Associate of Applied Science Degree: (MAS-AAS)
College Certificate: (MAS-CERT)
About the Program
The Medical Administrative Specialist Program prepares students for work in the office of a doctor, clinic, hospital, or for employment wherever knowledge of medical terminology, professional procedures and ethics is required. It also provides excellent preparation for administrative positions in any business. The status of Certified Medical Administrative Specialist can be acquired upon completion of the required job experience and written examinations. To graduate from the program, a student must receive a grade of C or higher in all program courses.
Career Potentials include, but are not limited to: Medical Administrative Assistant, Clinical Administrative Coordinator, Patient Appointment Scheduler, Medical Receptionist, Medical Records Clerk, Medical Secretary, Health Unit Coordinator, Medical Billing Specialist, Insurance Claims Processor, Program Assistant, Admitting/Discharge Clerk, Department/Clinic Assistant, and General Office Receptionist.
Program Goals:
- To understand all aspects of the Medical Administrative Specialist field including medical terminology as well as billing and coding
- To understand the different types of communication in the healthcare industry (therapeutic, doctor/patient, multi-cultural, electronic systems, etc.)
Program Outcomes:
After successful completion of Medical Administrative Specialist, you will be able to function as an important member of the healthcare team in the area of office administration. You will also learn how to do the following:
- Communicate in the healthcare industry, including therapeutic and multicultural communication
- Reduce occupational hazards in the workplace, including bloodborne pathogens
- Safeguard patient confidentiality in the computerized medical office, discover the importance of the medical record, and learn the ambulatory use of the electronic medical record (EMR)
- Screen and take appropriate messages and fax confidential information
- Use different types of patient scheduling systems
- Recognize the contents of the medical record, including SOAP notes, consultations, discharge summaries and operative reports and distinguish what makes them accurate and complete
- Learn the aspects of payables and receivables and become familiar with bookkeeping and practice management software
After successful completion of Medical Administrative Specialist, you will be able to do the following:
- Adhere to legal concepts, such as advance directive, living will, power of attorney, and guardianship
- Explain the HIPAA Privacy Rule
- Safeguard and disclose protected health information (PHI)
- Recognize the implications of health insurance fraud and abuse
- Discover the five models of managed care organizations
- Assign accurate medical billing codes from the ICD-9-CM, CPT, and HCPCS Level II coding manuals
- Assign accurate medical billing codes from the ICD-10-CM Official Draft Code Set
- Develop an insurance claim
- Use the electronic data interchange (EDI)
- Recognize health insurances delivered by private companies and government-sponsored programs
Admission Requirements
- Students are admitted to the program during the Fall semester. Students must have the Program’s approval, a completed application, and other required information submitted by the required due date. After the application deadline, any remaining openings will be filled on a first come basis to qualified applicants.
Students are required to do the following:
- Fulfill all WCCCD admission requirements
- Successfully complete a minimum of 12 college credits with a “C” or better and/or ACCUPLACER® scores that fulfill program requirements
- Declare intent to enter the Medical Administrative Specialist program on the WCCCD Application for Admission
- Must complete a physical exam and other health requirements
- Complete and pass a background check
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