Our students are in demand

For fast-growing careers, health-care is where it's at. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), medical assistant will be among the fastest-growing occupation through 2016.
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DESCRIPTION
The Medical Office Specialist will posses skills in several specialty areas that are in high demand in clinics, laboratories, hospitals, and practitioners offices. They will be trained in performing a variety of advanced procedures to draw blood (phlebotomy), conducting electrocardiograms (EKG) while differentiating lethal from normal rhythms, and a variety of office skills necessary to process patient information including medical management software and ICD-9 and CPT Coding.

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES
The Medical Office Specialist will perform some clerical duties. These will include scheduling patients, minor charting, labeling blood samples and correctly mounting EKG tracings for physician review. In addition, they will enter patient demographics and data into medical management software and may be required to assess proper ICD-9 and CPT codes to the patient’s record. They should be familiar with computers and basic key- boarding skills, and have strong personnel communication and customer services skills, as they will interact daily with patient, practitioners, nursing and laboratory personnel. They will also learn about the new government regulations relating to a patient’s right to privacy (HIPPA) and ethical decision making

CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Although the Medical Office Specialist will work in a variety of settings, each will require that the individual be proficient in taking vital signs. In addition they will be trained to prepare patients for procedures including explaining the procedure and answering any of the patient’s questions. They will often perform their clinical responsibilities without direct supervision such as visiting a patient’s hospital room to perform testing.

WORKING CONDITIONS
The Medical Office Specialist will work in a clean, well-lighted environment. They will be interacting with others constantly and will need to able to multi-task. They will be trained in strict safety practices in handling needles, biohazards substances (including blood and other body fluids). They will learn the OSHA and CLIA government regulations and learn how to use Personal Protective Equipment. They will work in an environment
where these universal precautions are strictly adhered enforced.

EMPLOYMENT
Employment in the South Texas area are numerous. The medical industry is largest non-military industry.area is concentrated the San Antonio MSA.

*Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2008 (2006-07) Edition