Navigating the Path to a Medical Administrative Assistant Internship: Requirements and Opportunities

The healthcare industry is experiencing significant growth, creating a high demand for both frontline medical professionals and skilled administrative staff. A career as a medical administrative assistant offers a fulfilling path for individuals interested in healthcare but preferring to work behind the scenes, ensuring the smooth operation of medical offices and clinics. Internships play a crucial role in preparing aspiring medical administrative assistants for successful careers.

Understanding the Role of a Medical Administrative Assistant

Medical administrative assistants are vital to a well-run physician’s office or clinic. While some administrative tasks may overlap with general office assistants, the expertise and skills required in a medical setting differ greatly. Unlike medical assistants who work directly with patients, medical office assistants focus more on clerical work, serving as a liaison between the physician and the patient. Their responsibilities include relaying patient concerns to the doctor, updating patient records, scheduling appointments, and greeting patients. They process and organize patient record information and the scheduling of appointments.

The Value of Internships

Internships and entry-level roles can help you prepare to become a medical office assistant. Employers prefer that job applicants have experience in the field, which is why internships are so valuable. An internship provides invaluable practical experience, allowing aspiring medical administrative assistants to apply their knowledge in a real-world setting.

Mayo Clinic's Administrative Internship Program

Mayo Clinic hires a cohort of graduate-level administrative interns each year, with opportunities spanning all destination and health system hub sites. The Mayo Clinic provides an excellent learning environment for healthcare management graduate students interested in health care leadership. Administrative interns join a specific division or department for the summer and are precepted by an Operations Administrator or Vice Chair of Administration. Each intern will fill this position for ten to twelve weeks, dependent on availability and work unit needs. Preceptors provide graduate students with a broad range of learning opportunities depending on the priorities of the department, as well as the graduate student’s professional interests. The internship program also provides time for professional development and learning through lunch and learns, site visits, and presentations that give you the opportunity to learn from dedicated practitioners and fellow interns. The internship posting will open each year early to mid-October, with a deadline in December to start the selection process. To apply, go to the Careers Site home page and search “Intern-Graduate” to find the posting.

Essential Skills for Success

Medical administrative assistants need a few skills to be successful on the job. These include strong organizational skills, verbal and written communication skills, customer service skills, and an understanding of medical records, paperwork, and billing. Successful medical administrative assistants have good communication skills and are compassionate and supportive in their interactions with patients. Attention to detail is also extremely important.

Education and Certification

In general, you don’t need a degree or much education outside of a high school diploma to become an entry-level medical administrative assistant. However, while there may be no formal education requirement, many employers do prefer to see that you have some background and experience in the field or a similar role. Earning a career diploma or completing medical administrative assistant training can make a difference in order to stand out from other applicants and increase your chances of getting in the door at a doctor’s office. While certification isn’t required to work as a medical administrative assistant, 75% of employers require or encourage certification for medical administrative assistants, so you can boost your resume and reaffirm your skills by sitting for an industry-recognized exam like the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant exam from the National Healthcareer Association. Herzing’s medical office administration programs include preparation for the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) exam. The CMAA is a recognized credential in the industry that can add to either your diploma or associate degree.

Pathways to Advancement

Your career path as a medical office assistant can, generally, go two ways: toward leadership roles or more clinical roles. For example, if you start an entry-level job in a medical office as an office assistant, you can work your way up to becoming the office manager. If you’re already working in a medical office, making this transition can be easier. You can advance your medical administrator career by pursuing a bachelor’s degree in health administration. Taking this next step will help you gain the analytical, problem solving, management and leadership skills you need to stay competitive in the changing healthcare industry and can prepare you for roles as a health insurance manager, physician practice manager and more.

Finding the Right Working Environment

As a medical office administrator, you have the opportunity to work in a variety of environments. There are three main types of environments you can work in as a medical office administrator: hospitals, clinics or private practices. In a hospital, a medical office administrator’s position is well-defined. People usually have a specific role within a department, which is important because it is generally a fast-paced work environment. You will work with large patient numbers and there might also more opportunities for employees because of the large size of most hospitals. Medical administrators in clinics typically work regular business hours and can enjoy a good work-life balance. This environment can be less stressful than a hospital setting because patients usually make appointments before coming in. Medical administrators need to have strong customer and communication skills as they will interact with patients by phone or at the front desk. The medical office administrator has a less defined role in private practice. You will be expected to have great organization and multitasking skills as you juggle multiple tasks since there are fewer employees. By working on a variety of tasks each day, you can also learn more about various aspects of the healthcare field.

Steps to Becoming a Medical Office Administrator

Here are steps to help you start your journey to become a medical office administrator:

Earn your degree: A medical office administration program can help prepare you for entry-level healthcare administrator roles. You should choose a program that works best for your schedule and your career goals.
Gain experience: Employers prefer that job applicants have experience in the field, which is why internships are so valuable.
Get certified: While certification isn’t mandatory, it can make you a more desirable hire, providing the kind of professional credentials healthcare employers prefer.
Choose a working environment: As a medical office administrator, you have the opportunity to work in a variety of environments.
Continue your education: Even after earning a diploma or degree and finding your first job, you will never stop learning.

Salary Expectations

The average salary for an entry-level medical administrative assistant can vary based on state, employer, and experience. However, in 2022, the median salary for medical admins was $38,500 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. To earn even more, gaining industry certifications, specializing in something like medical coding and billing, and furthering your education can help!

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