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Practice Administrator - Career Profile |
Career OverviewA practice administrator or manager is essentially responsible for all business items within the practice that are non-medical in nature. This means that the practice administrator may be responsible for overseeing billing issues, inventory and supply issues, setting staffing schedules and even scheduling patients.
In private practices the practice administrator may also complete follow-ups and confirm appointments and may assist with insurance claims and other paperwork required for medically billing or patient care.
The practice administrator will often be responsible for the various job components for more than on physician, especially in practices where there is a group of doctors in one privately owned treatment facility, office or clinic. The practice administrator often supervisors numerous clerical, billing and non-medical employees that work in physician’s offices and clinics.
Some practice administrators with medical background may also supervise some of the medical staff if required. A practice administrator should have excellent organizational skills and should be able to work with all types of staff, patients and doctors. The practice administrator is often required to participate in data entry, records management and other data oriented responsibilities within the office or facility.
The practice administrator will need a good understanding of computers, both software and hardware, telecommunications systems, and billing and financial aspects of the office or treatment center. The practice administrator usually works standard business hours but may be required to work some evenings or weekends if the practice schedules appointments at these times.
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Career RequirementsFor smaller offices with less than two or three doctors or specialists often the requirements for a practice administrator are that they have worked for the physicians and are familiar with office protocol and procedures. No formal training may be required other than the on-the-job training they have already received.
For larger private practices and even large government run facilities a Masters in Business Administration or Healthcare Administration may be required. Additional knowledge or experience in accounting, finance or medical billing is considered an asset.
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Job OutlookThe demand for practice administrator will remain steady for the next several years according to the United States Department of Labor. While there is a decreasing need for actual individuals due to more automated data entry and billing there is also an increasing number of new clinics and medical offices opening up. Supervisory or management staff is still required to oversee these offices and this trend is expected to continue until the year 2014.
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Career TrackA practice administrator with a Masters degree in business or hospital/healthcare administration has several options for changing careers. He or she may decide to enter into mid-management fields becoming a specialist in billing, human resources, office management or even working as a program manager.
Some operations managers may decide to work as consultants assisting new offices or staff on current technologies or office systems. Medical software and equipment companies may also be considered alternate career choices for qualified practice administrators.
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CompensationMost practice administrators with a bachelors level education and in small practices earn between $32,000 and $45,000 per year. Those practice administrators in large facilities with MBA degrees may increase their yearly salary to over $50,000 per year, depending on location and years of experience.
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