Healthcare Office Specialist

The Healthcare Office Specialist is a one-year program preparing people for entry-level positions in medical offices or hospitals working as receptionists, medical records technicians, health information technicians, documentation specialists (transcriptionists) admitting registrars, and other office administrative support positions.

A person wanting to become a healthcare office specialist should have the ability to get along well with people and be comfortable working in a medical/healthcare atmosphere. A successful healthcare office specialist must have excellent written and interpersonal communication skills, be computer literate, highly organized, and detail-oriented.

All required courses for the Healthcare Office Specialist certificate can be applied toward the two-year Associate of Applied Science Administrative Medical Assistant degree. Many students have chosen to continue their studies, take additional courses for more in-depth coverage of topics, and participate in cooperative work experience to obtain the AAS.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete a one-year Certificate in Healthcare Office Specialist 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.
• Manage multi-tasks 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, insurance, billing, and coding

Program Requirements

This program is designed to be completed in one year 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.