Program Title: Medical Administrative Secretary with Electronic Health Record
Credential: Diploma
Number of clock hours: 800
20 Hour Weeks
Length: 9 months / 37 weeks
Program Description:
The objective of the Medical Administrative Secretary Program is to prepare students for entry-level positions as medical administrative Secretaries in a variety of health care settings. There is an increasing demand and employment opportunities in Hospitals, Medical clinics, Dental offices, Chiropractic offices, Optical clinics, specialty clinics, Nursing and rehabilitation facilities, public health departments, social services, insurance offices and medical supply companies. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Medical Secretaries are expected to be one of the fastest growing occupations over the next decade. Students study various administrative procedures related to the medical office.
Students get instructions in business and medical communications, medical terminology, principles of health care operations, public relations and interpersonal communications, software applications, record-keeping and filing systems, scheduling and meeting planning, applicable policy and regulations, and professional standards and ethics. A large component of a medical secretary’s job includes the use of computers, copiers, faxes and other office technology. The course teaches keyboarding skills, basic personal computer operations and basic office technology operations. Medical Computerized Practice Management Software specific to creating medical appointments and patient billing systems are taught in this program. Medical Transcription skills are used by medical secretaries to produce a written record of a doctor’s dictation and it is taught in this program. Students are also introduced to Voice recognition Technology. Emphasis is placed on Electronic Health Record in this Course and successful students certified in Electronic Health record and Medical Administration. Students are trained on how to take vital Signs.
Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this program, the graduate will be able to:
- Process health insurance claim forms and managed care systems
- Understand the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards and the use of Universal Precautions in the medical office.
- Understand HIPAA regulations and privacy requirements.
- Become familiar with essential medical terminology.
- Perform various tasks with Microsoft Word and Excel programs.
- Understand disability income insurance and legal issues affecting insurance claims.
- Conduct basic administrative procedures performed in the Medical, dental office and hospitals.
- Handle appointment setting, telephone techniques and general correspondence and mail processing.
- Recognize and use essential Medical and dental terminology.
- Maintain all files and patient records.
- Understand all aspects of the collection process including collection letters, telephone calls and collection servicing agencies.
- Prepare and processing insurance claims including HMOs, PPOs and workers compensations plans.
- Properly code insurance forms and billing statements.
- Maintain a basic bookkeeping system.
- Organize patient records and maintain them manually and electronically.
- Take patient’s vital signs.
Program At-A-Glance:
The Medical Administrative Secretary Program is designed to prepare students for entry-level positions as medical administrative Secretaries in a variety of health care settings. Students study various administrative procedures related to the medical office, including patient processing and assessment, processing medical insurance claims, bill collections, and general office procedures utilized in various medical offices. In addition to acquiring manual and hands-on administrative skills, the program is designed to teach students computer and keyboarding skills which enables them to become familiar with the computerized technology that is becoming more visible in the 21st century medical office environment.
The medical professionals have come to rely upon well-trained medical administrative Secretaries for their
ability to handle managed-care insurance claims and the general financial functions of the medical office. This diploma prepares the graduate to fill entry-level positions in all medical facilities and insurance companies.
The program is divided into ten learning units called modules. Student must complete modules A through H before starting Module X, which is externship. A student can start with any module and continue in any sequence until all seven modules are successfully completed. Modules A through H stands alone as units of study and is not dependent upon previous training.
If students do not complete any portion of one of these modules, that entire module must be repeated. Upon successful completion of modules A through H, students participate in a 160-clock hour externship
(Module X). Completion of the Medical Administrative Secretary Program is acknowledged by the awarding of a diploma. Students will also qualify to take the National examinations to be certified as Certified Administrative Assistant (CMAA) and Certified Electronic Health Record Specialist (CEHRS).
Program Outline
| Module Number | Module Title | Lecture Hours | Lab Hours | Extern Hours | Total Clock Hours |
| Module A | Medical Administrative Secretary Profession, Law and Ethics and Business Communication. | 40 | 40 | 0 | 80 |
| Module B | Office Finance, Accounting, Business Mathematics and Business Practice. Introduction to Electronic Health Records (EHR) | 40 | 40 | 0 | 80 |
| Module C | Patient Processing and Assisting and Business Management. Electronic Health Records (EHR) | 40 | 40 | 0 | 80 |
| Module D | Medical Insurance, CPR and First Aid, Electronic Medical Record. | 40 | 40 | 0 | 80 |
| Module E | Insurance Plans and Collections Electronic Health Record (EHR) | 40 | 40 | 0 | 80 |
| Module F | Office Procedures | 40 | 40 | 0 | 80 |
| Module G | Patient Care and Computerized Practice Management. Electronic Health Record (EHR) | 40 | 40 | 0 | 80 |
| Module H | Dental Administrative Procedures. A/P of the Oral cavity Special diagnostic procedures in Hospitals and physician’s offices. Electronic Health Record (EHR) | 40 | 40 | 0 | 80 |
| Module X | Medical Administrative Assistant Externship | 0 | 0 | 160 | 160 |
| TOTAL | 320 | 320 | 160 | 800 |
Course Description
Module MAS-A: Medical Administrative Secretary Profession, Electronic Health Record and Business
Communication
Module A introduces the student to the Medical Administrative Secretary profession and the Healthcare team. Students will also learn about the history of the healthcare industry and the Medical Secretary Profession. Students are introduced to Electronic Health Records, Medisoft Software, HCPCS, ICD-9-CM and CPT of the Nervous System, the Senses and the integumentary system. This Module introduces the student to Communication and communication skills with patients, coworkers and special circumstances. Written Communication Patient Education with emphasis on promoting health and wellness is also taught in this Module. Students will also learn about Stress and Management of Stress. They will also learn about Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards and the use of universal precautions in the medical office and HIPPA. Students are introduced to the PDR. Students are introduced to basic principles of Medical Spelling and Terminology. Spelling and Terminology of the Anatomy and Physiology of Nervous System, the Senses and the Integumentary System. Microsoft Word and Excel 2007.
Lec Hrs: 040 Lab Hrs: 040 (Computer/Medisoft/Keyboarding Hrs: 020, Spelling/Skill building Hrs: 020)
Prerequisite: None
Module MAS-B: Office Finance , Accounting And Business Practices, Business Mathematics.
Module B introduces accounting functions essential to a medical environment. Students learn basic bookkeeping procedures and apply them to a bookkeeping project and accounting system. Students will also complete assignments writing payroll checks and keeping check registers. Handling Payroll, calculating and filing Taxes. Patient billing is an integral portion of the module, including tracing delinquent claims and insurance problem solving. Students study essential medical terminology, build on keyboarding and word processing skills, and become familiar with the self –directed job search process by
learning how to cultivate the right on-the-job attitude, assembling a working wardrobe and identifying the strategies it takes to become the best in your new job so that you can advance in your career. Introduction to Pharmacology and drug Administration. Students are introduced to Evaluation and Management CPT Codes ICD-9-CM and HCPCS. Introduction to Electronic Health Record. Microsoft Word and Excel 2007, Medisoft and HER are also studied.
Lec Hrs: 040 Lab Hrs: 040 (Computer/Keyboarding Hrs: 020, Spelling/Skill building Hrs: 020)
Prerequisite: None
Module MAS-C: Patient Processing and Medical Business Management
In Module C, students learn to set up patient records and maintain and organize them manually and electronically. Students become familiar with records management systems and develop skills in alphabetic filing and indexing, and appointment scheduling. Audit Patient Records and legal and Mandatory regulatory requirements are taught in this module. Students are taught to process Release of Information (ROI) requests for medical records and review of Medical records for demographic, insurance and information and every other information required to be in compliance is complete. Students are introduced electronic Medical Record (EMR). The basics of health insurance are introduced, as well the basic of coding with CPT HCPCS and ICD-9 codes with emphasis on the Digestive System. Students study essential medical terminology with emphasis on the Digestive System, build on keyboarding and word
processing skills, and become familiar with the self-directed job search process by identifying their personal career objective. Students are trained on EHR, Medisoft, Microsoft Word and Excel 2007.
Lec Hrs: 040 Lab Hrs: 040 (Computer/Medisoft/Keyboarding Hrs: 020, Spelling/Skill building Hrs: 020)
Prerequisite: None
Module MAS-D: Medical Insurance
Module D develops student proficiency in preparing and processing insurance claims. Students study insurance programs, including HMOs, PPOs, Medicare (Parts A,B,C,and D), Mdigap, Medicare and Medi-Medi, TRICARE, CHAMPVA and worker’s compensation plans. National coding systems used for claims processing are studied. Students learn to obtain information from patient charts and ledgers to complete insurance forms accurately. Students are given hypothetical insurance billing situations and select appropriate forms, codes, and procedures to process insurance claims for optimal reimbursement. Office & insurance collection strategies are also included. Students study essential medical terminology, build on keyboarding and word processing skills, and become familiar with the self-directed job search process by developing career networking techniques that will assist you in being successful in the medical field. Students are trained in vital signs, and a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) course is taught. Spelling and Terminology and CPT codes for the Respiratory, Cardiovascular System.
Lec Hrs: 040 Lab Hrs: 040 (Computer/Keyboarding Hrs: 020, Spelling/Skill building Hrs: 020)
Prerequisite: None
Module MAS-E: Insurance Plans and Collections
Module E develops student proficiency in preparing and processing insurance claims. The Medicaid, Medicare, TRICARE, and CHAMPVA programs are discussed. Students learn to obtain information from patient charts and ledgers to complete insurance forms accurately. They also focus on important aspects of the collection process including collection letters, telephone calls, and collection servicing agencies. Students study essential medical terminology, build on keyboarding and word processing skills, and become familiar with the self-directed job search process by identifying and demonstrating what a successful job interview contains and how to answer common interview questions accurately. Spelling and Terminology and CPT codes of the Urinary and Lymphatic System. ICD-9-CM, HCPCS Codes.
Lec Hrs: 040 Lab Hrs: 040 (Computer/Keyboarding Hrs: 020, Spelling/Skill building Hrs: 020)
Prerequisite: None
Module MASF: Office Procedures
In Module F, students are introduced to dictation and transcription. Emphasis is also placed on correspondence and mail processing, health information management and the medical facility environment. Students will also become familiar with disability income insurance and legal issues affecting insurance claims. In addition, students learn about the Health Insurance Accountability and Portability Act (HIPAA). Students study essential medical terminology, build on keyboarding and word processing skills, and become familiar with the self-directed job search by learning how to set their own career goals. Students are introduced to Medical law and Ethics in the Medical office. The difference between Law and Ethics. Patient physician contract, preventing Malpractice claims, Administrative duties and the Law. Federal Legislation affecting Health Care – The affordable Care act, Health Care quality improvement Act of 1986,Federal False Claims Act. Prescriptions, Medications and the Classification of Drugs and Controlled Substances and E-prescribing.
Lec Hrs: 040 Lab Hrs: 040 (Computer/Keyboarding Hrs: 020, Spelling/Skill building Hrs: 020)
Prerequisite: None
Module MASG: Patient Care, Electronic Health Record and Computerized Practice Management
Module G emphasizes computerized practice management, including file maintenance, patient records, bookkeeping and insurance. Students will learn the health insurance claim form and managed care systems. Hospital billing is introduced this module. Emphasis is laid on Electronic Health Records. Medisoft Software is emphasized. In addition, students learn basic techniques for taking patients vital signs. They learn OSHA standards and the use of universal precautions in the medical office. Students study essential medical terminology, build on keyboarding and word processing skills, and become familiar with the self-directed job search process by learning all about how to become and learn from mentoring. Students are trained on EHR, Medisoft, Microsoft Word and Excel 2007.
Lec Hrs: 040 Lab Hrs: 040 (Computer/Transcription/Keyboarding Hours: 020, Spelling/Skill building Hours: 020)
Prerequisite: None
Module MAS-H: Dental Administrative Procedures
Module H focuses on basic administrative procedures performed in the dental office. Students are introduced to the dental health team with emphasis on the tasks performed by the administrative support staff. Specialized procedures including appointment scheduling, bookkeeping, dental charting, processing patients, insurance billing and coding, and law and ethics are presented. Students are also given an introduction to radiography and radiation safety. Students will do vital signs. They discuss interpersonal skills and human relations, telephone techniques, and patient reception techniques. Students build on keyboarding and word processing skills, become familiar with essential dental terminology, and become familiar with the self-directed job search process by learning how to dress for success. Students are taught how to prepare Resume and Cover letters. Mock interviews are conducted for students. Students are trained on EHR, Medisoft, Microsoft Word and Excel 2007.
Lec Hrs: 040 Lab Hrs: 040 (Computer/Keyboarding Hrs: 020, Spelling/Skill building Hrs: 020)
Prerequisite: None
Module MAS-X – Medical Administrative Secretary Externship
Upon successful completion of modules A through I, students participate in a 160-hour externship at an approved facility. This course is 160 hours of supervised, practical, in-service experience in a medical facility, office or clinic in which the student practices direct application of all administrative functions of the medical administrative Secretary.
Lec Hrs: 000 Lab Hrs: 000 Other Hrs: 160
Prerequisite: MAS-A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H
