What are your career goals? What type of work do you specifically want to do?
I believe one of the best ways in helping to pick the best degree is to do job searches to see what the qualifications employers are asking for. This will help potential applicants to know what degree or certificate they should spend their time pursuing.
I was a non-traditional student, and what I did was contact professionals in jobs (didn't have google back then lol) to see what degrees they had. I am glad I did, because the degree I was thinking of majoring in would not have helped me get out of college sooner. It would have required an extra year in graduate school. The degree I had been thinking of majoring in would also not have helped me get the jobs I was interested in.
Now with the internet, there are easier ways of getting this information......one way as mentioned earlier is by doing job searches and viewing the job qualifications.
Examples of job searches:
Medical Office Coordinator Position:
"Must possess strong knowledge of medical office administration as normally obtained through 1-2 years experience in a healthcare, paralegal, managed care or credentialing. Requires knowledge of medical terminology and professional physician interface. Requires experience interacting with physicians in highly sensitive situations. Must possess strong verbal and written communication skills. Requires astute judgment in human relations skills to interface and communicate in an articulate manner with medical staff, administrators, legal counsel and hospital personnel.
Requires the ability to work with common office software and equipment.
Preferred Qualifications
Two years of college education is preferred. National Certification as a Medical Staff Services Professional is preferred. Knowledge of medical staff computer software programs is desirable."
https://jobs-bannerhealth.icims.com/jobs/111293/medical-staff-coordinator/job?mode=job&iis=Indeed&iisn=Indeed.com
Front Office Manager:
Requirements
•Bachelor's degree in Public Health, Health Care Admin or related field is required
•3-5 years of supervisory experience in an outpatient health care setting or medical office
•Excellent computer, Billing and EMR skills along with managerial and interpersonal skills required.
•Excellent customer service skills and must enjoy working in a diverse environment
http://www.sjfmccareers.com/careers/JobDetails.aspx?rid=165&sort=1&cj=0&p=1 Medical Office Manager:
"Applicants must have
-Extensive experience in medical practice billing (both self-pay and fee for service), including thorough assessment of billing metrics as they compare to best practices
-Insurance contracting
-Daily financial management including reconciling of cash and bank accounts,
-A record of professionalism in medical office administration including budget and cash flow management, facilities management,
-Experience maintaining banking relationships,
-Skills administering human resources,
-Physician and professional staff credentialing,
-Thorough knowledge of HIPPA and other regulatory compliance,
-Experience working with a billing and scheduling EMR (we have a clinical EMR as well that is integrated with the billing and scheduling),
-Evidence of ongoing continuing education in the medical management field,
-Proficiency with QuickBooks and MS Excel including reporting and data presentation and analysis.
-Experience overseeing a staff of at least 12 employees.
-Experience working with a group of at least 2 physician partners.
-Affinity for facilitating teamwork, communication, staff performance, consensus and problem solving are desired attributes for this unique opportunity"
http://www.healthecareers.com/job/medical-office-manager/1388716?type=partner&source=indeedorganic Medical Office:
Skills Required: medical terminology, computer savvy, oral and written communication skills
Degree Required: High School Diploma, Medical Office Administration Certificate
Industry Experience: Prefer Health - Physician office
http://cleveland.careerboard.com/job/3936846-.aspx?job_id=3936846&utm_source=indeed&utm_medium=trnsfr&utm_campaign=agg&utm_source=Indeed&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=Indeed