Once you complete your degree in Medical Office Administration, you will be working with administrative professionals within an office environment. This article will introduce you to some tips and tricks that will help distinguish you from other professionals. 

Dress and act the part:

You will be the first person the patient sees when entering the office and you should provide a good first impression. That means always dressing professionally, and using that wonderful smile to greet patients. Dressing the part also provides confidence, as the old saying goes” when you look good, you feel good!”

Top of the line dress clothes can get a little heavy on the wallet, however certain stores offer up some great deals. Some of the higher end bargain retailers are Gabriel Brothers, Burlington, and JC Penney. If these options are still too pricey for your budget, do not rule out Salvation Army, Goodwill, and Dress for Success.  Also, always keep a positive attitude. Medical offices can get very busy, and your team will appreciate you not losing your cool.

Learn the Software:

This could vary with each office; however once you find the job you want, check out what software they use. The more proficient you become, the more doors are going to open for you. The goal of any job is to make yourself indispensable, and you achieve that by acquiring knowledge. In the professional world, knowledge is power. For example, say your office uses Microsoft Excel to schedule appointments. If you were the Excel expert, wouldn’t you feel good knowing that they relied on you?  As stated, software programs can vary but some common ones include Microsoft Office, QuickBooks, Peachtree, and any other third party medical/scheduling software. Don’t just rely on your company training, do some independent research. Google is a great source to find info on any of these.

Model Yourself after the Best

Although this article is about Medical Office Administration, this tip is universal. The first week that you enter a new job, find the best worker in the office and observe them. You should observe everything; professionalism; work ethic, knowledge in certain areas, communication, etc. You want to identify their strengths and weaknesses, and then model yourself after them. Obviously, if they are in a higher position, they understand what it takes to obtain and keep that position “Learn from others mistakes, and not your own”; is another old adage that proves to be true in this situation.  It also gives you a good idea of what your company is looking for in terms of leadership, and how well they treat their best employees.

Practice Organization

I know what you’re thinking; organization is not something you can practice! You either have it or you don’t! That is simply not true, and your organizational skills are a crucial part of what you bring to an organization. As a medical office administrator, they expect you to be organized. That is, at least one reason, why they pay you. You should not fight it, just practice, practice, practice. The good news is you have complete control over this process because it all starts with you. How can you organize a busy office when you don’t have your own affairs in order? Doesn’t make sense does it?  So, you can start by taking an honest look in the mirror and realizing where you can be more organized in your personal life. This will help you recognize it quicker on the job. Organization is more mental training than physical training. If you can train your mind to make these types of conscience decisions, you will become an essential part of your office.

For more information on graduation rates, median debt of students who have completed their programs, and other important information, please visit our website at www.piht.edu/programs.