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 offers training in the administrative aspects of office practices. The administrative certificate prepares the students for positions in physicians’ private offices or group practices, hospital offices, medical records services, clinics, public health facilities, and other health related offices. If a student is interested in pursuing a nursing degree, training in the clinical aspects of office practices may be desired. Furthermore, the program has been structured to provide career mobility and to facilitate further study. Courses from the Medical Office Practice Certificate Program may be used to satisfy requirements in the Medical Assisting Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) 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 Medical Documentation, Medical Law and Ethics for Health Care Professionals, Medical Terminology, Survey of Anatomy/ Physiology, and Basic Emergency Health Care. Students develop additional skills by completing coursework in either the administrative or the clinical option.

Administrative Option

Choosing the administrative option allows for additional coursework in medical administrative procedures, medical transcription and medical coding and billing. Upon successful completion of all required coursework, Medical Office Practice students may elect to complete an 80 hour administrative practicum experience in a medical office setting. Students will not receive pay for the practicum experience. If a student is not in compliance with a requirement of the site, it is not the department’s responsibility to re-assign the student. Administrative Medical Office Practice graduates may continue their education and pursue the Associate in Applied Science degree in the Medical Assisting Program. Graduates assume positions in medical offices, other health care facilities and a variety of administrative support occupations.

Clinical Option

Choosing the clinical option allows for additional coursework in medical microbiology, math of dosage, pharmacology, and clinical office laboratory and diagnostic procedures. Clinical Medical Office Practice graduates may continue their education and pursue the Associate in Applied Science degree in the Medical Assisting Program. Graduates may also pursue additional education to become nurses or other health care workers.

 

Admission Requirements

Admission criteria includes:

• high school degree or HSE (High School Equivalency);
• overall high school average of 80% within the last five years;
• an 80% final grade in high school general biology or BI 107 achieving a grade of “C” within the last 5 years;
• a minimum college GPA of 2.0 within the last 5 years;
• completion of all required developmental English courses;
• completion of developmental Math courses

Progression

The student must maintain a minimum grade of “C” in all Medical Assisting (MA) courses and a minimum grade of “C-” in all other required coursework.

All courses may only be repeated only once if minimal grades are not attained or if the student has withdrawn (W) from the course.

A second failure in a repeated course (a grade below a “C” in MA courses or below a “C-” in all other required coursework ) and/or a second withdrawal (W) from that course will result in dismissal from the Medical Office Practice Certificate 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, laboratory and clinical course 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 laboratory practices.

Note: A felony conviction may impede a student from being eligible for an elective practicum placement. 

Medical Office Practice courses are integrated and sequenced in a specific manner to enable students to attain program competencies.

Graduation Requirements

• Students must complete all MA courses within a two year limit.
• For graduation, students must have an overall GPA of 2.0 and a minimum grade of “C” in MA courses and a minimum grade of “C-” in all other required coursework.

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 practicum sites utilized for medical office training.
• Student accident insurance is available and highly recommended for part-time students.

• •Students who have previously taken a medical terminology course at another institution or who have had experience working in the medical field, may elect to schedule a proficiency test to obtain credit for Medical Terminology I (MA 115) and/or Medical Terminology II (MA 125).  Upon successful passing of the Medical Terminology I (MA 115) proficiency test, the student may elect to take the Medical Terminology II (MA 125) proficiency test. Any interested student should call the department secretary at 716-851-1554 to schedule an appointment to take the test.  Note: Students MUST take the proficiency tests PRIOR to attending the respective courses.

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 disinfection techniques;
• perform a variety of diagnostic and laboratory tests
• maintain an inventory of medical supplies;
• use computer skills in performing administrative duties or reporting clinical results; and
• demonstrate behavior consistent with acceptable professional conduct standards, such as appearance, quality of work, quantity of work, human relation skills, leadership skills, written and verbal communications skills.

Upon graduation with a certificate in Medical Office Practice-Administrative Option, the graduate will be adept at the following:

Medical Documentaion

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.

Administrative

• 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: 30.0 Clinical Option
                                     28.0 Administrative Option