Self-test "Medical practice coordinator with federal certificate (BP)": Is this course the right one for me?
Find out here whether the job profile "Medical practice coordinator with a federal certificate" (MPK for short) suits you and whether a part-time preparatory course is the right path for you.
What is everyday working life like as a medical practice coordinator with a federal certificate?
Medical practice coordinators with a federal certificate work mainly in medical practices, but also as group leaders in case management for health insurance companies and insurers. A medical practice coordinator has the know-how to relieve and support doctors in their daily work. This enables them to improve the quality of patient care and efficiency in the practice. The specific tasks depend on the type of training.
Medical practice coordinators in a clinical directionlook after people with chronic illnesses on behalf of and under the supervision of a doctor. They are their direct contact person and ensure that long-term patients receive appropriate medical treatment, sufficient information and motivation. MPK tasks include
- Assessment of health status including analysis of risk factors (physical, psychological and social)
- Planning measures to maintain or improve the well-being and independence of patients
- Independent monitoring of appointments, requests for checks and partial implementation of care and treatment measures (e.g. long-term glucose measurement and discussion with diabetes patients)
- Information and support for family caregivers
- Coordination with other bodies involved in a patient's care (e.g. Spitex services, social services, etc.)
Medical practice coordinators in the practice management directionare familiar with the clinical and administrative processes in a medical practice thanks to their previous training. Further training enables them to contribute to the economic success of the medical practice as a company in a responsible position. Their management level and range of tasks depend on the size of the medical practice. Their tasks include
- Organization, management and evaluation of practical work
- Human resources and accounting
- Optimization of workflows in the practice
- Safety and quality management in accordance with legal requirements
- Checking and ordering materials and medicines
- Monitoring of equipment and devices and their maintenance
- Interface to other medical facilities, insurance companies and authorities
Question 1:
Do the activities meet your expectations? Can you imagine working as a medical practice coordinator?
If you like the actual job of medical practice coordinator, you are on the right track. The next question is then what type of training is right for you to acquire the relevant skills.
Even if you don't enjoy all of the activities as a medical practice coordinator, it could still be the right job for you. In almost every job, there are also tasks that are less interesting. However, the tasks as a medical practice coordinator with a federal certificate should arouse your interest and appeal to you.
Alternatively, you can look at descriptions of similar job profiles. Is there perhaps another related further training course that suits you better? For example:
If you do not like the activities, you should find out which parts of the tasks you do not like so much. Is it the work of planning measures to maintain or improve wellbeing? Or is it the human resources and accounting as a Medical Practice Coordinator?
Depending on your answer, you could look in job advertisements to see if there are jobs with a different distribution of tasks. Or you can take inspiration from other similar jobs. If you are generally unsure about what you want to do, we can help you with ourAdvisorhelp you find your own calling.
Target group and skills: Who is the professional examination for medical practice coordinators with a federal certificate suitable for? What qualities and skills are required?
The Medical Practice Coordinator course is aimed at healthcare professionals (medical practice assistants, veterinary practice assistants, dental assistants, pharmaceutical assistants, medical secretaries and hospital secretaries, H+ medical secretaries, healthcare assistants, care specialists, nurses and other professions) who work in a medical practice.
- want to take on more responsibility as an MPK and perform more demanding tasks independently and
- apply their medical and clinical knowledge combined with business management know-how in a management function or
- want to participate independently in the care of chronically ill patients and work directly with those affected.
The following skills and characteristics are required for successful employment as a Medical Practice Coordinator:
- Interest in health issues and confidentiality
- Strong sociability and communication skills
- Empathy and balance
- High sense of responsibility
- commercial skills
- Precise working method
- Organizational talent
- quick comprehension
- Resilience and flexibility
- Leadership qualities
Question 2:
Do you belong to one of the target groups of the Medical Practice Coordinator training program?
If you belong to the target group and you have the necessary skills and qualities, then the Medical Practice Coordinator course is still an option for you. The course still seems to meet your expectations.
- If you do not belong to any of the above-mentioned groups, you cannot directly apply for the federal certificate as a medical practice coordinator. TheMedical trainingThere are numerous possibilities and perhaps offer alternative educational opportunities that may interest you even more or suit you better.
- If you do not have the necessary skills and qualities for the job description of medical practice coordinator, you will probably not be good and satisfied in such a position. Look for alternative training courses in the medical field.
- If you are still unsure about your professional development, contact experienced people such as career advisors for targeted advice or coaching:
Requirements for admission to the MPK professional examination in Medical Practice Coordination:
For admission to the final examination (federal professional examination) as a Medical Practice Coordinator, the following prerequisites are required at the start of the examination:
- Conclusion of abasic vocational trainingin the medical field (medical practice assistant EFZ, medical assistant diploma DVSA) or other equivalent training at upper secondary level or tertiary level
- X-ray authorization thorax/extremities (for the clinical direction)
- Professional experienceof at least 3 years after completion of basic vocational training in all work in the medical practice or at a comparable workplace
- Course certificate for vocational trainers
- Proof of the 6 module qualifications or certificates of equivalence (corresponding to the training content of the Medical Practice Coordinator courses)
Please note that some schools require course participants to work in a medical practice or organization or at least have access to one during the course. This has the advantage that the course material can be applied and deepened directly in practice and that additional years of professional experience can be gained during the course.
You will find out whether you meet the requirements for the professional examination for Medical Practice Coordinators at least seven months before the start of the examination with a written notification - including reasons and information on legal remedies in the event of rejection.
Question 3:
Do you have the required apprenticeship qualification and the necessary professional experience for the Medical Practice Coordinator professional examination? And do you have the confidence to complete the additional courses required?
If you meet the requirements, you can start the Medical Practice Coordinator course at the earliest possible date. You will then be admitted to the professional examination.
Have you not completed a federally recognized basic medical training course? Then find out from suitable schools whether your previous training can be recognized as equivalent. Or ask about opportunities to catch up on basic training.
Do you not have an X-ray license? This is not necessary for the MPK practice management course. However, if you would like to take the medical practice coordinator clinical direction, please ask theODAMED Associationaccording to possibilities.
You only need the required three years of professional experience at the time of the professional examination, i.e. your professional activity during and up to the end of the Medical Practice Coordinator further training and examination registration counts towards this requirement.
Have you not completed a federally recognized basic medical training course? Then find out from suitable schools whether your previous training can be recognized as equivalent, or ask about opportunities to catch up on basic training.
Do you not have an X-ray license? This is not necessary for the MPK practice management course. However, if you would like to take the medical practice coordinator clinical direction, please ask theODAMED Associationaccording to possibilities.
You only need the required three years of professional experience at the time of the professional examination, i.e. your professional activity during and up to the end of the Medical Practice Coordinator further training and examination registration counts towards this requirement.
Subject matter and content of the Medical Practice Coordinator further training course:
The subject matter of the preparatory courses for the professional examination for the Medical Practice Coordinator Certificate is based on the requirements of the sponsor of the federal examination, theOdA Vocational Training Medical Practice Assistant.
The learning content of the Medical Practice Coordinator training is divided into the following topics:
- Compulsory modules in both directions:
- Chronic Care Management (Basic Module I)
- Chronic Care Management (Basic Module II)
- Quality management in the medical practice
- Additional compulsory module Clinical Direction:
- Advice for long-term patients - Diabetes
- Compulsory additional modules Practice management direction:
- Practice management
- Personnel management
- Two compulsory elective modules for Clinical Direction from this selection:
- Advice for long-term patients - Rheumatism
- Advice for long-term patients - respiratory diseases
- Advice for long-term patients - coronary heart disease/heart failure
- Brain weakness
- Wound treatment
- Dose-intensive X-ray
- One compulsory elective module for practice managers from this selection:
- Accounting
- In-depth IT skills for the medical practice
- Reprocessing of medical devices
- Dose-intensive X-ray
Caution: Not all trainers offer both directions and all compulsory elective modules.
If you already hold the "Medical Team Leader SVMB" diploma, this will be credited towards your further training. You then only need to attend the two additional Chronic Care Management modules I and II for the medical practice coordinator practice management course. Some schools also offer special courses for medical team leaders SVMB to prepare them for the BP.
Question 4:
Are you interested in the contents of the Medical Practice Coordinator further training course and would you like to acquire knowledge in these subject areas?
Perfect, the content suits you perfectly. With the skills you have learned, you can score points on the job market and increase your salary prospects. You can now find out more about the structure and concept of the Medical Practice Coordinator further training course from the training institutes.
If you are only partially interested in the content of the MPK further training course, then the Medical Practice Coordinator course is probably not the right course for you. Then take a look at other training and further education opportunities in the field ofMedical trainingthat suit you better due to the content taught.
Obviously the tasks of a medical practice coordinator - both clinical and practice management - are not your world. Take a look at related and perhaps completely different training courses. Perhaps other topics will appeal to you spontaneously.
Costs and financing of further training in medical practice coordination:
The costs vary depending on the provider and duration of the Medical Practice Coordinator training. On average, these amounts are to be expected for the training costs:
- Course fees:between CHF 10'800.- and CHF 13'750.-
After taking the exam, you will receive around 50% of this back from the federal government on application (regardless of the result)*. - Examination fees:CHF 1,200 (as of 2023) or CHF 2,200 for both disciplines in one appointment
The examination fee is set by the body responsible for the professional examination. It is paid by the candidate after confirmation of admission to the Medical Practice Coordinator examination. - Extra costs:At some schools, the costs for enrolment fees, teaching materials, training documents, books, intensive exam training, simulation exams, school diplomas and interim degrees, for example, are not included in the course fees. Please contact the provider of your choice directly to find out what additional costs you can expect for the Medical Practice Coordinator training course.
- Additional degrees:The following intermediate qualifications offered by the SVMB (Swiss Association of Medical Vocational Schools), which are not included in the costs, can be achieved on the way to becoming an MPK with a federal certificate. After successfully completing the four administrative modules Personnel Management, Practice Management, Accounting and Quality Management, you will receive the SVMB diploma "SVMB Medical Team Leader" with a certificate of achievement. In addition to the four administrative modules, the two modules in Chronic Care Management 1 + 2 can be attended. Participants then receive the SVMB diploma "SVMB Medical Practice Coordinator" with a certificate of achievement.
*Since 1.1.2018, preparatory courses for federal professional examinations such as the Medical Practice Coordinator course have been financially supported by the federal government. Graduates of these courses can therefore be reimbursed up to 50% (max. CHF 9,500) of the course costs paid after taking the federal examination. In cases of hardship, the federal contributions are also pre-financed in exceptional cases.
Question 5:
Are you able to pre-finance between CHF 10,800 and CHF 13,750 for the Medical Practice Coordinators course and CHF 1,200 for the federal examination?
Very good! Here's a tip: If you would be able to pay the full amount for the Medical Practice Coordinator course upfront, many schools will give you a discount.
- Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, canton, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissyou will receive in ourAdvisor"How to finance your further training properly".
- Information on financial support for temporary workers through "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, is available athere.
- Information and help on budget planning and budget preparation can be foundhere.
Some schools offer aPre-financingif you register for the entire Medical Practice Coordinator training course right from the start. Pre-financing means that you do not have to pay the school the part of the training costs that you would receive back from the federal government after passing the professional examination. Instead, the federal funds are paid directly to the school after your professional examination. With these models, you only have to pay around CHF 6,000 from the outset.
You also have the option of completing modules individually and thus spreading the cost burden over a longer period of time. ThePeriod of validity of the module passesis 5 years.
Ask the schools about the actual costs for the medical practice coordinator training and the possibility of paying in installments and pre-financing. Ask your employer whether they will contribute to the costs.
Perhaps there is someone in your private circle who will support your further education project with a loan. A bank or credit institution may also support you with an educational loan. You will be able to repay some of the borrowed funds immediately after the professional examination with the federal contribution.
Some schools offer aPre-financingif you register for the entire course from the outset. Pre-financing medical practice coordinator means that you do not have to pay the school the part of the training costs that you would receive back from the federal government after passing the professional examination. Instead, the federal funds are paid directly to the school after your professional examination. With these models, you only have to pay around CHF 6,000 from the outset.
You also have the option of completing modules individually and thus spreading the cost burden over a longer period of time. ThePeriod of validity of the module passesis 5 years.
Ask the schools about the actual costs of the Medical Practice Coordinator course and the possibility of paying in installments and pre-financing. Ask your employer whether they will contribute to the costs.
Perhaps there is someone in your private circle who will support your further education project Medical Practice Coordinator with a loan. A bank or credit institution may also support you with an educational loan. You will be able to repay some of the borrowed funds immediately after the professional examination with the federal contribution.
- Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, canton, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissyou will receive in ourAdvisor"How to finance your further training properly".
- Information on financial support for temporary workers through "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, is available athere.
- Information and help on budget planning and budget preparation can be foundhere.
Duration of study, number of teaching hours and learning effort for the Medical Practice Coordinator training:
- The Medical Practice Coordinator training and continuing education course is modular in structure (i.e. some of the skills are assessed in module examinations prior to the professional examination and are only tested across modules in the final examination) and lasts 2 to 4 semesters (max. 5 years). It comprises around 370 lessons (approx. 40 to 80 lessons per module). The modules can be completed individually and, with the exception of CCM I and II, in any order.
- The teaching times vary depending on the provider of the medical practice coordination training. Classes usually take place two evenings a week or on Saturdays and each module comprises approx. 8 teaching units per week. A module course lasts around 5-9 weeks. Many providers start their module courses every three months. This means you can easily take 2 modules per semester.
- Many schools now offer a mix of face-to-face and online teaching (online, hybrid teaching, blended learning) as well as self-study.
- Thanks to the extra-occupational concept of the Medical Practice Coordinator further training course, you can apply and deepen the learning material in practice straight away. Nevertheless, you should allow sufficient time for lesson preparation and follow-up as well as for self-study. Depending on your previous knowledge, working style and learning speed, we recommend that you allow the same amount of time for the additional workload as the regular course duration.
Note: Some schools offer so-called "taster lessons", which provide an insight into the lessons and the learning atmosphere. A suitable learning environment is important on the way to successfully completing the Medical Practice Coordinator course.
Question 6:
Can you cope with the time and effort required for classroom teaching and homework for the Medical Practice Coordinators training course?
Fine! If you have even more time, look at which school you can attend several modules at the same time. This will help you achieve your medical practice coordinator training goal even faster.
You can take the modules one after the other with breaks and extend the training over a longer period of time. The module qualifications are valid for 5 years.
And if you still don't have enough time, check whether you can create space elsewhere. Perhaps someone close to you can take on certain tasks for you for the duration of your Medical Practice Coordinator training.
Degree, diploma and title Medical Practice Coordination:
The professional examination "Medical Practice Coordinator with Federal Certificate" takes place annually in German, French and Italian, provided that the minimum number of 8 candidates meet the admission requirements, otherwise every two years.
Candidates for the professional examination Medical Practice Coordinator are notified at least 4 months before the start of the examination. The invitation includes the examination program (with details of the place and time of the examination and permitted aids) as well as the list of experts and the topic and submission deadline for the written case study to be submitted before the final examination.
The Medical Practice Coordinator professional examination comprises the following four parts:
- Case study (to be submitted in writing before the examination, weighting 4)
- Description of a real situation from your own practice
- Reflect on the action cycle in a complete and networked way
- Presentation on the case study (oral, 15 min., weighting 1)
- Criteria: formal requirements, correctness, comprehensibility and persuasiveness
- Presenting a case study to experts
- Expert discussion on the case study (oral, 20 min., weighting 2)
- serves to deepen the written and presented case study
- clarifies open questions
- shows alternative courses of action
- demonstrates the ability to view the knowledge gained in an overarching context and to identify links to other aspects
- Written exam (40 min, weighting 3)
- Review of basic knowledge from compulsory modules
- Applying basic knowledge in practical situations
Diploma and title "Medical Practice Coordinator"
Graduates of the professional examination receive a federal certificate and are entitled to use the federally recognized and protected title "Medical Practice Coordinator in a clinical field with a federal certificate" or "Medical Practice Coordinator in a clinical field with a federal certificate" as well as "Medical Practice Coordinator in a practice management field with a federal certificate" or "Medical Practice Coordinator in a practice management field with a federal certificate".
- In French: "Coordinateur / Coordinatrice en médecine ambulatoire orientation clinique avec brevet fédéral", "Coordinateur / Coordinatrice en médecine ambulatoire orientation gestion avec brevet fédéral"
- In Italian: "Coordinatore / Coordinatrice in medicina ambulatoriale indirizzo clinico con attestato professionale federale", "Coordinatore / Coordinatrice in medicina ambulatoriale indirizzo gestione con attestato professionale federale"
- In English: "Clinical Specialized Medical Assistant with Federal Diploma of Professional Education and Training", "Lead Specialized Medical Assistant with Federal Diploma of Professional Education and Training" (Note: This is only a recommendation/translation and not a protected title)
Medical Practice Coordinator module qualifications:
For the successful completion of each module, you will receive a school certificate - usually with a grade. The work you have to do to complete a module and the type of examination vary:
- Chronic Care Management (Basic Module I) - Written individual examination, 90 minutes
- Chronic Care Management (Basic Module II) - Documentation with reflection of a patient education course (at least 1500 words)
- Quality management in the medical practice - Written assignment, 30 minutes - Practical/oral assignment, 30 minutes
- Counseling of long-term patients (diabetes) - Written exam, 45 minutes - Oral exam (counseling situation), 15 minutes
- Counseling of long-term patients (rheumatism) - Written exam, 45 minutes - Oral exam (counseling situation), 15 minutes
- Counseling of long-term patients (respiratory diseases) - Written exam with standardized short answer questions, 60 minutes
- Counseling of long-term patients (coronary heart disease/heart failure) - Written exam, 45 minutes - Oral exam (counseling situation), 15 minutes
- Written examination, 45 minutes - Individual oral examination, 15 minutes
- Wound treatment - written work, 60 minutes
- Personnel management - Written paper, 90 minutes
- Practice management - written exam, 120 minutes
- Accounting - Written paper, 90 minutes
- Advanced IT skills for the medical practice - Written exam, 45 minutes
- Reprocessing of medical devices - Written assignment, 90 minutes
Question 7:
Do you have the confidence to pass the module examinations and the federal professional examination?
Good, you are confident that you will successfully complete the professional examination following the Medical Practice Coordinator training. Think about where you can best ensure practice transfer. Which learning and working methods are most efficient for you?
If you are unsure, we recommend that you attend an information event on this Medical Practice Coordinator course. Ask the school management about support options. Also consider whether you would like other support, for example from learning therapists or kinesiologists, autogenic or mental training.
If you are not at all confident that you can pass the module examinations or the final professional examination for Medical Practice Coordinators, it is best to arrange a personal consultation with a school. Think about which modules you expect to have difficulties with. Explain your interest and concerns to the course leader and ask if there is any support available for you at the school.
No, the Medical Practice Coordinator course is not right for you. What a pity? - Perhaps not, because there are many other options for further training. One or the other will certainly suit you much better.
Check which other further training courses are suitable for you. Onwww.ausbildung-weiterbildung.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
Medical Practice Coordinator is probably not the right training course for you.
Are you surprised or disappointed? Perhaps take the test again and see where your ideas or possibilities deviate from the MPK career ideal. Perhaps this will point you in the direction of more suitable further training.
Then see which other further training courses interest you. Towww.ausbildung-weiterbildung.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
That's a half-hearted result: working as a medical practice coordinator doesn't seem ideal for you. Or is it perhaps the form of training that doesn't appeal to you or isn't a good organizational fit?
See which other further training courses are suitable for you. Onwww.ausbildung-weiterbildung.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
Further training to become a medical practice coordinator does not seem ideal for you, either in a clinical or practice management capacity.
If you are unsure, it is best to attend the providers' information events. There you will learn a lot more about further education and the respective directions and can discuss your personal options and questions directly with the specialist representatives present.
Directly to the schools:
The medical practice coordinator training and the professional examination seem to suit you.
As a next step, we recommend that you attend an information event at suitable schools and obtain details of the exact costs and dates.
Directly to the schools:
The Medical Practice Coordinator further training up to the professional examination seems to be made for you!
The best thing to do now is to attend information events at the schools you are interested in and find out everything about the specific locations and content, costs and dates.
Directly to the schools:
Linda, deine Weiterbildungsfinderin