In any doctor’s office or hospital, an office manager works behind the scenes to make sure business operations run smoothly. This individual is often the first to arrive and the last to leave, and they serve as the point-person for inquiries.
The office manager typically coordinates the hiring and managing of support staff, manages relationships with vendors and suppliers, and may even help make bank deposits or take care of other financial matters. Aspiring medical office managers gain the nuanced knowledge and skills they need with the online Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Business Administration – Healthcare Management program from Florida Institute of Technology.
Job Outlook for Office Managers
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that the employment of administrative services and facility managers will increase by 6% from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average growth of all occupations. Medical office managers with more specialized health care knowledge and responsibilities may fall under the medical and health services managers job category, which, with 29% projected employment growth through 2033, is one of the fastest-growing occupations in the country.
While job growth is strong, competition can still be tight for office manager positions in health care. Office managers with strong communications, leadership and team-building skills — and those with an understanding of the challenges of health care management — will have the upper hand in landing the most desirable jobs.
Medical Office Manager Job Description and Duties
Office managers are generally in charge of administrative tasks and procedures centered around an organization’s physical office location. This can include processes like overseeing schedules and payroll, organizing and running meetings, conducting evaluations, ordering and maintaining business supplies and equipment, and managing the office budget.
These professionals may also coordinate with the schedules of executives and assign departmental resources to projects. In many health care office settings, the office manager may perform additional duties, such as conducting new-employee training and orientation, coordinating contracts and liaising with payroll. Medical office managers may also engage with patients surrounding billing changes, train staff, and communicate with physicians and other medical personnel. Much of their job duties will vary according to the hierarchy of roles and responsibilities within a health care organization.
Medical Office Manager Job Environment
Most office manager positions are 9-to-5 jobs; however, like many careers within the health care industry, the pace of work can be fast and hectic. Those who are in charge of a large practice or a hospital with facilities may face significant pressure. Keeping a cool head while being able to multi-task and manage different personalities is crucial. Office managers generally have a structured work environment with clearly defined duties.
Individuals in this role need to stay on top of the various needs of the practice to ensure it runs as efficiently as possible. This means keeping track of others’ schedules and productivity and regularly communicating with management and support staff.
Medical Office Manager Salary Potential
According to BLS, administrative services and facilities managers earned a median annual salary of $108,390 in 2024. The highest paid 10% of professionals in this occupational group earned more than $200,010 annually.
In more specialized health care roles or settings, BLS reports that medical and health services managers made a median annual salary of $117,960 in 2024, with the top 10% of salaries exceeding $219,080. Those without substantial education or experience will typically start at the lower end of the pay scale. Experience and advanced education can lead to better job opportunities with higher incomes.
Medical Office Manager Qualifications, Education and Training
Most office managers hold either an associate or a bachelor’s degree, at a minimum. According to BLS, becoming a manager in medical and health services typically requires a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline like business or health care — or a combination of the two.
As such, those looking to land an office manager job in a health care setting can gain the credential and competitive edge they need through earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration and health care management. This type of degree program prepares students to excel in health care management roles as well as more specialized roles in health care, such as risk management. Completion of a health care management program shows that a graduate is able to do the following:
- Communicate effectively with health care professionals, service providers and clients
- Apply solid analytical and organizational skills to key office tasks
- Understand the roles and responsibilities of employees throughout the health care organization
- Exercise critical-thinking methods to identify problems and recommend solutions
Is a Medical Office Manager Job the Right Choice?
Organized, efficient people who are capable of overseeing the many tasks and support staff needed to run an office may find success in a health care office manager career. The profession can be engaging, challenging and rewarding.
Yet excelling in this role requires specialized health care knowledge, leadership skills and other management competencies. Students enrolled in Florida Tech’s BA in Business Administration – Healthcare Management online program have the opportunity to gain this wide-ranging expertise and pursue a medical office manager position that suits their interests and career goals.
Learn more about Florida Tech’s online BA in Business Administration – Healthcare Management program.
