Why this matters:
Medical administrative assistants cast a wide net in terms of duties and responsibilities. They work with physicians and patients, and communicate with insurance companies and various vendors. Therefore, they must have a working knowledge of the healthcare operations necessary to support a facility and its core functions of treatment and payment.
What to listen for:
- Knowledge of healthcare operations and how to apply them
- Comfort level and confidence when speaking to their knowledge
- Willingness to learn more and fill any gaps in their knowledge and experience
Why this matters:
Computer literacy and familiarity with medical software are essential knowledge and skills for a medical administrative assistant. Their various administrative duties include using medical software to support transactions, scheduling appointments, managing accounts and financial records, etc., all of which rely on proficiency with computers.
What to listen for:
- Detailed experience with medical software and other applications
- Knowledge of relevant software programs and their uses/features
- Comfort level when speaking about computers and medical software
Why this matters:
Organizational skills impact a medical administrative assistant’s many responsibilities — such as filing paperwork, scheduling appointments, keeping track of medical records and charts, maintaining databases, etc. A medical administrative assistant’s ability to stay organized can determine whether a medical facility runs smoothly.
What to listen for:
- Experience with staying organized
- A genuine belief that organizational skills are an asset to a facility
- Problem-solving skills and a solutions-oriented mindset
Why this matters:
A medical administrative assistant should have exceptional communication skills to help ensure the smooth operation of a healthcare facility and deliver a positive patient experience. They are often the liaison between doctors and patients, so clear communication, the ability to listen with an open mind, discretion, and emotional intelligence are all key skills a candidate should possess.
What to listen for:
- Willingness to see a situation from another person’s perspective
- Ability to compromise and try out different solutions
- Ability to listen to others and respond with flexibility
Why this matters:
Medical administrative assistants must know how to organize and multitask. Responsibilities that may arise at any given time include scheduling appointments, assisting patients with initial paperwork, processing insurance claims, collaborating with doctors and nurses, updating patient health records, etc. Candidates should be able to handle simultaneous tasks with focus and ease.
What to listen for:
- Applying logic and organization when prioritizing tasks
- Potential to stay calm under pressure
- Ability to juggle several tasks at once
Why this matters:
In fast-paced medical environments, medical administrative assistants must be organized, efficient, and decisive in their approach to completing tasks. Candidates who can avoid becoming overwhelmed when faced with unforeseen responsibilities will be an asset to the medical facility on its busiest days.
What to listen for:
- An organized approach to prioritizing tasks
- Emotional resilience under pressure
- Ability to delegate or ask for help when necessary
Why this matters:
Because medical administrative assistants are responsible for a range of tasks — from data entry to communicating with doctors, patients, and insurance providers — at some point they’ll be assigned a task they haven’t yet encountered. It’s important that they can approach unfamiliar responsibilities with a willingness to learn and grow.
What to listen for:
- Resourcefulness in new environments and situations
- Willingness to learn and take on unfamiliar tasks
- Resilience when faced with a new or difficult situation
Why this matters:
Often the medical administrative assistant is a patient’s first touchpoint in a medical setting. Competitive candidates should demonstrate a willingness to help answer patients’ questions and to facilitate a positive experience. Candidates must possess the skills to address communication challenges and resolve conflict with patience and efficiency.
What to listen for:
- Solutions-oriented communication skills and a positive attitude
- Confidence with interpersonal dynamics
- Commitment to patient care and service
Why this matters:
As with any job, some administrative tasks can be monotonous, tedious, or lose their luster over time. Candidates can often speak confidently about the aspects of a job they like most; it’s as important to assess how they’ll perform when given tasks that aren’t as interesting to them.
What to listen for:
- Commitment to work when interest or enthusiasm wanes
- Honesty and transparency regarding less favorable aspects of the job
- A flexible mindset and a willingness to learn
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