Medical Office Assistant

CIP Code:  31.51.0801.02

Program Description: 

The Medical Office Assistant (MOA) program provides training for each student to gain the knowledge and skills necessary for entry-level employment in the healthcare field. The Medical Office Assistant program prepares students to become members of the healthcare team and obtain employment in healthcare facilities, such as physicians’ offices, medical clinics, hospitals, and specialty practices, in a variety of positions. The Medical Office Assistant program is 12 months in length. The curriculum includes administrative and clinical competencies. Clinical experiences include a variety of general and specialty practices. Graduates will be multi-skilled with knowledge of insurance codes, medical billing practices, medical office administration skills, medication administration, basic patient care, phlebotomy, and electrocardiograph (EKG) skills.

Program Outcomes:   

At each completion point in Medical Office Assistant, completers/graduates will be skilled for an entry-level position in various healthcare careers. Certificate and diplomas available from TCAT-Harriman are the Medical Administrative Assistant certificate, Phlebotomist certificate, EKG Technician certificate, and the Medical Office Assistant diploma. 

 After completing the Medical Office Assistant program, students will be able to: 

1. Outline the typical responsibilities of a medical office assistant, describe the personal and professional ethics required for success in this profession, and explain how medical office assistants are impacted by HIPAA and other healthcare-related regulations. 
    
2. Describe how a medical front office is typically managed, focusing on administrative processes and procedures. 
    
3. Explain the procedures to follow to create and maintain accurate medical documentation, especially with regards to patient records, procedural and diagnostic coding, insurance claim forms, and other healthcare documentation.
    
4. Identify and describe the medical office assistant’s role in standard patient interactions in the medical office, including in-office diagnostic tests and procedures, specimen sampling, medication administration, and the preparation of patients for examination. 
    
5. Describe universal precautions and explain how to maintain a safe environment in the medical office. 
    
6. Perform a variety of clinical skills/procedures congruent with the standards of practice of a medical assistant.  

Professional Accrediting Body: Council on Occupational Education

State Agency/Entity Oversight: Tennessee Board of Regents; Tennessee Higher Education Commission

Applicable Certification/License or Industry-recognized Certificates to Be Awarded:

The Medical Office Assistant program allows graduates to take five different certifications through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). These certifications include Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA); Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS); Phlebotomy Technician (CPT); EKG Technician (CET); and Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA). 

Clock Hours: 1296

Award Type: Diploma