Medical Office Specialist

Students receive hands-on training using financial, scheduling, word processing and clinical database software packages utilizing a microcomputer. Prerequisite: Keyboarding skills.

Students learn the principles of therapeutic communications, human growth and development and their application to specific medical circumstances.

This course introduces students to the profession of the administrative medical assistant and how it fits within the health care environment and health care teams. Topics include legal and ethical concepts, telephone and scheduling techniques, medical records management rules and regulations, and how to create a comfortable facility atmosphere. Students enhance their ability to research using the Internet and library, create written reports and make round-table presentations. Prerequisite: BT 231.

Medical diagnostic coding. Transformation of written and verbal descriptions of diseases, conditions, and injuries into alpha-numeric codes by applying guidelines, conventions, and instructional notes from the International Classification of Disease, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) coding manual. The guidelines will be applied by coding typical patent encounter diagnostic statements. This class prepares students for entry level diagnostic coding in a medical office, hospital, or clinic setting. Prerequisite: HED 104 with a 2.0 or better.

This course is designed to introduce the student to major nationwide and local medical insurance programs. Assists the student in understanding insurance terminology, different types of coverage, consents for release of information, assignment of benefits, referral and preauthorization, and correct completion of the CMS1500 and UB04 billing forms. Course work will include medical insurance requirements for billing, confidentiality, coding, and claims processing. Students also experience different medical reimbursement methodologies, learn how to read an EOB/remittance advice, write an appropriate appeal letter, and compute coinsurance amounts. Prerequisite: MSEC 223 with a 2.0 or better.

The focus of this class is to introduce the student to medical office procedures using a computerized medical office management system. An interactive approach will familiarize the student with computerized account management and help develop confidence and the necessary skills to become succesful users of medical account management software. Students enter patient demographic information, charges and payments into a computerized medical software system. CMS1500 billing forms are produced as well as patient statements. Daily and monnthly financial reports for a medical practice are also covered. Prerequisite: ACCT 151 and BUS 103.

This course introduces the fundamentals of medical word processing including transcription of medical office correspondence and reports (medicolegal, history and physical, consultation, and discharge summaries). Students learn various mechanical formats used to prepare these reports. The application of medical terminology to develop familiarity with spoken terms is emphasized. Prerequisite: Typing speed of 50 wpm.

Students develop skills in transcription of medical dictation and word processing software using personal computers to transcribe selected medical correspondence and medical reports. A review of language skills including vocabulary, grammar and punctuation, capitalization, numbers, figures and abbreviations is presented. Transcription of reports (history and physical, operative, and discharge summaries) is emphasized. An academic study of related terminology also is included. Prerequisite: MSEC 131 with a 2.0 or better.

Students continue to develop the skills in the transcription of dictation utilizing proofreading and editing skills while meeting progressively demanding accuracy and productivity standards. Transcription of pathology, radiology, diagnostic testing and industrial medical reports is emphasized. An academic study of related terminology is included. Prerequisite: MSEC 132 with a 2.0 or better.

This class will explore the difference between front-end and back-end speech recognition editing as well as productivity and quality issues. This will also include the role of SR technology in the medical record and the implications of SR technology on the future of the medical transcription industry. Prerequisite: MSEC 131.

Students must complete a minimum of 264 hours of on-the job medical transcription training. Consultations, histories and physicals, operative reports, discharge summaries, and other medical reports are emphasized. Prerequisite: MSEC 133.

This course covers complex coding and auditing scenarios for physician practices. Students will learn to audit Evaluation and Management services and abstract information from Operative Reports for proper coding. Assignment of appropriate diagnosis codes, and HCPCS codes for medical supplies is also covered. Prerequisite: MSEC 223 with a 2.0 or better.

Medical procedural coding. A lecture class, MSEC 223 will provide knowledge of coding rules for the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) manual, and a more in-depth knowledge and practical application using the International Classification of Diseases, Clinical Modification 10th revision (ICD-10-CM) diagnostic coding system. These rules will be applied by coding typical patient encounters. The students will code using "real life" documents such as History and Physicals, Chart Notes, Consultation Reports, Operative Reports, etc. Prerequisite: MSEC 123 with a 2.0 or better.

This course prepares students for the Certified Professional Coder exam by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). The course includes a review of anatomy and terminology, ICD-10-CM coding, HCPCS coding, Evaluation and Management coding, use of modifiers, CPT® coding review for each subsection in the surgery section of CPT®, as well as anesthesia, radiology, and pathology/laboratory coding. Successful testing techniques, as well as practice exams are included in the course. Prerequisite: MSEC 221 with a 2.0 or better.

Introductory transcription course designed to provide students with a basic working knowledge of transcription through various types of medical reports, as well as reinforce medical documentation practices, including HIPAA and other legal aspects of medical records. The course also reviews and reinforces the use of medical language (terminology, abbreviations, acronyms, etc.), as well as proper English grammar, spelling, and punctuation practices in medical documentation. Prerequisite: Typing speed of 40 wpm with 4 or fewer errors. Successful completion of BT 105, 106, 196, HED 104, 105, and MSEC 108.

This course continues with the applications introduced in MSEC 240 with an emphasis on transcription of special medical reports, referral letters and medical office dictation. Accuracy and speed in transcribing tapes are stressed. An academic study of related terminology is presented. Prerequisite: MSEC 240.

Students share office experiences, utilize problem-solving skills and participate in career-related activities. Prerequisite: Medical clerical careers students only and MSEC 121 or 133. If earning a medical secretary degree, this must be your final quarter. Concurrent enrollment in MSEC 287.

Students are placed in Spokane area medical offices to observe and perform receptionist duties in the medical office environment. Prerequisite: Medical office specialist degree or currently enrolled in the final quarter of the medical office receptionist or medical office insurance clerk programs. Students must also have three "recommended-for-internship" SEA forms.

Students observe and apply clasroom skills in a Spokane area health care provider office environment for a minimum of 99 hours. Prerequisite: Medical Billing and Coding students.

Students observe and apply classroom skills in a Spokane area health care provider office environment for a minimum of 99 hours. Prerequisite: Medical Office Specialist students currently enrolled in their final quarter.