Associate Degree Programs

Medical Administration

The Medical Administration program meets the needs of students who wish to gain the competencies and skills necessary to prepare them to begin or advance careers in health offices as administrative support personnel. The program leads to the Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree. Graduates of the program will be prepared to enter a wide variety of entry positions in the field of medical administration.

Students will acquire the knowledge and competencies needed to use computers, as well as administrative, interpersonal, technical, and presentation skills. These skills enable graduates of the program to function as effective professionals in the health care offices that make up today’s complex and changing medical service environment, and to advance in their careers.

Medical Administration Program A.A.S. Degree #64*

*Students may enroll for this program in the online learning format.

Specialization in Medical Coding

Health information coders, medical record coders, coder/abstractors, or coding specialists assign a code to each diagnosis and procedure, relying on their knowledge of disease processes. They may use classification systems software to assign the patient to one of several hundred Diagnosis Related Groups (DRGs) which determines the amount for which the hospital will be reimbursed. In addition to the DRG system, coders use other coding systems, such as those required for ambulatory care settings, physicians’ offices, or long term care facilities. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook graduates with a strong background in medical coding will be in particularly high demand.

In addition to all other Medical Administration degree requirements, the Medical Coding specialization requires 15 credits in Medical Coding related courses.

Required Courses

Medical Assisting

Medical Assisting is one of the fastest growing occupations. The employment market for graduates of the program increases as the number of health care facilities where medical assistants are employed – including hospitals, clinics, group medical practices, rehabilitation and long term care facilities, and home care – continues to grow.

Medical assistants perform routine clinical and administrative duties to ensure the smooth operations of the healthcare facility. Students will acquire necessary competencies such as taking vital signs and electrocardiograms, drawing blood, and preparing patients for examinations and procedures; and will receive training for certification in first aid, CPR and defibrillation. Students will also acquire competencies in record keeping, medical coding, billing, and insurance.

Academic Requirements:

Courses are offered in a defined sequence.

A grade of “C” or better is required in the following courses for progression in the major: HC 108, HC 126, HC 105*, HC 110*, HC 210*, HC 230*, HC 292*, HA 106, HC 214 and HC 180*. Courses followed by an asterisk (*) are for majors only.

Clinical components of this program are available only during the day Monday through Friday.

Medical Assisting A.A.S Degree #62

Pharmacy Technician

Expansion in healthcare as a whole and in pharmacy in particular has created an increasing demand for pharmacy technicians. This results in an increased need for technicians to be properly educated and trained to fulfill those expanded duties. There are vital roles for pharmacy technicians and the clinical duties depend on the practice setting. Under the direction of a licensed pharmacist, technicians assist with the dispensing of prescriptions in community pharmacies. In hospitals, managed care organizations, long term care facilities and other healthcare settings, technicians perform additional specialized tasks, such as compounding intravenous admixtures, drug distribution and assisting in nursing unit inspections. Technicians are also responsible for establishing patient profiles and adjudicating insurance issues. They serve as liaison between the pharmacy and outside contacts such as medication vendors and third party payers.program instills in students the knowledge and skills to ensure an understanding of medical and pharmaceutical technology, pharmacology, pharmacy record keeping, pharmaceutical techniques, and pharmacy law and ethics. A practicum is required so students can gain hands-on experience in a variety of pharmacy practice sites.

Academic requirements:

Courses are offered in a defined sequence.

A grade of “C” or better is required in the following courses for progression in the major: PT-101*, PT-125*, PT-150*, PT-208*, PT-225*, PT-250*, PT-295*, HC-108, HC-126, HC-220, and HC-320. Courses followed by an asterisk (*) are for majors only.

Clinical components of this program are available only during the day Monday through Friday.

Pharmacy Technician A.A.S. Degree # 63