Business Information Technology

Business Information Technology

The Occupations

Administrative Professionals, Administrative Aides, and Administrative Specialists

Administrative Assistants and Senior Administrative Assistants

Executive Assistants and Senior Executive Assistants

Accounting Assistants, Accounting Specialists and Auditing Specialists

Specialized Administrative Professionals – Medical

Medical Records & Health Information Technicians and Certified Medical Coders

Office/Facilities Coordinators and Administrators

About the Occupations

Today’s businesses are high-tech and operate in a global environment, and administrative professionals and assistants will have the opportunity to interact with customers and associates from all over the world via e-mail, web-conferencing, and even face-to-face meetings.

Business information technology professionals are found in almost every organization. Being an administrative professional requires a wide variety of skills including project management, computer applications, organization, scheduling, communications, research, filing and electronic recordkeeping, customer service, and event planning. These professionals are moving into areas such as training, supervision, desktop publishing, information management and research, reviewing and evaluating technology equipment, meeting/conference and travel planning, negotiating with clients and vendors. They are becoming members of the management team and assuming roles once reserved for managerial and professional staff members. Many opportunities await those professionals who master technology, use their interpersonal and communication skills effectively, possess the ability to track and organize and be creative in solving problems, and show a willingness to learn, grow, and accept new challenges.

Executive assistants and senior administrative assistants provide high-level support by managing software training and orientation for new staff, conducting online research, booking travel and securing needed information on the Internet, planning meetings to include negotiating hotel contracts, scheduling, catering, and preparing for cyber- and video-conferencing, using desktop publishing to produce brochures, fliers, annual reports, Web design and postings, preparing statistical reports, handling information requests, and negotiating with clients and vendors. Those who broaden their knowledge of a company’s operations and enhance their skills are finding greater advancement potential.

Other business information employees perform highly specialized work, which utilizes specific knowledge of terminology and procedures. Medical administrative professionals schedule appointments, bill patients, compile and record medical charts and reports. Accounting assistants and auditing specialists work with spreadsheet software and compute, classify, and record numerical data to keep financial records complete.

Medical coders are skilled in classifying medical data and utilizing computer software to assign codes to the reports in a patient’s chart to help facilitate reimbursement of claims.

Wireless tools will give employees greater flexibility to work outside the office and to perform their jobs from virtually anywhere. The rapid spread of new technology has increased the demand for business professionals who are adaptable and versatile to changes in the landscape of industry. As technology continues to advance, retraining and continuing education will be an essential part of jobs in business. Flexibility and adaptability will be sought after attributes, as will interpersonal skills to help anticipate needs, respond to concerns, and provide that “human touch” that computers lack.

Work Environment

Employers:

Business, industry, and government agencies

Colleges, universities, professional schools, and public schools

Hospitals, clinics, physician offices, transcription service companies

Insurance companies, home health care agencies, or in their homes as virtual assistants

Banks, insurance and real estate companies

Typical Schedule:

Work customarily during weekdays

35-40 hour work week

May telecommute or have a flexible working arrangement

Tools and Equipment:

Computers (hardware and software) Automated office equipment

Forms, budgets, reports, records, and schedules Correspondence, invoices, catalogs, and brochures Web and virtual conferencing

Worker Portrait

Skills and Aptitudes:

Skilled in the latest office trends, culture, and technology

Highly productive and makes efficient use of technology

Excellent oral and written communication skills

Flexible, shows initiative and has the ability to work and make decisions independently

Displays professionalism, integrity, and honesty

Works well under pressure and consistently meets deadlines

Listens effectively and uses good judgment, discretion, and common sense

Dependable, organized and responsible

Patient, systematic, neat, and accurate

Thinks critically, uses sound reasoning, and makes ethical decisions

Strong interpersonal skill, a team player, respects diversity

Adapts to the changing workforce

Interests:

Likes to work with and meet people

Enjoys keeping things organized and running smoothly

Interested in new technology and a variety of work settings

Enjoys lifelong learning

Career Outlook

Sources of occupational information include the Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition, medical Records and Health Information Technicians, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm (visited march 01, 2016).

Degree Plans

Business Information Technology – A.A.S.

Administrative Professional I Certificate

Administrative Professional II Certificate

Administrative Specialist for MSSLC Workers Certificate

Medical Front Office Professional Certificate

Advanced Medical Front Office Professional

Marketable Skills Certificate