Unit clerk and medical office assistant positions have plenty of overlap, but there are some key differences you should be aware of when considering a career in either role.
In this article, you’ll find out what it’s like to start working as both a unit clerk and a medical office assistant.
What Does Starting a Career as a Unit Clerk Look Like?
Often, unit clerks are hired as casual employees to start. Casual employees are hired on an as-needed basis to increase the capacity of a department and fill in for permanent staff on vacation or sick leave. As a result, a casual employee may be offered work on short notice and work in several different departments or locations within the organization.
Casual employees can accept or turn down work as it is offered, and this arrangement gives a lot of flexibility to the casual employee. If desired, casual employees can also accept shifts up to and even beyond 40 hours per week.
When starting a new Unit Clerk position, you will undergo orientation and training on the organization’s policies, procedures, and safety protocols. Additionally, you will receive training for the specific tasks and responsibilities you will be expected to perform, such as patient care, medical record-keeping, and clerical duties.
What Does Starting a Career as a Medical Office Assistant Look Like?
When starting a job as a medical office assistant (MOA), you will receive training on your employer’s specific policies and procedures. This may include learning how to use electronic medical record systems, understanding the facility’s billing and insurance procedures, and becoming familiar with the layout of the office.
You will also receive training on the various tasks of the job, such as scheduling appointments, maintaining patient records, and preparing patients for medical procedures. You may also learn how to take patient vital signs, assist in basic laboratory procedures, and perform other clinical duties.
Typically, MOAs have set schedules within regular work-week hours.
Want to learn more about becoming a unit clerk or MOA? Read our blog on becoming a unit clerk and have your most frequently asked questions answered!
Start Your Career in Healthcare at ABES Today
As either a unit clerk or MOA, you will be working in a fast-paced environment, and it may be challenging to keep up with all the tasks that need to be done. However, with a solid educational foundation and some experience, you’ll learn how to manage your workload more efficiently.
Interested in becoming a unit clerk or MOA? Contact ABES College today to learn more about our combined Unit Clerk & Medical Office Assistant Diploma Program.