Administrative Assistant Jobs

Administrative assistants are office professionals charged with coordinating and overseeing the daily administrative tasks of a business. Industries of all kinds are hire administrative assistants to keep their offices running efficiently and on-schedule, which makes the profession uniquely flexible for job searchers. Based on their background, education and interest, administrative assistants can find employment in a number of different work places, ranging from hospitals to law firms and schools. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the profession is expected to grow faster than average over the next decade, especially in the health care field.

Job Description

The most basic duty of an administrative assistant is to oversee the running of an office. Core tasks are collecting and disseminating information, scheduling meetings, answering phones. Clerical duties such as typing, dictation, and mail supervision are also fulfilled by administrative assistants. The advent of technology in the office has somewhat altered the basic duties of an administrative assistant by making it easier for administrative assistants to perform tasks once reserved for management such as generating spreadsheets, creating reports, working with vendors, ordering and inspecting equipment, and speaking with directly with clients.

The specific duties of an administrative assistant depends greatly on their place of employment and direct supervisor. A medical administrative assistant will perform duties directly related to the needs of a physicians’ office or hospital. Job-specific tasks include updating patient records, filling out insurance forms, and coordinating billing. Legal administrative assistants, like medical administrative assistants, perform duties dirtily related to the legal industry. Duties include drafting memos, writing motions, subpoenas, and other technical documents. Executive administrative assistants report directly to a high-level executive and have greater responsibilities, such as preparing statistical reports. These occupations require special training and a solid background in their respective fields in order to perform.

Training

The training necessary to launch a career as an administrative assistant depends entirely on the capacity in which you wish to work.

In the past it was possible to gain employment as an administrative assistant with only basic office skills. It is still possible to gain an entry-level secretarial position with no prior experience, however, with the widespread use of technology in the office, modern employers prefer to hire administrative assistants who possess solid computer skills along with general administrative knowledge. It is possible to complete a 1 or 2 year program in a vocational school that will prepare you for a career as an administrative assistant. Common courses are typing, bookkeeping, project management, computer technology, and other subjects commonly utilized by administrative assistants.

Medical and legal administrative assistants must undergo specialized training related to their field. Central courses cover medical and legal terminology, ethics, and procedures. Executive administrative assistants usually have a 4-year degree, as they work closely with high level executives and CEOs.

In general, employers look for organized individuals with good communication skills (such as typing and grammar). good judgement, initiative, and strong interpersonal skills. Successful administrative assistants have a versatile skill set that can translate into several work settings.

Employment

Employment prospects are universally positive for administrative assistants. Job openings are projected to increase by 11% over the next 10 years, with demand for medical administrative assistants growing the fastest. Developing industries such as construction and educational services will also contribute to job growth. Administrative assistants at the top of their field have earning potential of $50,000 or more.
 
 

Top Administrative Assistant Schools

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  Career Point College Online

  Imagine an exciting new career in the medical, business, legal or computer fields. Career Point College is a great place to learn all of the skills you will need to succeed in these industries and get the future you want! In as few as eight months for a diploma, 15 months for an Associate’s, and 18 months for a Bachelor’s (with an Associate’s first), you could be prepared to enter the job marketplace. Whether it is because of our accelerated programs, hands-on training, personal attention, flexible schedules, lifetime placement assistance or lifetime refresher training, you will see Career Point College is the right school for you!

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  Potomac College

  Potomac College offers students the opportunity to take advantage of all of the same courses, programs, and specializations online that are offered at either of their two physical campuses. This allows students the convenience of flexibility and makes it an ideal institution for fulltime working adults, military persons, or anyone with a busy, demanding schedule seeking to pursue a college degree. In fact, many of our students residing in a close proximity to either our Washington, DC or Herndon, VA campuses have chosen to take both online and on-campus courses for an accommodating blended program.

  Imagine being able to pursue your degree at a pace and time that works with your busy schedule. Potomac College offers practical and tailored curricula to a diverse community of working adults and students. It is our goal to make education obtainable regardless of a student’s schedule and finances. Our academic advisors are trained to assess your educational needs and tailor a curriculum that matches your career goals and expected time of completion.

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  Harrison College

  Harrison College is a nationally accredited college with more than 75,000 graduates. We offer a unique learning environment for students who want to pursue a career-focused, quality education and complete their degree in a student-centered atmosphere. In order to achieve your goals, we believe it’s important for us to take the time to get to know you. In fact, our students are often surprised at the one-on-one attention they receive here as compared to other institutions. You’ll experience it throughout every stage of your Harrison experience, from our Admissions Representatives to our Career Services staff and financial aid analysts to our course instructors. Each of us believes it is our goal to help you achieve yours.

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  TCI - Technical Career Institute

  TCI College is a New York City based technical school that offers continuing technical education to students who want on-site specialized training in competitive fields. Technical Career Institutes provides students with technical training such as web site design, health information technology, electronic engineering technology, and heating ventilation and air conditioning. TCI also offers career placement assistance upon graduation. Visit TCI College in New York City located in lower Manhattan.

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  Career Point College

  Imagine an exciting new career in the medical, business, legal or computer fields. Career Point College is a great place to learn all of the skills you will need to succeed in these industries and get the future you want! In as little as 8-11 months for a Diploma or 18 months for an Associate’s Degree, you can graduate and join the workforce. Whether it is because of our accelerated programs, hands-on training, personal attention, flexible schedules, on-site daycare, lifetime placement assistance or lifetime refresher training, you will see Career Point College is the right school for you!

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  ASA The College For Excellence

  ASA The College For Excellence specializes in offering a superior value in higher education, with programs that balance traditional academic preparation with professional training and hands-on experience. 80% of Graduating Students get into the career field of their choice and many go on to advanced degrees!

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  Milan Institute

  We believe that each student at Milan Institute holds the key to his or her own success. Our staff and instructors strive to help each student develop the professionalism that will open a world of creativity and knowledge. Milan Institute offers a college atmosphere conducive to learning and individual growth. Excellent training and job placement assistance enable our students to become enterprising professionals.

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  Salter College

  Salter College, a private two-year college, offers an enriching balance of liberal arts and professional career education. We are dedicated to meeting the needs of our students through quality education and support services while fostering an environment that inspires academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, social responsibility, and an interest in life-long learning and continued higher education.

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  West Virginia Junior College

  Our programs are designed for you to be job-ready in months with career-focused, hands-on training in a friendly, small-school environment where you receive individual attention.

  As a WVJC student, you will have access to modern classrooms and laboratory equipment, individualized attention in a small class setting, and job placement assistance.

  Along with academic credentials and certifications, our faculty brings industry knowledge to the classroom, helping students understand both theory and real-world experiences.

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  Laurus College

  Our mission is to provide every student with a quality education and a quality experience that prepares you for success in the global marketplace of the modern world. To do this we provide focused instruction and personalized caring to every student. Our emphasis on career opportunities in all of our program offerings helps open up avenues of opportunity that previously may have gone unrealized.