What Is a Medical Practice Administrator and How to Become One

A medical practice administrator, also known as a practice manager, provides administrative support in a health care facility or a doctor’s office. Typically a managerial position, your duties for this job include designing and implementing procedures and policies, staffing and scheduling, ensuring regulation compliance, and supervising non-clinical staff. The career qualifications vary depending on the size of the office. Some medical practice administrators have a bachelor’s degree and several years of job experience while others have advanced degrees, such as an MBA. Other requirements for this job include leadership and organizational skills, the ability to multitask, and a keen understanding of health care policies and regulations.

To pursue a career as a medical practice administrator, you must have work experience in a clinical or administrative role in a healthcare facility, such as a hospital or long-term care facility. The minimum qualifications typically include a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a field like public health administration, business administration, health administration, health management, or health information systems. You need analytical skills for investigating problems and devising solutions within your organization. Strong interpersonal communication skills are necessary for interacting with clients, medical professionals, and insurance representatives. Experience developing and implementing policy changes is crucial for this managerial job.