Medical Administrative Assistants manage front-office operations in healthcare settings. They help clinics run smoothly and make sure patients have a good experience.

They are sometimes called medical office assistants or medical receptionists and are employed in doctors’ offices, hospitals, urgent care centers, and outpatient facilities throughout Arkansas.

Where Medical Administrative Assistants Work in Arkansas

In Arkansas, Medical Administrative Assistants find employment in various settings, including:

• Hospitals and Medical Centers: Facilities run by Baptist Health, Arkansas Children's Hospital, and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) offer roles for administrative assistants to support clinical operations.
• Specialty Clinics and Outpatient Facilities: Clinics focusing on areas such as cardiology, oncology, and orthopedics often require administrative support to manage specialized patient care services.
• Private Practices and Group Practices: Smaller medical offices rely on administrative assistants to handle front-desk responsibilities and ensure efficient patient flow.
• Healthcare Networks and Systems: Large healthcare systems in Arkansas employ administrative assistants across multiple departments and locations, providing opportunities for career growth and specialization.

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These roles are distributed throughout the state, with concentrations in urban areas like the Memphis area and Little Rock, reflecting the demand for skilled administrative professionals in diverse healthcare environments.

Your daily tasks may vary depending on where you work, but common responsibilities include:

• Scheduling appointments. Managing calendars, confirming visits, and reducing no-shows.
• Maintaining patient records. Keeping charts organized and updated for healthcare providers.
• Answering phones. Helping patients with questions, messages, and appointments.
• Helping in the waiting room. Guiding patient flow and managing check-in.
• Communicating with patients. Sharing billing, scheduling, and general information.
• Handling billing and insurance. Verifying coverage and helping patients understand their benefits.
• Stocking and organizing. Making sure supplies and forms are ready for each day.
• Assisting with forms. Helping patients fill out paperwork for treatment or insurance.

Arkansas does not require certification for Medical Administrative Assistants. However, obtaining the CMAA credential is highly recommended. 

Certification demonstrates that you have the knowledge and skills needed, which makes you a more competitive job applicant and helps you earn a higher starting salary.

According to NHA, 84% of employers require or encourage certification for Medical Administrative Assistants.

To be eligible for the CMAA exam, you must:

• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Have completed a Medical Administrative Assistant training or education program, like Stepful’s, within the last 5 years

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or

• Have 1 year of supervised work experience in the Medical Administrative Assistant field within the last 3 years, or 2 years of supervised work experience in the Medical Administrative Assistant field within the last 5 years.