What Does a Medical Office Specialist Do?

A medical office specialist typically works at the front desk of a private practice, hospital, nursing home or other medical office. Among the most common duties is communication with patients, even before they visit the office, because medical office specialists usually schedule appointments and let patients know their lab results. They also often talk to pharmacists and insurance representatives, because this is one of the many duties of running a medical office. In addition, a medical office specialist might sort through mail, transcribe information such as medical records, and keep track of patients' files and bills.

One of the most important aspects of this job is contact with patients, because the typical medical office specialist talks to patients every day, either on the phone or in person. For example, most medical office specialists schedule appointments, make reminder phone calls and greet people as they come in for their visit. They also may tell patients the results of their lab tests and talk to them about insurance or billing issues. While they are not usually expected or even allowed to offer medical advice, they typically answer other questions patients may have, including queries about office policies.

Those in medical office jobs also are usually in contact with people other than patients. For example, a medical office specialist may submit insurance claims for patients, which means she will likely talk to insurance representatives by phone. She also may talk to pharmacists, because ordering prescriptions for patients is a common aspect of this job. Additionally, the typical medical office specialist may be expected to assist laboratory technicians with the tests completed for patients.

Medical office specialist duties typically involve more than just communication with others, with some back-office tasks often being required, too. For instance, a medical office specialist may have to file the records of patients, keeping them organized and easily accessible, and updating them when necessary. Those considering a medical office career should know they may be expected to do some medical transcription occasionally, meaning they may need to listen to a doctor's recording or read his handwritten notes and type the information into a computer document. In addition, many medical office specialists deal with accounts receivable, keeping track of patients who have yet to pay their bills so the office gets the money it is owed. The average specialist of this type has to sort through both mail and email so the office stays current on its correspondence.