Medical administrative assistants are one of the most in-demand support roles in healthcare, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). BLS data indicates job opportunities for medical assistants will grow by 16% overall by 2031, which equates to over 117,800 new jobs.

Medical records specialists will see similar job growth. According to BLS, job opportunities for medical records specialists are expected to grow 7%, or 12,300 jobs, by 2031.

In working with healthcare providers and professionals, NHA has seen a growing need for medical administrative assistants to work with EHR systems. According to BLS, such highly qualified EHRS specialists can expect to earn $46,660 per year, on average.

HOW DO MEDICAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS USE ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS SYSTEMS?
According to the NHA, medical administrative assistants can enter information into EHR systems. In many cases, medical assistants who take on this responsibility help doctors see and treat patients more efficiently and may help reduce errors in medical procedures and their documentation.

WHAT DOES ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS WORK INVOLVE?
EHR work is focused on the electronic documentation of the patient’s care and condition. EHR Specialist job activities might include:

• Auditing patient records for compliance with government or insurance requirements
• Abstracting clinical information for reporting purposes
• Performing basic coding for reimbursement claims
• Processing Release of Information (ROI) requests for medical records
• Reviewing patient records for completion and accuracy
• Collecting patient information for demographic and insurance reports
• Discussing patient information with physicians and insurance professionals

IS CERTIFICATION IMPORTANT FOR A MEDICAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT?
Getting certified validates one’s skill set and dedication to a healthcare career. Similarly, getting a focused certification like the CEHR proves one’s specialized skills and ability to handle a broader set of responsibilities in a healthcare facility. The NHA also notes that approximately 75% of employers now require certification for career paths that lead to promotion.

• Learn best financial practices for a medical center
• Master the fundamentals of medical terminology and ethical best practices
• Understand the basics of working with medical documents, medical billing, and coding processes
• Learn to manage patient visits, arrange follow-up care, and issue prescriptions
• Keep track of vital information such as patient allergies and medications
• Understand how to best read and interpret health records
• Describe how to establish the appropriate EHR for your practice
• Learn a wide range of medical office management skills
• Prepare to sit for the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) and the Electronic Health Record Specialist Certification (CEHRS) exams offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA)

There are no prerequisites to take this course. However, you will need a high school diploma or GED to take the CMAA and CEHRS exams.

Medical Terminology
Introduction to Medical Terminology
The Musculoskeletal System
The Cardiovascular System
The Lymphatic and Immune Systems
The Respiratory System
The Digestive System
The Urinary System
The Nervous System
The Special Senses, The Eyes and Ears
The Integumentary System
The Endocrine System
The Reproductive System
Diagnostic Procedures, Nuclear Medicine, Pharmacology

Certified Medical Administrative Assistant
Introduction to Medical Assisting
Telecommunications, Written Communications, Computers, and the Medical Office Environment
Patient Scheduling and Managing Medical Records
Medical Insurance and Coding
The Revenue Cycle
Pharmacology Fundamentals
Workplace Readiness

Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist
An Overview of EHR and CEHRS
An Introduction to MOSS 3.0
History of EHRs
Steps to EHR Implementation
The EHR Framework
HIPAA Requirements and EHR Systems
The EHR and Record Content
Lists, Treatment Plans, Orders, and Results
Patient Visit Management
Coding, Billing, and Practice Reports
Patient Communications
Practice Reports, Research, Registries, and Reportable Events
Personal Health Records and Continuing Care Records
 

Nancy Smith

Nancy Smith has over 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry. Her clinical experience includes working as a medical assistant for a network of rural health clinics, and as a medical coder, insurance claims specialist, and medical records auditor. She worked as a medical office manager for ten years, where she recruited and trained all medical assistants. Nancy holds a bachelor's degree in vocational education and has developed and taught medical assistant programs.

Jennifer Della'Zanna

Jennifer Della'Zanna has more than 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry, having worked as a medical transcriptionist, practice administrator, biller, and coding specialist. She writes courses and study guides on the use of technology in health care and regularly contributes to publications about health issues. Della'Zanna is a member of the American Academy of Professional Coders and the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Albright College.

Rachael Delekta

Rachael Delekta is an MBA in Healthcare Administration and Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist. Rachael has been in the health care field for over ten years. She has worked mostly on the insurance side of things, as a customer service manager for dental insurance, a claims and customer service coach, and a workers' compensation case management biller and auditor. She works daily with medical records and healthcare software.

Carline Dalgleish

Carline Dalgleish has worked in medical office administration for over 30 years. She holds a bachelor's degree in Business Information Systems, a master's degree in Leadership, and a post-baccalaureate certificate in Health Information Management. She is a Registered Health Information Administrator and an AHIMA Approved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer. Dalgleish is the author of an ICD-10 coding system and also owns her own consulting firm, AnnGrant Educational Services.

Sharon L. Blackford

Sharon L. Blackford, MA, BA, RMA, has over 30 years of experience in the medical field. She has a master's degree in Organizational Management, a bachelor's degree in Business Management, and has served as a Registered Medical Assistant since 1994. Sharon was an active-duty Clinical Specialist in the U.S. Army for 10 years. Sharon later moved to the Gulf Coast to accept a position as the Director of Education of Blue Cliff College and was promoted to Campus Director.

Stacey O'Brien

Stacey O'Brien has more than 10 years of experience in medical coding and reimbursement. Ms. O'Brien has been a risk adjustment coder for a Medicare advantage plan, audited medical records for a consulting firm, and currently supervises the coding and electronic claims submission process for a group medical practice. She has a bachelor's degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a CPC coding certification from the AAPC.

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