How To Become An Associate Medical Director: What It Is and Career Path - Zippia (2024)

Key steps to become an associate medical director

1. Explore associate medical director education requirements

   The educational requirements for an associate medical director are a combination of a bachelor's degree and a medical degree. According to the data provided, a bachelor's degree is held by 46.43% of associate medical directors, while a medical degree such as a Doctorate is held by 7.14%.

   When it comes to specific majors, associate medical directors often study Business, Medicine, Health Care Administration, Nursing, or Biology. The top schools for these programs include the University of Pennsylvania, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, Stanford University, University of Southern California, and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

   Most common associate medical director degrees

   Bachelor's

   37.3

   %

   Associate

   15.4

   %

   Doctorate

   13.4

   %

2. Start to develop specific associate medical director skills

   Associate medical directors need a variety of skills. They must prepare for FDA audits, develop policies for continuing medical education, and expand hospital services. They also need experience working in different settings like inpatient, outpatient, and hospice care. They must evaluate claims, develop vendor proposals, and present difficult cases to the medical director. Additionally, they need to be able to work with medical records, assign codes for provider-assigned coding, and provide financial and operational management. They also need to champion transition to new providers, complete medical authorization request forms, and design phase IV trials.

   Skills	Percentages
   Patients	18.55%
   PET	12.29%
   Appeals	11.24%
   Customer Service	5.15%
   Medical Oncology	5.01%

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3. Complete relevant associate medical director training and internships

   Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New associate medical directors learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an associate medical director based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real associate medical director resumes.

4. Gain additional associate medical director certifications

   Associate medical director certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific associate medical director certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

   The most common certifications for associate medical directors include Medical Assistant and Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS).

   More About Certifications

5. Research associate medical director duties and responsibilities

   An associate medical director's responsibilities are vast and varied. They prepare for FDA audits and inspections, develop policies and procedures for educational programs, and evaluate claims for medical necessity. They also manage medical information, oversee medical procedures, and ensure regulatory compliance.

   • Lead successful JCAHO accreditation efforts, including audit preparation and follow up.
   • Establish office protocols and aggressively manage patient A/R to maximize reimbursem*nts.
   • Manage payroll, order supplies, review and update standard operating procedures and organizational polices.
   • Perform first aid and CPR as needed.

6. Apply for associate medical director jobs

   Now it's time to start searching for an associate medical director job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

   1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
   2. Consult your professional network
   3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
   4. Watch out for job scams

How do associate medical directors rate their job?

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.