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 Certificate Program may be used to satisfy requirements in the Medical Office Assistant 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 Keyboarding, Medical Law and Ethics for Health Care Professionals, Medical Terminology, Survey of Anatomy/ Physiology, Basic Emergency Health Care. Students develop additional skills by completing either the clinical 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 externship in a medical office setting. Students will not receive pay for the externship 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

Admission criteria includes:

• high school degree or GED;
• 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 placement test result at the English 110 level and Math 013*;  
• a minimum college GPA of 2.0 within the last 5 years;
• completion of all required developmental English courses;
• completion of developmental Math 006*; and 
• completion of Biology 107 achieving a grade of “C” within the last 5 years;

*(clinical option only)

Progression

The student must maintain a minimum grade of “C” in all Medical Assisting (MA) courses. The student must receive a passing grade in all other coursework (BI, EG, OF, MR, MT*). 

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; a failing grade of “F” in any of the other courses) 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.

MA 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.

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

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
• demonstrate skill in basic laboratory techniques
• use computer skills in performing administrative and clinical duties
• 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 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.

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: 36.0 Clinical Option
                                    30.0 - 31.0 Administrative Option