Before choosing any career path, the first thing you must do is determine which path is right for you. Sometimes, though, two careers may be similar enough that it can be difficult to sort out their pros and cons. This is true of medical office assisting and medical transcription. Both of these careers have a lot to offer, and both require a similar level of training and experience… but which is right for you? Medical Office Assistance A Medical Office Assistant works in a hospital or physician’s office in a secretarial or administrative assistance capacity. Working with physicians and health care providers is a demanding and detail-oriented position-- in order to successfully work as a Medical Office Assistant,

you must have good communications skills, some experience as an Administrative Assistant or Secretary, and the proper training. Training: In addition to applying the usual office-related tasks to the health care field, some of the more complicated things a Medical Office Assistant must undertake are medical billing, completing clinical procedures, and applying medical terminology. Most Medical Office Assistants take certificate programs, either online or at a community college or university.

Pay and Work Conditions: Medical Office Assistants generally make from $20,000 to $30,000 per year, depending on location. This salary is in addition to regular health and vacation benefits provided by the employer. Medical Office Assistants generally work from a physician’s office or hospital, and have very few opportunities to telecommute. Medical Transcription The job of a Medical Transcriptionist is to listen to recordings dictated by health care professionals, transcribing them into reports.