Degree: Certificate
HEGIS Code: 5214
Curriculum Code: 0980
Campus Location: North
Health Sciences Division
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.
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.
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•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, the graduate will be able to:
- perform administrative duties; such as handling incoming and outgoing correspondence, demonstrating good telephone techniques, acting as a receptionist and public relations liaison;
- schedule appointments, meetings, surgeries and hospital admissions, and maintain records of Accounts Receivable/Payable;
- maintain an inventory of medical and office supplies;
- demonstrate behavior consistent with acceptable professional conduct standards while performing administrative duties; such as appearance, quality of work, quantity of work, human relation skills, leadership skills, computer skills, and written and verbal communications skills; and
- perform skills for choking, as well as, simple airway maneuvers, CPR/defibrillation, bleeding control, bandaging, and splinting.
Curriculum
Total Degree Credits: 28.0 Administrative Option
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