Erie Community College, State University of New York

MEDICAL OFFICE ASSISTANT

Program Description

Rapid changes in health care delivery have increased the demand for competent medical assistants. Graduates of the Medical Office Assistant curriculum are prepared for employment in a variety of medical and health care settings. Specifically, medical office assistants are ready to assume office administration responsibilities without direct supervision, to serve as receptionists, to assist in clinical areas, to perform laboratory tests and to provide secretarial services.

The goal of this program is to produce graduates who possess the necessary knowledge of contemporary medical office practice and the skills to be an efficient medical office assistant. Through a series of specialized courses, laboratory work and practical field experience, students acquire the competencies and standards of proficiency which are required for certification by the American Association of Medical Assistants. The program also provides a broad base of information which allows graduates to successfully continue their education in related medical field.

This curriculum includes a 24.5-credit hour core of liberal arts, social science, and science courses chosen from the areas of anatomy/physiology, microbiology, social science, and English. The remainder of the coursework has been designed to build clinical, administrative, and secretarial skills. Lectures help students build a professional vocabulary of medical terminology and teach present medical ethics, basic medical assisting theory and concepts. College laboratories are well equipped with modern instrumentation to allow students extensive and varied training in a simulated office setting. Students learn clinical office assisting techniques and clinical diagnostic procedures on campus. Computers are used by the students in these laboratories for patient data recording and for retrieval of patient data. In office management and administration courses, computers are used for the word processing of written communications and for office billing procedures. Courses in medical transcription, medical coding and reimbursement provide additional useful skills. In the final semester, students participate in an off-campus supervised externship. Each student is assigned to an approved physician’s office for additional training for a minimum of 160 clock hours. Students shall not receive pay for the externship experience.

Upon successful program completion, graduates may apply to take the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) national certification examination. Graduates passing this Certified Medical Assistant examination  may  use the credential MOA, CMA.

Many graduates of the Medical Office Assistant Program immediately assume positions as medical assistants in private doctors’ offices. Others work in various health care facilities. Many graduates continue their education and transfer to a four-year institution to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing, medical technology, medical records, administration, or other related medical fields.

Accreditation

The Medical Office Assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), on recommendation of the Curriculum Review Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants’ Endowment (AAMAE) Committee on Accreditation for Medical Assistant Education.

Degree: Associate in Applied Science
Hegis: 5214
Curriculum Code: 0602
Total Degree Credits: 69.5
Campus Location: North
Health Sciences Division