College also provides career placement at the conclusion of your program.

Biting the bullet of health care education

There are educational paths in medical and dental administration to match whichever administrative role you choose, from the one-year certificate to the five-year master's degree. It is critical that you investigate the requirements for your preferred position before choosing a program. A career as a health care administrator can be personally satisfying and financially rewarding, all you have to do is make your choice and bite the education bullet that will propel you to greater career success.

Sources:

• US Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics

About the Author
Kelly Richardson covers the local education and technology scenes in major cities across the country. His articles appear in a variety of respected educational journals, periodicals, and e-zines.

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