Medical Office Administration, AS

Mission

The mission of the Associate of Science in Medical Office Administration program is to prepare students to become a multi-skilled part of the medical office team. In this program, students work to develop the skills and knowledge to perform administrative tasks, communicate effectively, instruct patients about billing and insurance, and manage emergency situations should they arise.

Program Overview

The Medical Office Administration program is designed to promote development of knowledge and skills relating to medical office operations and administration.  The curriculum includes oral and written communication, medical terminology, health care regulations and compliance, medical office procedures, insurance and billing, healthcare delivery systems, healthcare management principles, and computer office software skills. The program requires completion of 90.5 total quarter credit hours, which can be completed (full-time in consecutive quarters) over a period of 18 months.  All courses are delivered online in an asynchronous format. Only courses in which a grade of C or better is earned will count toward graduation requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates completing the Associate of Science in Medical Office Administration program will accomplish the following outcomes:

1. Demonstrate appropriate critical thinking, time management, interpersonal communication, business communication, and technical skills necessary to provide competent administrative ability in multidisciplinary care settings.
2. Demonstrate skills necessary to assist the medical office with patient communication and administrative functions.
3. Demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of medical office management, finances, and insurance plans.
4. Demonstrate ability to use appropriate office software and technology.    

Admissions Requirements

Applicants interested in this program are required to visit the college and meet individually with an admissions representative and program faculty to ascertain if their goals can be met by the college. Prospective students declaring AS Medical Office Administration as their major must be generally admitted to South College and meet the following requirements to be considered for full admission to the program:

1. Meet the minimum requirements for general admission to South College.
2. Complete the South College AS in Medical Office Administration program application.
3. Complete AHS 1010 Medical Terminology , AHS 1200 Anatomy & Physiology for Allied Health , & MAT 1100 College Algebra  with a minimum grade of “C” or better in a maximum of three attempts in each course. Withdrawal (W) grades are considered attempts.
4. Meet specific health and/or essential functions pertinent to the responsibilities performed by the Medical Office Administration personnel.
5. Be able to commit to full attendance and participation in a rigorous educational program that requires significant out-of-class preparation time.

Functional Capacities

Applicants to the AS Medical Office Administration program must be able to meet the following functional capacities.

Function	Requirement	Examples of Tasks
Vision	Adequate to ensure safety of self and others in medical office settings.	Should possess sufficient visual acuity to perform close and distant visual activities involving objects, persons, and paperwork.
Hearing	Adequate and effective communication with others in close proximity (3 feet) and remote areas (15 feet).	Should be able to verbally communicate with patients, clinical staff, and others. Should be able to have telephone communication and conversation with patients and staff. Should be able to respond to beepers and overhead announcements. Should be able to respond and react immediately to verbal instructions and requests.
Gross motor strength and coordination	Adequate to allow effective mobility of self, and office equipment.	Should be able to work in a standing or sitting position for long hours. Should be able to frequently bend, stoop and squat. Should be able to use hands, wrists, and arms to move objects up to 20 lbs. Should be able to move freely and physically maneuver in a medical office environment.
Fine motor strength and coordination	Adequate to allow use of medical office equipment maintaining a safe environment to patients and others.	Sufficient manual dexterity to operate office equipment.
Critical thinking ability	Adequate to demonstrate sound judgment in simulated and clinical office situations; adaptability to cope with constant environmental challenges / patient information.	Problem solving, demonstrate ability to collaborate in teams, demonstrate ability for patient confidentiality and ethical conduct.
Inter-personal skills	Adequate to facilitate effective working relationships with peers, co-workers, patients, and families.	Ability to handle stressful situations calmly and professionally. Should be able to provide patient education. Should be able to work in a stressful environment.
Communication	Adequate to effectively communicate with patients, their families, peers, and clinical staff.	Should be able to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, using appropriate grammar, spelling, and vocabulary and word usage. Should be able to comprehend verbal and written directions and make appropriate notations. Should be able to access patient/client information from written or electronic record. Should be able to document using legible handwriting, a desktop computer, or a portable device.

Students who believe that they will not be able to meet one or more of these requirements without accommodation or modification must notify the AS MOA Program Director/MA Department Chair, and a determination will be made on a case-by-case basis whether reasonable accommodation may be made. Accommodation granted when a student is generally admitted to South College does not guarantee that this modification will apply to admission to the AS MOA program.

 

The Associate of Science in Medical Office Administration is offered at the Knoxville campus (Hybrid) and Online.