Medical Assistant Back Office Duties: Everything You Need to Know

Did you know that according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assisting is one of the fastest-growing occupations in the U.S., with a projected job growth of 18% from 2022 to 2032? This means there's a high demand for skilled medical assistants, both in front-office and medical assistant back office duties.
A medical assistant is a multi-talented healthcare professional who works under the supervision of a physician or other licensed healthcare provider. They handle a variety of administrative and clinical duties to keep medical practices running smoothly and ensure quality care to patients.
And today, we'll focus on the world of back-office medical assistants. 

Back Office Medical Assistant Duties

Back office medical assistants handle the clinical and laboratory side of things, away from the hustle and bustle of the front desk. Their responsibilities can be broadly categorized into two areas: administrative duties and clinical duties.

Administrative duties of a back office medical assistant include:

• Maintaining medical records: This involves accurately updating patient charts with medical history, medications, allergies, immunization records, and treatment plans.
• Medical billing and coding: Back-office medical assistants assign appropriate medical codes to diagnoses and medical procedures performed by the physician. These codes are used for insurance billing purposes.
• Scheduling appointments: While some scheduling might be done by the front office, back-office assistants may also be responsible for scheduling follow-up appointments for patients after they see the doctor.
• Managing patient referrals: Coordinating referrals to specialists and ensuring patients receive the necessary care outside the practice falls on the shoulders of back-office medical assistants.
• Ordering medical supplies: Keeping the stockroom stocked with essential medical supplies is crucial for smooth operations. Back-office assistants play a key role in maintaining inventory and placing orders.

Clinical duties of a back office medical assistant involve directly assisting with patient care:

• Taking vital signs: This includes recording blood pressure, temperature, pulse, respiration rate, and oxygen saturation levels.
• Preparing patients for examinations: Back-office medical assistants might assist with tasks like taking weight and height measurements, recording allergies, and prepping patients for procedures like EKGs.
• Assisting with medical procedures: They may help doctors during examinations and minor procedures by handing them instruments and sterilizing equipment.
• Collecting laboratory specimens: This could involve drawing blood, collecting urine samples, or performing basic lab tests.

Back Office Medical Assistant Skills

To thrive in this role, you'll need a combination of hard and soft skills. Here are some of the most important ones:

• Strong attention to detail: Accuracy is paramount when dealing with medical records and billing.
• Excellent communication skills: Effectively communicating with patients, doctors, and other healthcare professionals is essential.
• Time management skills: Back-office medical assistants often juggle multiple tasks simultaneously, so staying organized is key.
• Computer proficiency: Most medical practices use electronic health records (EHR) and billing software, so familiarity with these systems is a plus.
• Compassion and empathy: Providing emotional support and care to patients is an important part of the job.

Medical Assistant Front Office Duties

Front office medical assistants, on the other hand, are the first point of contact for patients. Their duties typically involve:

• Greeting patients and answering phones
• Scheduling appointments
• Verifying insurance information
• Collecting patient co-pays
• Updating patient demographics
• Directing patients to exam rooms

A career as a medical assistant looks pretty exciting right? Wondering where to start? Don’t worry, we got you covered. Read the next section below! 

Considering a career as a back-office medical assistant?

If you're looking for a rewarding career path in healthcare that offers a good balance of administrative and clinical tasks, then becoming a back-office medical assistant might be the perfect fit for you.

The Tennessee Professional Training Institute (TNPTI) offers a comprehensive Certified Medical Assistant program in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, that equips you with the skills and knowledge you need to excel in this in-demand field. TNPTI's program combines classroom learning with real-world clinical experience, preparing you to hit the ground running upon graduation.

Ready to take the first step towards a fulfilling career in healthcare? Visit TNPTI's website today to learn more about our Certified Medical Assistant program