This certificate program prepares students for employment as a receptionist in a physician’s office, outpatient clinic, or other medical facility. Students receive training in computer applications, appointment scheduling, telephone etiquette, communication and professionalism, medical record preparation, medical terminology, business correspondence, insurance policies and claims completion, and first aid and CPR.

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Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Receive, communicate with, and support patients and staff.

• Use computer applications to create documents and perform medical record and billing activities.

• Apply the principles of health care ethics and professional conduct with patients, staff, and the community.

• Apply the principles of procedural coding and billing to insurance claims and other financial documents.

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Delivery Method:

This program is delivered in a blended format. The blended format requires that students complete some required classes/modules online synchronously via eleconferencing, asynchronously via the school’s Learning Management System, and in person at school laboratories on campus. Externship must be completed in person at affiliated sites.

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Course Schedule

The program consists of a total of 600 clock hours, organized into six (6) modules. Modules are offered sequentially and may be completed within an approximate 16-week period.

New students may begin the program at the start of any module currently in session. All instructional modules must be completed successfully to meet graduation requirements.

Upon successful completion of coursework, students are scheduled for a full-time externship (Capstone Course). The externship is conducted over 4.5 weeks, consisting of 40 hours per week of supervised clinical or practical training.

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Instructional Schedule

• Program Length: 16 weeks of instruction plus 4.5 weeks of externship

• Total Program Hours: 600

• Instructional Hours: 7 hours per day, 5 days per week

• Modality and Schedule:

  • Monday,   - On-Ground Instruction

  • Thursday -Zoom

  • Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: Online (Asynchronous)

    Externship 4.5 weeks

 

​Program Outline

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Module 1    Introduction to Health Care                                                              70

Module 2    Medical Therminology, Anatomy and Physiology                             70   

Module 3    Computer Applications in the Health Care Setting                           140

Module 4    Administrative Procedures                                                                70

Module 5    Electronic Health Record                                                                  35

Module 6    Medical Insurance Billing                                                                  35

Module 7    Externship  or  Capstone (100% didactic)                                        180

​Capstone Procedure for Medical Receptionist. Under specific circumstances a student in this program may apply to complete the online capstone course in lieu of the physical externship course.

 

Module 1

Introduction to Health Care 
An overview of the evolution of medicine and health care delivery. Development and organization of health care professions, including health information management and medical assisting. Emphasis on inpatient, outpatient, and physician office record content; numbering and filing systems; and electronic health record adoption.

Medical law and ethics
Graduates will be able to:
a. Follow documentation guidelines
b. Institute federal and state guidelines when:
i. Releasing medical records or information
ii. Entering orders in and utilizing electronic health records
c. Follow established policies when initiating or terminating medical treatment
d. Distinguish between employer and personal liability coverage
e. Perform risk management procedures
f. Comply with federal, state, and local health laws and regulations as they relate to
healthcare settings
i. Define the scope of practice for the medical assistant per state requirements
ii. Describe what procedures can and cannot be delegated to the medical assistant and
by whom orders can be given
iii. Comply with meaningful use regulations
iv. Comply with HIPAA guidelines, the ADA Amendments Act, and the Health Information
Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act

​Human relations
Graduates will be able to:
a. Respond appropriately to patients with abnormal behavior patterns
b. Provide support for terminally ill patients
i. Communicate effectively with empathy
ii. Identify the stages of grief
iii. List organizations and support groups that assist patients and family members
c. Assist patient in navigating issues and concerns (i.e., insurance policy information,
medical bills, and physician/ provider orders)
d. Define the developmental stages of life and their appropriate care
e. Analyze the effect of hereditary and environmental influences on behavior
f. Demonstrate an understanding of the core competencies for an inter-professional
collaborative practice (i.e., values/ethics, roles/responsibilities, interprofessional
communication, teamwork)
g. Partner with health care teams to attain optimal patient outcomes
h. Display effective interpersonal skills with patients and caregivers
i. Demonstrate an understanding of cultural diversity.

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Module 2

Anatomy and Physiology
Graduates will be able to:
a. List all body systems and their structures and functions
b. Describe common diseases and disorders as they apply to each system
c. Identify diagnostic and therapeutic modalities as they relate to each body system
d. Provide patient education by identifying diet and nutrition requirements

Medical Terminology
Graduates will be able to:
a. Define and apply the entire basic structure of medical terminology and accurately identify
the correct context (i.e., root, prefix, suffix, combinations, spelling and definitions)
b. Apply medical terminology for each specialty
c. Define and use medical abbreviations when appropriate and acceptable

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Module 3

Computer Applications in the Health Care Setting 

An introduction to the various types of computer systems and their use in health care. Instruction will include word processing, spreadsheets, presentation materials, databases, the Internet, and the Health Information Exchange. Importance of data accuracy, consistency, completeness, letter and memo presentation, and data security are emphasized.

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Module 4

Administrative Procedures

Instruction in the U.S. health care environment; medicolegal and ethical responsibilities; the art of communication; telephone, reception, appointment scheduling, medical record management techniques; written correspondence; processing mail and telecommunications; office managerial responsibilities, seeking employment, and future health care trends.

 

Module 5
Electronic Health Record

Structural components of the interactive electronic health record (EHR) and how it supports communication and continuity of care. Perspective on how the EHR impacts work and workflow. Practical hands-on experience utilizing an educational version of an EHR to manage patient visit information, such as examination/assessment notes and treatment plans

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Module 6

Medical Insurance Billing

A comprehensive and intensive study of the financial activities of medical insurance billing. The course reviews medical terminology as it relates to insurance claims, utilizes procedure and diagnostic coding, and provides practice in completing various insurance claim forms to include commercial, Medicare, Medicaid, worker's compensation, and disability insurance, and managed care claims.

 

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Module 7

This course provides the student with the opportunity to continue learning through demonstration and application of transferred knowledge to the clinical setting. The student will report to their preceptor that is assigned by the College medical assistant externship coordinator. Students will learn under the direct supervision of the clinical site preceptor(s) and the guidance of a medical assistant instructor.

OR

​Capstone
The capstone course focuses on learning opportunities to integrate and apply both administrative
and clinical knowledge, theory and understanding from previous course work in the medical
assistant program. The learning experiences in this course result in a consolidation of a student’s
educational experience and emphasis will be placed on the application of knowledge and skills
acquired during the program. Virtual learning and web related activities will occur for front office,
back office competencies, critical thinking skills and teamwork skills expected of a medical
assistant. Study and test taking techniques will be reviewed. Students demonstrate the
achievement of program competencies through online experiences culminating in a
comprehensive course project. Successful completion of either this Capstone course or the
Externship course is required for graduation.
This course is offered 100% on online and divided into units through the learning management
system. To earn a grade in this course, students are required to complete all of the
assigned course work within each unit by the published deadlines. Students will log in to their
course several times per week to submit critical thinking assignments and participate in
discussion forums. The weekly online discussions help the learner provide an opportunity to
interact and share with other students. Learners will design a public service announcement or
brochure for patient education as a primary deliverable of this course.