Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino today announced that the Department of Intergovernmental Affairs has been awarded a grant from the New York State Department of Labor to train unemployed workers in Medical Office Administration or Medical Billing Specialist programs at Hunter Business School in Levittown. Upon program completion, Northwell Health and several other employers will interview trainees for entry-level clerical positions that offer opportunities for advancement and career pathways.
Supervisor Saladino stated, “The Town of Oyster Bay and the Workforce Development Board are committed to bolstering local employment and connecting trained unemployed workers with employers. This new initiative will help unemployed workers acquire skills in the high demand fields of Medical Office Administration and Medical Billing. I thank Hunter Business School for working with us to develop a program that helps put unemployed residents back to work.”
The 600-hour Medical Office Administration program offers a blend of classroom and hands-on training. Students learn computer data entry of patient information, patient files, filing systems and records, and billing and coding. They also gain expertise in computerized accounting using QuickBooks. In addition to courses in management and computer applications, students learn anatomy and physiology, health care administration, electronic medical records, insurance theory, and insurance claims management. Participants are trained in how to navigate Medicare, how to respond to medical emergencies, and in understanding healthcare law (e.g., Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, Occupational Safety and Health Act).
The Medical Billing Specialist program is a 180-hour program that prepares students to obtain entry-level employment in medical billing and coding in hospitals, medical insurance companies, and physicians’ offices. Students learn accounts receivable, insurance billing, patient statements, superbills, appointment scheduling, procedure history, posting payments, diagnosis history, hospital rounds record-keeping, and referring doctor information.
Program graduates typically obtain entry-level employment as medical office specialists, medical file coordinators, medical billing specialists, and patient coordinators in hospitals, clinics, or physicians’ offices.
This program is coordinated by the Workforce Development Board (WDB). The Town of Oyster Bay, Town of North Hempstead and City of Glen Cove are proud members of the WDB. For more information on the program or WDB, please contact the Massapequa Career Center at (516) 797-4560 and business@oysterbay-ny.gov.