Program Overview

Medical Reception Associate Degree

The Medical Reception Certificate of Applied Science equips students with the skills to provide exceptional service in a medical setting. Duties include scheduling appointments, obtaining and entering patient registration information, releasing appropriate medical information, maintaining medical records, and managing patient flow. Students will also be instructed in the financial transactions of a practice and gain a clear understanding of billing and collections cycles.

Program Description

The Medical Reception Certificate prepares students with the required skills to provide exceptional service to patients in a medical setting, ranging from private practice receptionists to hospital ward secretaries. Students learn how to perform essential duties including:

• Greeting patients
• Scheduling appointments
• Screening telephone calls
• Obtaining and entering patient registration information
• Releasing appropriate medical information
• Maintaining medical records
• Managing patient flow This also includes understanding the financial transactions of a practice and a clear understanding of all the activities in the billing and collection cycle, as well as applying foundational knowledge of medical law and the principles of medical ethics, as well as the guidelines established by HIPAA.

Career Opportunities

Upon completion of the program, students receive a Certificate of Applied Science and will be prepared to work as receptionists in healthcare facilities and physician offices. Salary statistics in medical reception vary depending on the industry, with median salaries ranging from $37,500 for offices of health practitioners to $58,000 for engineering and related services. Other places of work, such as dental offices, legal services, and outpatient care centers, fall within this range.

Experiential Learning

Medical Reception courses emphasize practical application and real-world learning. Medical Reception training includes:

• Accounting procedures
• Administrative skills in billing
• Interpersonal communication
• Scheduling
• Patient care Additionally, a course dedicated to preparing students for internships and medical reception jobs, Career Readiness, is offered.

Career Development Options

Faculty are well-regarded in the healthcare community and have built relationships across the state, making it easy for students to network and find job opportunities. Graduates can also continue their education, pursuing bachelor's or master's degrees in fields that align with their chosen concentrations or interests, which can open doors to higher-paying and more advanced roles within their respective industries.

Related Degree Options

Other Business Technology Degree Options at the University of Montana include:

• Medical Assisting Associate of Applied Science
• Medical Claims Service Certificate of Technical Studies
• Specialist Medical Information Technology Associate of Applied Science
• Medical Laboratory Science Bachelor of Science

The Medical Reception program at Missoula College, University of Montana, empowers students with the skills and knowledge to thrive in the dynamic world of healthcare, with a strong curriculum, promising employment statistics, and a focus on experiential learning, preparing students for a wide range of creative and rewarding careers in the field.