Office Professions
Program Description
The Office Professions Department provides two options for students seeking employment in a general or a medical office position. The Office Professions Certificate focuses on skills & knowledge needed for entry-level office employment including records management and filing, business math and calculator skills, word processing, database and spreadsheet applications, customer service skills, business writing skills, and general workplace competencies necessary for office employment.
The Medical Office Clerk Certificate includes additional courses to the Office Professions Certificate addressing medical terminology, medical legal issues, coding and billing, and electronic medical records in health care facilities. Both certificates require a 50-hour practicum where students gain real world experience in a local office or medical facility.
Students entering the certificate program(s) prepared to take the required courses can complete both certificates in one year providing they take (and successfully pass) the required courses each quarter. Upon completion of the OP or MOCC Certificate, students wanting to transition into the Business Tech AAS (2-year) degree would have a number of the required courses completed.
In addition to the office and medical office courses, students take general education courses as required by certificate programs at Salish Kootenai College.
Career Opportunities
Students who complete the Office Professions Certificate will be prepared for employment in entry-level general office positions which are expected to increase in number both in Montana and nationally.
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Students will manage records in an organization including the ability to file records alphabetically, numerically, geographically, and by subject.
- Students will exhibit competency in basic office skills and professionalism in a practicum setting.
- Students will demonstrate appropriate Human Relations skills in customer and co-worker interactions.
- Students will create and maintain spreadsheets, database and word processing documents commonly used in businesses.
- Students will staff and equip an office, along with completing a budget.
- Students will solve business math calculations using an electronic calculator.