Medical Office Assisting, Associate in Applied Science

The Peninsula College Associate in Applied Science (AAS) Medical Office Assisting program provides training for adults seeking employment in the administrative areas of medical offices, clinics, hospitals, home health, extended care facilities, and other healthcare settings. Graduates are likely to find employment in these areas, while advanced degrees may provide access to a wider range of career opportunities in healthcare. Technology skills are integrated to prepare students for medical office employees, including electronic medical billing and coding, bookkeeping and accounting, and charting in patient records. Immunizations and background checks must be completed prior to the student being placed into a local healthcare facility for their required externship/practicum experience(s).

Goals

• Prepare students for a variety of medical office-related jobs.
• Offer a medical office assistant program that aligns with recommendations from local employers and industry trends.
• Meet the growing need for trained Rotating Allied Health Program Planning medical office assistants.

Upon completion of the Medical Office Assistant program, students will be able to:

• Function professionally in a legal and ethical manner as a medical office assistant/specialist
• Use medical terminology correctly
• Effectively communicate with other healthcare team members, patients, and physicians
• Procure and distribute office supplies
• Manage documents, both paper and electronic, in a medical office
• Demonstrate knowledge and competency in ICD-10 coding and electronic medical billing of multiple insurance
• Follow laws and regulations regarding patient privacy and confidentiality
• Format and generate various documents required in a medical office setting

Sample Schedule

This Sample Schedule is provided as a guide for a full-time student starting in the fall quarter whose goal is to earn the Associate in Applied Science (AAS). The typical student schedule is based on entering the program during the fall quarter, however, some programs allow students to enter in the winter or spring as well. Since not all do, please confirm with an advisor whether this program must be started during a specific quarter or not.

First Quarter (Fall)

• English Composition I
• Research in Health and Social Sciences
• Medical Terminology for Medical Assistants
• Medical Billing and Coding I

Second Quarter (Winter)

• Applied Math for Professional & Tech Programs I
• First Aid for Healthcare Providers
• Medical Office Procedures
• Medical Billing and Coding II

Third Quarter (Spring)

• Introduction to Microsoft Word
• Medical, Ethical, and Legal Communication
• Medical Office Assistant Extern and Capstone

Fourth Quarter (Fall)

• Introduction to Business
• Introduction to Microsoft Excel
• Composition II

Fifth Quarter (Winter)

• Introduction to Microsoft Powerpoint
• Interpersonal Communication
• Technical Writing
• Human Relations

Sixth Quarter (Spring)

• Health and Wellness
• General Psychology
• Introduction to Sociology

There is a high demand for professional medical office assistants and an increasing number of employers are seeking skilled medical office assistants. Graduates may find positions in a variety of healthcare settings including medical offices, clinics, hospitals, home health, and extended care facilities. Wages often begin at around $20.71 per hour. Potential positions include:

• Medical office assistant
• Medical Secretary