The Medical Administrative Professional program prepares students for entry-level employment in medical office and healthcare administrative settings. Instruction includes medical office procedures, HIPAA compliance, electronic health records, medical coding, and health insurance practices. Students develop skills necessary to perform administrative functions in physician offices, hospitals, clinics, surgical centers, and government agencies. An internship in a medical facility is recommended to provide practical work experience.

Academic and Career Pathway

Health Sciences

Contact Information

Chair: Alison Phinney Dean: Danielle Lauria https://www.miracosta.edu/academics/degree-and-certificate-programs/health-sciences/medical-administrative-professional/index.html

Department: Nursing and Allied Health Office: Building OC5100, 760.757.2121 x 6466

Full-Time Faculty

Rich Dicker

Associate Degree

Associate in Arts Degree

Medical Office Professional

Students may earn the above-named associate degree by completing a certificate of achievement and the general education courses required for MiraCosta College's Associate in Arts degree (see Associate Degrees). Students should meet with a MiraCosta counselor to identify required courses and to develop a written educational plan for the specific degree or certificate they wish to earn.

Certificates

Certificate of Achievement

Medical Assistant

This certificate program provides students with the necessary skills and knowledge to work as medical assistants in a variety of practice settings, such as in medical offices, acute care settings, and clinical or allied health and ambulatory care facilities. Course content includes medical terminology, office systems and procedures, medical coding, medical insurance and billing, electronic health records, patient advocacy, HIPAA compliance, basic anatomy and physiology, medical back office support, and bloodborne and airborne pathogen standards.

Program Student Learning Outcome

Upon completion of the program, students will demonstrate proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing when communicating with patients and healthcare team; logically problem-solve in the healthcare setting; and become employable in an entry-level healthcare career upon completion of their certificate of achievement.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: Students must be admitted into the Medical Assistant program.
Required courses:
MAP 50	Introduction to Medical Administrative Careers	3
MAP 56	Introduction to Patient Advocacy	3
MAP 60	Introduction to the Electronic Health Record	3
MAP 62	Medical Coding	3
MAP 64	Medical Insurance and Billing	3
MAP 70	Bloodborne and Airborne Pathogen Standards	1
MAP 80	Medical Assistant--Clinical Back Office I	3
MAP 82	Medical Assistant--Clinical Back Office II	3
MAP 90	Medical Assistant Clinical Preceptorship	4
NURS 151	Body Systems Survey for Health Professions	3
NURS 153	Pathophysiology for Health Professions	3
NURS 155	Basic Medical Terminology	3
Total Units		35

Certificate of Achievement

Medical Office Professional

This certificate prepares students to work in medical office settings. Students receive training in HIPAA compliance procedures, basic computer competencies, medical office procedures, medical terminology, basic anatomy, electronic health record input and maintenance, and billing and coding practices used in hospitals, medical offices, and clinics.

Required courses:
MAP 50	Introduction to Medical Administrative Careers	3
MAP 60	Introduction to the Electronic Health Record	3
MAP 62	Medical Coding	3
MAP 64	Medical Insurance and Billing	3
Select at least 9 elective units from the following:		9
MAP 52	Medical Keyboarding and Document Production
MAP 56	Introduction to Patient Advocacy
MAP 70	Bloodborne and Airborne Pathogen Standards
MAP 80	Medical Assistant--Clinical Back Office I
MAP 292	Internship Studies
MAP 299	Occupational Work Experience Education
NURS 151	Body Systems Survey for Health Professions
NURS 155	Basic Medical Terminology
Total Units		21

Certificate of Achievement

Patient Care Coordinator

A Patient Care Coordinator is employed in outpatient facilities such as a doctor’s office or specialty clinic. Serving as a patient advocate, they perform a wide variety of functions, including monitoring and coordinating patient treatment plans, ensuring complete and accurate documentation and registration, coordinating continuity of care between services and insurance companies, discussing, consulting, and coordinating the needs of patients and family members, and facilitating the education of patients and family members about health conditions, medications, and instructions. This certificate is designed to offer students the skills and knowledge necessary for entry-level employment in outpatient healthcare settings.

Program Student Learning Outcome

Upon completion of this program, students will have developed skills necessary to obtain entry-level employment in a variety of outpatient medical office settings.

Course Requirements

Required courses:
HEAL 180	Introduction to Public Health	3
MAP 50	Introduction to Medical Administrative Careers	3
MAP 52	Medical Keyboarding and Document Production	3
MAP 56	Introduction to Patient Advocacy	3
MAP 60	Introduction to the Electronic Health Record	3
MAP 62	Medical Coding	3
MAP 64	Medical Insurance and Billing	3
MAP 70	Bloodborne and Airborne Pathogen Standards	1
NURS 153	Pathophysiology for Health Professions	3
NURS 155	Basic Medical Terminology	3
Complete 3 units from the following:		3
MAP 80	Medical Assistant--Clinical Back Office I
MAP 292	Internship Studies
MAP 299	Occupational Work Experience Education
NURS 151	Body Systems Survey for Health Professions
Total Units		31

Certificate of Proficiency

Medical Insurance and Coding Specialist

This certificate prepares students to perform specialized work related to insurance and coding in medical settings.

Program prerequisite:
NURS 155	Basic Medical Terminology	3
Required courses:
MAP 60	Introduction to the Electronic Health Record	3
MAP 62	Medical Coding	3
MAP 64	Medical Insurance and Billing	3
Select at least 3 elective units from the following:		3
MAP 50	Introduction to Medical Administrative Careers
MAP 52	Medical Keyboarding and Document Production
MAP 292	Internship Studies
Total Units		15

Certificate of Proficiency

Medical Office Specialist

This certificate prepares students to work in health information management offices. Students receive training in all of the medical administrative tasks performed to manage health records, patient management plans, and patient education. Students acquire skills and training to obtain employment in all health care facilities/settings.

Required courses:
MAP 50	Introduction to Medical Administrative Careers	3
MAP 56	Introduction to Patient Advocacy	3
MAP 60	Introduction to the Electronic Health Record	3
Select one course from the following:		3
MAP 52	Medical Keyboarding and Document Production
MAP 62	Medical Coding
MAP 64	Medical Insurance and Billing
Total Units		12

How to Read Course Descriptions

For more detailed information about a course, such as its content, objectives, and fulfillment of a degree, certificate, or general education requirement, please see the official course outline of record, available on the Courses and Programs webpage.