Medical Office Manager Overview

Health care is a business and it requires effective management to keep things running smoothly. Medical office managers oversee the operations, human resources, records, financial and other functions of health care organizations. Whether in a clinic or in a hospital, the medical office manager holds perhaps the most pivotal role in maintaining profitable operations and delivering top quality care.

Medical office managers are often responsible for millions of dollars in facilities and equipment and hundreds of employees. To work effectively, they need to remain open to different viewpoints and be good at analyzing information. They must also possess strong leadership abilities to motivate others to implement their decisions.

The BLS reports that most medical office managers are employed in the following facilities:

• General medical and surgical hospitals
• Outpatient care centers
• Offices of physicians
• Home health care services
• Nursing care facilities

Most office managers work long hours. Nursing care facilities and hospitals operate around the clock, and managers may be called at all hours to deal with problems. They may also travel to attend meetings or inspect satellite facilities and spend considerable time walking to consult with coworkers.

Medical office manager training runs the gamut from one-year certificate programs to master's and doctoral degree programs in health administration. While a master's degree is the standard for most generalist positions in large organizations, a bachelor's degree is adequate to gain positions in smaller facilities or at the departmental level within larger organizations. In order to fully prepare a student for the variety of responsibilities that go with the job, degree programs commonly offer the courses in the following areas:

• Medical terminology
• Medical law and ethics
• Billing and collections
• Office management
• Business communication
• Human resources

Medical office managers are also versed in state and federal health care regulations and programs (for example, HIPAA, OSHA and Medicare), salaries and benefits, physician recruitment, managed care, facility management, malpractice issues, records management and coding.

All states require medical office managers in nursing care facilities to hold a bachelor's degree, pass a licensing examination, complete a state approved training program and pursue continuing education. Some states also require licenses for assisted living facilities.

The designation Certified Medical Manager (CMM) is available to those who pass an examination covering 18 areas of medical practice administration. A minimum of three years' experience in the health care field and 12 course hours in health care or business management are required to take the exam. This requirement is reduced by one hour for each year of experience above the three-year minimum. Retention of the CMM certification requires 24 hours of continuing education every two years.