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.

This course introduces the identification of diagnoses and services by code. Transformation of verbal descriptions of diseases, injuries and procedures into numeric designations is presented using the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) coding books. Prerequisite: HED 105 or concurrent with HED 105.

This course introduces major, nationwide and local medical insurance programs. Students learn to simplify the process of filing claim forms and gain an understanding of medical insurance requirements for billing, confidentiality, coding, referrals and professional fees. Students also develop an "insurance information" notebook for future reference. Prerequisite: HED 104 and concurrent enrollment in MSEC 125.

This course introduces medical office billing procedures using medical management software. An interactive approach allows students to open new accounts, post typical business transactions, and open and close posting cycles. An overview of account aging, billing and collection procedures is included. Prerequisite: ACCT 151, BUS 103 and concurrent enrollment in MSEC 124.

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 continues with the concepts introduced in MSEC 123. A more comprehensive study of the ICD-9-CM and CPT coding systems is presented. Prerequisite: MSEC 123.

Students learn to process, type and transcribe a variety of office reports and other dictation including chart notes, medical reference letters, medicology reports, consultation letters, interoffice correspondence, manuscripts and abstracts. Prerequisite: Typing speed of 40 wpm with 3 or fewer errors by exam. HED 105 or concurrent enrollment.

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 classroom skills in a Spokane area health care provider office environment for a minimum of 66 hours. Prerequisite: Medical office insurance clerk certificate students currently enrolled in their final quarter. Must have three "recommended-for-internship" SEA forms.

Students observe and apply classroom skills in a Spokane area health care provider office environment for a minimum of 66 hours. Prerequisite: Medical Office Specialist degree students. Must have three "recommended-for-internship" SEA forms.