Medical Office Practice Certificate

Degree: Certificate
HEGIS Code: 5214
Curriculum Code: 0980
Campus Location: North
Health Sciences Division

• Program Description
• Admission Requirements
• Department Notes
• Program Competencies
• Curriculum

Program Description

The Medical Office Practice certificate program, by offering training in either clinical or administrative aspects of office procedure, prepares the students for positions in physicians’ private offices or group practices, hospital offices, medical records services, clinics, public health facilities, research and other health related offices.

This program has been designed to prepare graduates for immediate employment in a medical facility. Further, the program has been structured to provide career mobility and to facilitate further study. Courses from the medical office practice program may be used to satisfy requirements in the Medical Office Assistant associate degree program if the student decides to pursue an associate in applied science degree.

A core program, required of all students, provides the basic scientific fundamentals applicable to the medical profession. These courses include keyboarding, medical law and ethics for health care professionals, medical terminology, survey of anatomy/ physiology, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid. Students develop additional skills by completing either the clinical laboratory option or the administrative option.

Clinical Option:
The clinical option provides additional instruction in medical microbiology, pharmacology, clinical office assisting procedures and clinical diagnostic procedures. Medical assistants may advance to other occupations through experience or additional training.

Administrative Option:
Choosing the administrative option would provide course work in medical administrative procedures, word processing, spreadsheet, database, slide presentation and computerized office automation. Students may elect to concentrate on specific areas such as medical administrative procedures, medical transcription, or medical coding and reimbursement. With advisement, the student will select courses supporting achievement of these special skills.

Upon successful completion of all required coursework, Medical Office Practice students may elect to complete an internship in a medical office setting. Students will not receive pay for the internship experience.

Many graduates assume positions in medical offices and other health care facilities. Administrative medical office practice graduates may advance to office manager, or qualify for a variety of administrative support occupations. Clinical medical office practice graduates may pursue additional education to become nurses or other health care workers. Other graduates may elect to continue their education and pursue the Associate in Applied Science degree in the Medical Office Assistant program.

Admission Requirements

Applicants need a high school diploma or the equivalent. Recommended high school courses include mathematics, health, biology, typing, bookkeeping, computers and office skills. Applicants must have attained at least an 80 percent average in high school subjects. Volunteer experience in the health care field also is helpful.

Progression

• All developmental, pre-requisites, co-requisites and MA courses may be repeated only once if a grade below “C” or “W” (Withdrawal) is received. MA courses are integrated and sequenced in a specific manner to enable students to attain program competencies. All required courses must be passed each semester in order to advance to the following semester.
• Any two failures (grade below a “C”) or withdrawal (W) in any of the required MA courses will result in dismissal from the Medical Office Assisting Program.
• Because of the critical nature of the profession, deviations from professional conduct may adversely affect the patient’s well being. Therefore, the department reserves the right to immediately remove the student from didactic, clinical procedures/ laboratory and office externship work and/or dismiss that student from the program if the department determines that the student has acted in an unprofessional manner or if the student is unable to provide safe office practices.

Graduation Requirements

• Students must complete all MA courses within a two year limit
• For graduation, students must have an overall QPA of 2.0 and a minimum grade of “C” in MA and OF courses

Department Notes

• Lab coats must be worn and all safety protocol followed in all clinical office courses
• Students are responsible for providing transportation to off-campus office internship sites utilized for medical office training
• Students must carry student liability insurance

Health Science Report Form:
A pre-admission physical examination including an immunization report is required to be submitted, for any student in the Health Sciences Division, to ensure that matriculated students are in good physical and mental health and capable of completing the program requirements as well as providing immunization records. The immunization report strongly recommends that students entering the MOP program receive immunization against Hepatitis B. Students need to be tested annually for TB and should have a tetanus vaccination within the last 10 years. MOP students must be compliant with the college immunization requirements as well. The department requires that this specific health information be on file before students begin in core medical office coursework. The immunization record is required to be current in order for the student to participate in medical office internship placement. The college reserves the right to deny progression in the MOA program when students have incomplete or unacceptable physical exam reports.

Program Competencies

Upon graduation with a certificate in Medical Office Practice—Clinical Option, the graduate will be able to:

• Handle medical emergencies
• Assist physician with patient procedures
• Participate in patient education
• Demonstrate proper sterilization/disinfection techniques
• Perform clinical duties
• Maintain an inventory of medical supplies

Upon graduation with a certificate in Medical Office Practice—Administrative Option, the graduate will be able to:

Medical Transcription:

• Produce transcribed record of voice recording of dictated reports and procedures of a medical nature into the computer.

Medical Billing/Coding/Reimbursement:

• Maintain patient records and files
• Accurately complete insurance forms and reports
• Maintain records of accounts receivable/payable
• Perform proficiently in a computerized office

Secretarial:

• Demonstrate good telephone techniques and skills
• Act as receptionist and public relations liaison
• Handle incoming and outgoing correspondence
• Schedule appointments, meetings, surgeries and hospital admissions
• Maintain patient records and files
• Perform administrative duties
• Maintain an inventory of office supplies

Curriculum

Total Degree Credits: 36.0 Clinical Option
                                    31.0 Administrative Option