The Medical Front Office program is a 168 -clock hours hybrid course consisting of both online and in-person training. This program is designed to equip students with the skills necessary to provide excellent administrative support in a medical office environment. The curriculum provides comprehensive training in areas including Medical Office Procedures and Administration, Human Anatomy, Physiology, Medical Terminology, and Medical Front Office Computer Applications. Upon completion, students will be proficient in roles such as Medical Office Administration, Medical Front Office Assistant, Medical Office Specialist, Medical Receptionist, Front Desk Representative, and Health and Medical Administrative Services.
Medical Front Office Assistants work in various settings, including physicians’ offices, hospitals, outpatient care centers, insurance companies, and other facilities. They provide administrative support to medical staff such as medical coders, medical transcriptionists, and billing clerks. The program is delivered in a hybrid format, combining online and in-person sessions.
Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)
After completing this program, graduates will be able to:
• Understand procedures for managing a medical office, including patient scheduling, record keeping, and office management.
• Understand foundational human anatomy and physiology relevant to medical office administration.
• Proficiently communicate using medical terminology, including word parts, plurals, and abbreviations.
• Use computer applications commonly used in medical offices, including Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and Electronic Health Records (EHR).
• Execute medical billing and coding processes, including insurance claims and coding systems.
• Understand the legal and ethical guidelines in healthcare, including HIPAA, ADA, and OSHA regulations.
• Use practical skills in managing medical records, abstracting information from medical documents, and handling daily financial practices.
Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) 12 weeks (168 hours)
Week 1: Introduction to Healthcare Administration (14 Hours)
• Topics Covered:
• Overview of healthcare systems and settings
• Roles and responsibilities of a CMAA
• Essential administrative competencies
• Activities:
• Interactive lectures and discussions
• Case studies on the structure of the healthcare system
• Objectives:
• Understand the roles of a CMAA and healthcare systems
Week 2: Medical Terminology and Basic Anatomy (14 Hours)
• Topics Covered:
• Comprehensive medical terminology
• Basic anatomy and physiology overview
• Prefixes, suffixes, and root words
• Activities:
• Group exercises in medical terms
• Quizzes and flashcards for retention
• Objectives:
• Accurately use and understand medical terms relevant to patient care
Week 3: Healthcare Law and Ethics (14 Hours)
• Topics Covered:
• Legal requirements in medical administration (e.g., HIPAA, OSHA)
• Ethics and professionalism in healthcare
• Patient rights and confidentiality
• Activities:
• Analyzing legal case studies
• Discussions on real-world ethical dilemmas
• Objectives:
• Apply ethical and legal principles in administrative tasks
Week 4: Effective Communication Skills (14 Hours)
• Topics Covered:
• Verbal and non-verbal communication techniques
• Active listening and patient interaction skills
• Handling difficult conversations and situations
• Activities:
• Role-playing exercises
• Feedback sessions on communication
• Objectives:
• Demonstrate effective and compassionate patient communication
Week 5: Patient Scheduling and Reception Management (14 Hours)
• Topics Covered:
• Scheduling systems and software usage
• Managing appointments and patient flow
• Best practices in reception management
• Activities:
• Simulated patient scheduling scenarios
• Practice using scheduling software
• Objectives:
• Efficiently manage patient reception and scheduling processes
Week 6: Medical Records and Documentation (14 Hours)
• Topics Covered:
• Electronic Health Records (EHR) and manual systems
• Proper documentation and charting
• Record retention policies and confidentiality
• Activities:
• EHR software training
• Hands-on documentation practice
• Objectives:
• Maintain accurate and compliant medical records
Week 7: Health Insurance and Billing Practices (14 Hours)
• Topics Covered:
• Overview of insurance types and policies
• Insurance claims processing
• Billing, coding, and reimbursement practices
• Activities:
• Insurance form simulations
• Billing and coding exercises
• Objectives:
• Accurately process claims and understand billing procedures
Week 8: Medical Coding and Compliance (14 Hours)
• Topics Covered:
• ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS coding standards
• Common coding errors and compliance issues
• Upcoding and downcoding prevention
• Activities:
• Detailed coding exercises and case studies
• Compliance workshops
• Objectives:
• Apply correct coding practices while maintaining compliance
Week 9: Financial Management in a Medical Office (14 Hours)
• Topics Covered:
• Patient account management
• Accounts receivable and payable
• Financial reports and audits
• Activities:
• Case studies on financial operations
• Practical exercises in managing patient accounts
• Objectives:
• Effectively manage financial operations of a medical practice
Week 10: Office Management and Organizational Skills (14 Hours)
• Topics Covered:
• Office workflow and administrative procedures
• Time management and prioritization
• Managing supplies and resources
• Activities:
• Creation of workflow charts
• Office management simulations
• Objectives:
• Implement effective office management techniques
Week 11: Preparing for the CMAA Certification Exam (14 Hours)
• Topics Covered:
• Comprehensive review of course material
• Test-taking strategies and mock exams
• Addressing areas for improvement
• Activities:
• Practice exams and group review sessions
• Individual feedback and guidance
• Objectives:
• Be thoroughly prepared for the CMAA certification exam
Week 12: Career Readiness and Professional Development (14 Hours)
• Topics Covered:
• Resume writing and job search techniques
• Interview preparation and professionalism
• Continuing education and career growth paths
• Activities:
• Resume workshops
• Mock interviews and feedback
• Objectives:
• Develop strong job readiness and professional skills
Total Contact Hours: 168
This comprehensive 12-week syllabus ensures students are fully prepared for their certification and future roles as Medical Administrative Assistants. The program emphasizes critical administrative functions, compliance, and soft skills to meet and exceed industry standards.
