Administrative Medical Assistant

The Administrative Medical Assistant (AMA) program prepares students for office work in physicians’ offices, clinics, hospitals, or other medical facilities. Administrative assistants in medical and healthcare offices provide similar support services as do other administrative office professions but with additional coursework to prepare for success in this environment. All administrative support staff require excellent written and verbal communication skills; proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet, database, desktop publishing, and voice recognition software; knowledge of accounting; and records management. AMA students will, in addition, become skilled in use of medical  and pharmacology terminology, insurance reimbursement systems; and procedures specific to the medical/healthcare office. Duties may include scheduling and receiving patients; editing or transcribing medical reports; obtaining patient data; maintaining medical records; handling telephone calls, correspondence, reports and manuscripts; and perhaps later assuming responsibility for office management.

An individual who wants to become an administrative assistant in the medical/healthcare field must have the ability to get along well with people and the desire to work in a sometimes stressful medical atmosphere. A successful administrative medical assistant must be reliable, enjoy detail work, and be able to multitask.

During the second year, a student’s practicum experience will consist of 180 hours as a medical administrative assistant in a medical office, clinic, hospital or other medical-related facility. Students are trained to work independently with minimal supervision. This opportunity provides a bridge between classroom and career.

This program does not prepare students  to become a Certified Medical Assistant, a position which assists the physician in patient care.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete an Associate of Applied Science in Administrative Medical Assistant will:

• Function effectively as a healthcare team member and/or leader.
• Interact effectively in oral and written communications.
• Use computers and other technology proficiently for administrative tasks.
• Demonstrate positive interpersonal interactions and diplomacy.
• Multi-task efficiently.
• Model professional and ethical behaviors, especially confidentiality and compassion.
• Participate in ongoing professional development.
• Solve problems using a variety of appropriate tools.
• Identify process improvement skills.
• Have a working knowledge of medical terminology, body systems, electronic health records, billing, and coding.

Program Requirements

The Administrative Medical Assistant program is designed to be completed in two years of full-time attendance. This assumes that the student has placed at or above the necessary levels on the Computerized Placement Test (CPT) or has taken the necessary coursework to place into the required program courses. It is advisable to take the placement test as early as possible to identify courses needed prior to enrolling in this program. Students should work with an advisor to interpret the test scores and get help in planning their program.

All courses must be completed with a “C” or better. Courses may be repeated one time to accomplish this requirement.

Students may need to complete immunizations, a urine drug screen, a criminal background check, and specific CPR certification in order to participate in the practicum portion of the program.