Medical Office Assistant, Certificate of Completion
45 credits
The Medical Office Assistant Program is provided by the Office Professions Department.
Program Description
The Medical Office Assistant Certificate of Completion prepares students for office employment in healthcare facilities. Students will gain skills and knowledge in specific courses geared toward the healthcare industry, including medical terminology, legal and ethical issues, foundations of health insurance, and patient registration. Students will enter information into a software simulation program, which is similar to what is used in hospitals, clinics, etc. Students also complete a practical experience in a local clinic, hospital or other healthcare facility.
The Certificate of Completion also focuses on skills & knowledge needed for entry-level general office employment including records management and filing, math and calculator skills, word processing, database, presentation, and spreadsheet applications, customer service skills, business writing skills, and general workplace competencies necessary for office positions.
Career Opportunities
Students completing the Medical Office Assistant Certificate will qualify for office positions in healthcare facilities including hospitals, tribal health facilities, health clinics, etc. According to the Montana Department of Labor and Industry, for Healthcare Support Occupations the current average salary in Montana is $30,720.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of the Certificate of Completion in Medical Office Assistant, graduates will be able to:
- Define medical terms and identify body systems and functions.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the ethical/legal aspects of medical office employment.
- Manage the registration process for patient registration in an electronic medical records via an online simulation.
- Demonstrate knowledge of health insurance to assist in the patient registration process.
- Create and maintain spreadsheets, database, presentations, and word processing documents commonly used in businesses.
- Discuss considerations for Native American/Alaska Native populations in the workplace.
Curriculum
Fall
Winter
| CAPP140 | Word Processing | 3 |
| CAPP162 | Data Management Systems | 3 |
| HIEP140 | Health Insurance | 2 |
| NASD101 | History of Indians in the United States | 3 |
| OFED142 | Professional Relationships in the Workplace | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Spring
The Medical Office Assistant Program has designated the following courses as embedding the "4 Cs" competencies: Communication: OFED 261 and OFED 142. Critical Thinking: OFED 130, CAPP 105. Cultural Understanding: CAPP 140 and CAPP 170. Citizenship: HIEP 121 and OFED 142. Information Literacy is taught in CAPP 105.
Total Credit Hours: 45